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EESTI ELU reedel, 23. juulil 2021 — Friday, July 23, 2021
Nr. 29
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
Russian friendly persuasion, not recognized as recruitment (II) Journalists like A.N. are most suitable as confidential contacts, they know a lot of important people, especially in nigh ranking government jobs. If in the capital city, they are members of the government-accredited press corps, where sensitive scuttlebutt is picked up that might be useful to Russians and others. But be they journalists, often cultivated as confidential contacts, with unclassified information, or working in some other capacity with access to controlled, classified or sensitive proprietary information, they are all potential targets. It’s likely that targets won’t know they are being nurtured until the process is in its final stages. In setting the process in motion, Russian intelligence looks for any legitimate activity where they can meet and evaluate targets that have info they are seeking – a business/ scientific conference, a trade show, a diplomatic reception for instance. The Russian operative then becomes part of that activity. To keep this phase as normal as possible, tradecraft is to be avoided – no clandestine meetings, no dead drops. One rule that governs any stage of the recruitment process – do not rush the growth of trust. In fact a long-time KGB recruiter has observed that a typical recruitment may start with 1000 initial contacts that lead to 100 operational contacts of which 10 survive as developmental contacts that produce three trusted sources from which one solid recruit is established. Although the above could be an exaggeration, many have suggested that usually nine out of ten initial approaches do not make it to that last successful phase of productive collaboration. When a targeted individual is finally willing to talk about topics or people of interest to the recruiter – this is considered to be the indicator of a completed recruitment process. The topics need not be secret, but rather, useful. At this stage, emphasis is placed on building friendship
and trust. The recruiter must provide some sense of personal interest and satisfaction in maintaining contact. The recruiter develops a sense of obligation in the recruit, by asking, for instance, for professional advice, for articles from professional journals, technical information not easily available but not restricted, etc. At this stage if the recruit happens to provide classified information it will be verbal only, not in any physical form. At this stage also, the recruit may not know he is being courted by an intelligence operative, one who is tasked with eventually co-opting the recruit as a knowing agent who regularly provides classified documents – memory sticks, flash drive, etc. – one who accepts money for information or services rendered. Herein the recruiter must be convinced that the subject has not reported the contact to company or state security officials. The foreign intelligence operative must make it so easy and comfortable for the recruit to become involved, to be compromised, that he avoids alerting security personnel of the situation. The foreign operative is trained to ramp up his charm technique and dampen any thoughts of recruiting by blackmail or coercion. Leave the latter for domestic use only. The use of organizations such as occupied Estonia’s VEKSA (Committee for Estab lishing Cultural Ties With Estonians Abroad) for spotting potential targets was an open secret. All (yes, ALL) who accompanied VEKSA delegations to the West on cultural exchange activities were expected to submit reports about Estonians they met abroad. History has shown that this KGB-led program failed in its intended goal of recruiting a large cadre of recruits. But the Soviet intelligence agencies expected that if the request comes from a foreigner, but with the same ethnic, national or religious heritage as the potential recruit, the latter should be more willing to be helpful by responding positively. The Estonian exiles didn’t respond as expected. (to be continued) LAAS LEIVAT
Vana-Andrese congregation had their confirmation service on July 4 and 11. Leerilapsed were Maarika Kiiri Neges, Kalev Amadeus Neges and Christopher William Tensuda, pictured here with their families.
Seedrioru Week 2 Hoorei me Seedrioru noored! Vaba mets meil kaitseja Elu ilus oled sa! Our second week despite a menacing weather forecast, turned out to be an absolutely beautiful week for fun in the sun! The theme for the second week was Arts and Science and we were very fortunate to have a variety of arts represented: weaving, Viking shield making, tile making, glass decorating, tie-dying, wood burning, and a LIVE theatre presentation! Our campers were happy ones as throughout all of the presentations you could have heard a pin drop – they were so engaged in what they were learning and doing. Many thanks to our own Lisa Ross – Hamilton School Board teacher – who is passionate about science and the environment who provided interesting activities like making slime, tiedye colour mixing, and fossil discovery! Kristina Ojaperv engaged the children with the story of Vahva Toomas and how he saved the city with his bravery. The lapsed were then challenged to build towers and buildings of vana Tallinn out of paper! They were very skilled tower builders! Kristina read the story in both English and Estonian – they were totally entranced in the story!
Tädi Anne Remmel came to us, a newcomer volunteer this year with tales of her father and his exquisite leatherwork crea tions. The older children were able to make pendants, bracelets learning a new Estonian voca bulary of words pertaining to leatherwork. The creative juices were flowing and the craftsmanship was astounding! Tädi Rutti Yalle taught the younger children about the traditional art of yarn dolls and created all sorts of dolls and animals – they were amazing!!! Tädi Leena Kimsto entertained our younger children talking about our Viking ancestry and how we Eestlased were important traders 600 years ago. They made shields with a variety of Estonian patterns. The older group was taught how to weave with blue-blackwhite yarn. The results were beautiful! Tädi Silvi Aarlaht taught all of our lapsed how to recycle glass yogurt containers into beautiful votive candleholders with a variety of recycled materials. They were so unique and bringing more light into the world! Tädi Kai Eichenbaum was back with us once again and instructed the older group on tilemaking. Stay tuned, as she comes back next week with the tiles which have been fired. We were entertained by parent Sarah Granskou and the Ewert family with a series of stories about the environment. She brought a host of felted puppets which were beautiful to
behold and appreciate. The presentations were interactive and intriguing for all the groups toddlers, younger and older children. The older children really appreciated the artistry of the puppets. Check out her web site: www.sarahgranskou.com The toddlers group enjoyed experimenting to make their (Continued on page 10)
