Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas is known for his memory, his broad range of interests going beyond economic issues to perhaps even esoteric. During Soviet times he was a mainstay of the trivia programs on the Estonian airwaves, ones that need not be confused with the shallow Jeopardies and Who wants to be a Millionaires, (the latter has, sadly, already appeared on Estonian TV screens).

It would not be far-fetched to assume that Kallas has familiarity with the works of the Victorian era satirist Samuel Butler. The Brit is most famous for his 1872 work “Erewhon”, an excursion to a place that, of course is nowhere, spelled backwards. Butler emulated Swift and his Gulliver’s Travels in lampooning British society, the industrial age, and even the survival of the fittest — some contemporaries saw Erewhon as an attempt to reduce Darwin’s theories to absurdity. Butler prophesized not only the extent to which humans would become dependent on machines but also on their more and more rapid development. In this sense Butler served as inspiration for later British satirists, most notably Monty Python’s antics, in particular Terry Gilliam’s twisted but brilliant 1985 movie “Brazil”, where bureaucracy and machinery thwart all attempts at a human solution to a problem.

Butler came to mind upon reading the Estonian PM’s speech, delivered last Thursday in Pärnu, at a governmental leadership conference. The ever-optimistic Kallas made the claim that Estonia is moving from a global backcourt-yard player onto the city square — read international presence, front and centre. Kallas’ metaphor saw Estonia’s up to now existence as one of having led a peaceful life on the back 40, hoeing its own familiar rows, having familiar neighbours with whom the occasional fight or party was common. Nothing unexpected transpired, Estonians could wander their backyards in old familiar clothing, not needing to worry about comparision with others, keeping up with the Jones’.

But tomorrow, said Kallas in Pärnu, Estonia shall find herself on the city square. Crowded, exciting, a place to be seen. But there are pickpockets and brawlers to beware. As Estonia watches others, she herself is being watched. Although freedom is there, it must be accompanied by a state of constant alertness. The Future for Estonia shall in no small manner be determined upon adequate and rapid reaction to change. The winner will be he who gauges the dangers and advantages to national gain.

Obvious references to becoming members of the European Union, and NATO. Although Estonians are divided on the issue of the EU, Kallas warns his countrymen not to discuss whether or not the country will be accepted into the Union— better to start discussion on what to do as a member. This advice coming right after the Irish turned down the EU in a plebiscite. NATO membership is also seen by Kallas as a dead cert, increasing Estonia’s global responsibility. The final significant foreign policy issue was support for the USA. Kallas reminded how USA has supported Estonia at critical moments. Estonia needs to be able to respond to any request made by Americans — should they ask: are you with us? Estonia will respond with a resounding yes. NATO will be the key to Estonian independence on the global town square.

A wonderful speech. Kallas also suggested that Estonia is ope of the best places in the world to live. He emphasized Estonia’s geographical location — one of stability and development. Important as well are the few ecological catastrophes, and a rapid economic development, an educated IT work force.

With all due respect to the PM’s points, he seems to have forgotten a detail or two. Estonia is a world leader in the HIV explosion. Russia is far from a friendly neighbour, as evinced by the recent long term plan of the Russian Army to replace its Pihkva force of conscripts with professional, career army. Many see this as a reaction to the Baltics as a whole, and the Königsberg issue; be it as it might, the Russians hardly are being meek on the other side of the Peipsi. Estonia’s borders are far from secure — in the spring two Russian deserters swam across the Narva river and went on a murder and terror spree in the Baltics. The bureaucracy is hardly mature. Many ministers serving the present coalition, in particular the Foreign Minister, have not distinguished themselves personally and ethically in their earlier postings. The list is long.

Certainly, developments are being made at a tremendous pace, and this is behind Kallas’ optimism. But let us consider another recent event. This Monday a new book was launched — Kaks Eestit — “Two Estonias”. It has been long argued that Estonia is a country of haves and have-nots. The young professional moneyed elite, and the aging agrarian class. The book, edited and compiled by sociologist Raivo Vetik asks a number of significant questions in an attempt to settle the argument. Main among them is the attempt of the bureaucracy to become politicized, and the effect this is having on the distribution of power. It is well known that bureaucratic solutions are fast found if you know someone “in the works”. Others, bide your time. Vetik’s book also asks — how similar are the thought processes of an Estonian politician and a child? Tellingly, the opinions of Kallas and the previous PM, Mart Laar are also included. The book promises to reveal new facts and tendencies about the stratification of Estonian society, attempting to resolve the question of the two Estonias for once and all.

The book will make it to Canada soon, must await it with eagerness. Typically Estonian, one supposes, to concentrate not on the positive of Kallas’ speech, but the negative reality of HIV, low pensions, wages, and respects for the public sector. But it is an unavoidable reality, one that is there.

Somehow, Erewhon remains as a cloud above the Estonia of the future. Butler’s work is an example of satire not going far enough — it ended up being true. Can City Square Estonia, escaped from the Back 40 unite the country, render the dual nature of the nation extinct? Let us hope that Siim Kallas can see the future with clarity and conviction.

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