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EESTI ELU reedel, 3. aprillil 2020 — Friday, April 3, 2020
Nr. 13
Estonian House 60th Anniversary
English-language supplement to the Estonian weekly “EESTI ELU” Tartu College Publications Founding Chairman: Elmar Tampõld Editor: Laas Leivat 3 Madison Avenue, Toronto, ON M5R 2S2 T: 416-733-4550 • F: 416-733-0944 • E-mail: editor@eestielu.ca Digital: www.eestielu.ca
Controlling the diaspora, Kremlin style (II) In 2018 it was startling to read British media reports that half of the Russian dias pora in the UK were infor mers for Russian intelligence agencies. This spectacular news was however a misinter pretation of a scholarly article of the scale of Russian espio nage. British intelligence sources have leaked a different statistic, a substantially lower number – some 500 agents with about 200 contact individuals. But this again is in sharp contrast with suggestions coming direct ly from the Russian community members, that every second expat could be at least a potential contact for Russian intelligence services. Recruitment of possible in formers/agents among ex-pats mostly occurs during their visits to Russia. Its very inevitable that the Russian FSB would eventually contact an individual visitor and use pressure to gain co-operation. It’s not likely that Russians from the diaspora would take the initiative and volunteer to work for the FSB, GRU or SVR. But deception and various forms of coercion are the common methods of recruitment, everywhere. We are reminded that all of the Russian spies that have been exposed in the Estonian military and security services were re cruited while visiting Russia. Now there are security restric tions on Estonian federal employees intending to visit Russia. Recruiting anybody while they are within the recruiter’s jurisdiction definitely has some advantages. For Western intelli gence it’s practically impossible to identify these contacts. The recruiters do not need unobtru sive methods to make contact and their work is undetected. The recruiters are not on offi cial government lists, like payrolls, so that defectors to the West usually cannot disclose their identities. In 2013 Russian diplomats with immunity from arrest and prosecution in the US were ex posed for attempting to recruit young Russian ex-pats through the Russian Cultural Centre as assets for Russian intelligence. The diplomats were promoting
visits as part of an ostensible cultural program. However the program was meant to identify possible recruits willing and able to co-operate in Russia’s counter-intelligence capability. It’s known that their intelli gence agencies have infiltrated religious groups in Russia with operatives who were then sent abroad where the operative gained political asylum for be ing persecuted as a Russian re ligious dissident. They then are welcomed to join authentic reli gious dissidents in the US or are even able to establish such organizations themselves. Some members of such Russian heritage groups, who had received US education and had built a career at high-tech companies with defense con tracts, were unwittingly used to gain classified military infor mation. Classical espionage recruitment, much beyond win ning the co-operation of in formers. In Canada it’s apparent that many local organizations with Russian ex-pat membership seem to support policies held by the Kremlin. Some polls over the years have even shown that Putin’s popularity abroad among Russians is higher than in Russia. Members of Russian Ortho dox congregations in Toronto, for instance have indicated that different churches with their clergy tend to be Kremlin friendly, while others don’t take any position or are outright opposed to Putin’s ever-increas ing readiness to repress political opposition. While this is evident from web-sites, and Russianlanguage newspapers in Canada, it’s still difficult to determine how many Russians have been involved in co-operating with Russian intelligence services. Observers say that Russian secret services recognize the vulnerabilities in the diaspora communities. One of these ‘soft spots’ is the dependency Rus sian ex-pat groups have for cul tural sustenance. Independent educational and cultural organi zations, that do not rely on Moscow, its embassies and con sulates for support, are obvious ly not attractive penetration tar gets for Russia as those that have a relationship of support
On April 1, 2020, we will mark the 60th anniversary of the Estonian House in Toronto. We had hoped to celebrate this milestone with you, but we are now unable to come together because of the COVID-19 crisis. Right now, staying home is the best way to protect our community. Staying home runs counter to the very purpose of the Eesti Maja. For sixty years it has operated as place to sustain our community in Toronto. A home away from home. There is not a single person who has grown up in our community who has not spoken of their deep connection to this place. A connection built through community, service,
and education. While our doors opened on April 4, 1960, they will be closed on April 4, 2020. The next several months will test the strength of our community, our nation, and each of us. During this difficult time, it is important to remember that the deep commitment to the Estonian House over the years, to building a thriving communi ty by its founders, was forged in a time of crisis. Our founders knew what it was like to be isolated. They knew what it was like to be unsure of what the future held. They knew loss. They also knew hope. “Me kestame üle aja.” We will last through the ages. These were the words of hope,
written by Estonian poet Henrik Visnapuu, engraved into the Toronto Estonian House in 1963. We hope that if there is something positive that can come from this crisis, it will be that our community is renewed. That when it is safe to do so again, that we will come together again, to celebrate, to learn, and to share in each others com pany. We have plans for the 60th anniversary celebration and will share those with you when the time is right. We look forward to seeing you at the Estonian House. THE BOARD OF THE ESTONIAN HOUSE IN TORONTO
Seedrioru announcement
anniversary in consideration of everyone’s health.
Dear Families,
It is with a sad heart that our Juhatus has decided that we should conservatively cancel our Talgud events this spring and summer due to restrictions that will still be in effect from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is our hope that we can still complete some small projects involving smaller groups of people and families on a volun tary basis.
We remain optimis tic about a summer season unaffected by COVID-19, and continue to accept registrations, fill our few remaining staff positions, and get ready for camp! However, we also want to make sure that you and your family have a good back-up plan – just in case. That’s why we’re amend ing our policy, effective imme diately, and for all existing registrations. If any 2020 camp week is unable to proceed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the result of a directive or advice from Health Canada, Ontario Ministry of Health or the
from Moscow. Vulnerability is not the only consequence, it’s also the ‘we lead, you follow’ alliance that likely results. Even though major Cana dian-Russian organizations in sist that their May 9th Victory Day celebrations are financed independently, all indications point to substantial support from the Russian foreign ser vice itself. Without this need for outside assistance, perhaps the Victory Day organizers could empha size the true meaning of May 9th – a time for remembering their fallen veterans and mil lions of other victims of WWI, and of course the victory over Nazi Germany. But Moscow is intent on pro moting the day as one of ‘Liberation’ for Central and Eastern Europe. This is the message with which dependent diaspora groups are complicit. They are partners in rejecting the truth – that for these coun tries, the Nazi totalitarian re gime was replaced with a re pressive Soviet power, whose brutality, by sheer volume of atrocities alone, surpassed the Nazis. LAAS LEIVAT
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health – or if your child is potentially ill with the virus, you will have the following options to either: • Receive a complete refund of any deposit paid. • Transfer your registration to another week in 2020 – as space allows. • Defer your registration to the summer 2021 season at this year’s rates. We have also decided to waive the Talgu obligations for camp this year. Our camp committee is con tinually monitoring the situation and will also be reviewing all of our health and safety policies with the advice of local, pro vincial and national health authorities. We will continue to keep you updated of any changes affecting summer 2020. We’re hopeful that camp will not be affected by COVID-19! Due to the COVID-19 pan demic, we are postponing the celebration of Seedrioru’s 65th
Seedrioru juhatus has also decided to cancel our annual Suvihari festival. It is important that we prioritize the health and safety of all. We would like to extend an invitation to this years celebra tion “Sügishari” BBQ roast on September 26th, 2020 when hopefully the world has re turned back to normal, and to a great event in 2021 to com memorate Seedrioru’s 65th an niversary then. Still looking forward to the summer!
Update on the IEC and the COVID-19 pandemic Amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, the International Estonian Centre (IEC) project team is continuing its work while closely monitoring and adhering to all regulatory health and business requirements. It is anticipated that some processes, such as interactions with municipal governments, businesses and other partners will be impacted as we all adapt to a new temporary work environment. We will keep you updated – please follow our social media links and check our website for project news. In light of the uncertainty and instability resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Capital Campaign Com mittee has decided to put the active campaign for pledges for the International Estonian Centre on hold. Our first concern must be for every-
one’s health, and that includes physical, emotional and financial health. Thus, until circumstances return to some level of normalcy, we want everyone to focus on their well-be ing without distraction. When the time is right, we’ll resume the campaign, and our community will celebrate together as we achieve our goal to create an International Estonian Centre of which we will all be proud! STEERING COMMITTEE, INTERNATIONAL ESTONIAN CENTRE
Keep in touch with project news • Visit our website www.estoniancentre.ca for regular updates • Sign up for our monthly email newsletter at www.estoniancentre.ca • Follow us on Facebook: @ EestiKeskus
