Front row: Executive Board President Marju Rink-Abel, Krista Altok-Tassa, Ülle Ederma, Ambassador of Estonia Marina Kaljurand; back row: Viiu Vanderer, Marju Kõrts Third Secretary (Economic Affairs), Erik Puskar, Arved Plaks, Oleg Dmitrijev First Secretary(Political Affairs), Tanel Sepp (Deputy Chief of Mission), and Eric Suuberg. Not on photo Maia Linask. Foto: Lembi Harris
The Executive Board of the Estonian American National Council gathered in Washington as a precursor of the annual meeting of all the council members. The occasion was to attend a reception at the residence of the ambassador of Estonia, her Excellency Marina Kaljurand.
Thus on September 15 the board gathered in Washington’s Northwest corner in the spacious home of the Ambassador for a buffet dinner and conversation. Present were also several Estonian embassy staff and support personnel which assured that a lively conversations ensued. Allthough it was agreed that this would not be a business meeting still the discussions drifted to many timely themes. Examples are „how do we get newly arrived immigrants from Estonia more involved in local Estonian communities;“ “how is Estonia affected by the events in Syria“ and “did the quick dismantling of the collective farms after regaining independence hurt the economy“.
Some positive comments showed that Estonia is held worldwide as an example of a country with good governance, and that Estonia is not a beggar nation but partner to the western powers. Still, it was noted that individual detractors appear from time to time to make groundless accusations related to Estonia’s past. That these and similar topics emerged is only natural given the high-powered people present.
Marju Rink-Abel (on the left) and Viiu Vanderer
Arved Plaks
