Regular readers are well versed with the on-going lobby campaign by Baltic North American organizations JBANC and BAFL to have funding restored to daily broadcasts of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. What do people in the Baltics have to say? There certainly are local complaints.
Some key figures in the Baltic states state that the U.S financed broadcaster, first set up during the Cold War remains a valuable resource.
Former Lithuanian President, American resident during the Soviet occupation Valdas Adamkus said last week with reference to a political scandal involving President Rolandas Paksas’ alleged ties to organized crime illustrated the need for outside news sources.
“These broadcasts are especially important to Lithuania today, when a political crisis is rocking the country,” he said. “The radio should continue with its mission.”
Associated Press carried the viewpoint held by some, that the end of broadcasting was inevitable. “Sure, we’ll miss the international news of RFE,” said Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the Estonian parliament’s foreign affairs committee. “But it had to happen sooner or later. It’s understood RFE’s meant for countries that have problems with freedom of speech. Ours doesn’t.”
“We are a democratic country now and we can’t demand that the U.S. Congress goes on financing this service,” concurred Guntars Krasts, a leader in Latvia’s coalition government.
But Mari-Ann Kelam, a recent Pro Patria member of Estonia’s parliament , said she was lobbying for RFE’s Estonian-service to stay on the air.
“U.S. international broadcasting as a public diplomacy tool is cost-effective and cheap, by U.S. budgetary standards,” said Kelam. “There is growing anti-Americanism throughout Europe which is expanding, unfortunately, to the Baltic States as well.”
Uldis Grava, head of Latvia’s state-run television, agreed. “Even though the Baltic states are more stable than the Balkans, for instance, democracy and free enterprise still need to be supported and strengthened for some time to allow them to truly take hold,” said Grava, a Latvian-American who once headed RFE’s Latvian-language service.
RFE/RL funding: view from the Baltics
Archived Articles | 19 Dec 2003 | EL (Estonian Life)EWR
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