Thatcher shaped modern Britain - that is undeniable - but she also shaped modern Estonia. Estonia owes its prosperity and even its liberty to Margaret Thatcher. There is a direct line between That-cher's foreign and economic policies and Estonia's current situation, writes British journa-list and political commentator in Estonia Abdul Turay.

In 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, British territories in the South Atlantic. The military junta that cont-rolled Argentina assumed that the US would back them. The US was friends with both countries. 

As I am approaching the age that is expressed by a large round number, I must accept the fact that my productive years are behind me. That is what the statistics show. I also see that my friends are leaving the ranks of the living in increasing number. I call out: “Guys! Are you really leaving? We have not yet finished all our debates and our grand projects!” Reluctantly I have to reconcile myself with the knowledge that I might never see Machu Picchu with my own eyes. So all that remains for me is to look back and think how I got here. There is enough to be satisfied with: my peasant ancestors became merchants, which led to me having the education that allowed me to work on the team that developed the International Space Station. How cool is that? 

Eesti's ice roads (jää/teed) were in the international spotlight recently, when the popular British television show "Top Gear" took the Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid for a spin over the Vormsi island's ice road. (www.topgear.com/uk/photos/Driving-across-the-sea-in-an-Ampera-2013-03-01) The other three ice roads (there are 6 in total), which are not currently officially open are  Rohuküla – Heltermaa, from the mainland to Hiiumaa island (26,5 km), Tärkmaa – Triigi, between Saaremaa and Hiiumaa islands (18 km) and Virtsu – Kuivastu, from the mainland to Muhu island (9 km). 

On the 24th of February, the Republic of Estonia became 95 years old. This is not much, only about a lifetime of a contemporary man or woman, but in such a long time almost anything could happen – peace and war, justice and injustice, joy and sorrow, happiness and pain. And Estonia’s journey has been just like that: from the ruins brought by the WW I Estonians decided to take their future in their own hands and create their own state, to take responsibility for their future. 

High-Level Session On 4-15 March At The United Nations 

Preliminary Agenda: 

Thursday, April 18, 2013 

9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) Advocacy Day – visits to Congressional offices

Friday, April 19, 2013 

2:00 – 4:00 PM --- U.S. Administration Briefing. Potential panelists: Officials from State Department, White House, FBI 

6:00 – 8:00 PM --- Reception at Embassy of Estonia