The sights and sounds of restored independence – some personal vignettes
On August 20, 1991 the Estonian Supreme Council, elected during the Soviet occupation in March 1990, but widely accepted as the equivalent of a parliament established through a democratic process, restored the country’s independence.
On August 26, Canada announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. By comparison the USA did so on September 2, by which time some 40 countries had done so.
With Iceland being touted as the first to quickly back Estonia’s re-established independence August 22, Canada is also recognized as one of the early states to give its endorsement to Estonia asserting continuity and reclaiming independence.
Canada, in announcing its support, emphasized that it “never recognized their annexation by the Soviet Union. … Canada maintained de jure recognition against the day when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia would be free to reclaim their independence. That day has come”.
(We recall the TV image of Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and US President George W. Bush standing side by side on the lawn of Bush’s Kennebunkport, Maine summer estate when Mulroney anounced Canada’s intention to recognize the restoration of independence for the Baltic states. Bush’s lack of any acknowledgment of Mulroney’s statement has been puzzling for the Balts and the theoretical speculation as to the reasons do not provide a logical explanation. In this context one remembers that Washington offered the most staunch and steady support for Baltic independence. In fact the USA approved the existence of Estonia, Latvian and Lithuanian pre-war diplomats to remain as the fully accredited emissaries of the de facto non-sovereign states. When Dr. Aarand Roos was appointed to Estonia’s Consulate General in New York in the early 1980’s, even though he had not been a member of Estonia’s pre-war diplomatic corps, he was not designated as a ‘Honorary’ Consul, but was accorded with full diplomatic accreditation including privileges, immunity, etc.)
Shortly thereafter I received a phone call from Michael Wilson inviting me to join him in a delegation from Canada travelling to the three Baltic states to formally establish diplomatic relations and to determine the most urgent priorities that needed attention.
(Pikemalt saab lugeda Eesti Elu 6. augusti 2021 paber- ja PDF/Digilehest)
