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EESTI ELU reedel, 27. augustil 2021 — Friday, August 27, 2021
Glen Major Forest Loop: A day trip destination near Jõekääru
The U.S.-Germany Nord Stream 2 Joint Statement raises concerns Serving on behalf of 25 million Canadians and Ameri cans of Central and East European heritage, The Central and Eastern European Council in Canada and the U.S.-based Central and East European Coalition express serious concern regarding the Joint Statement of the United States and Germany on Support for Ukraine, European Energy Security, and Our Climate Goals, which addresses the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. If the pipeline is completed, the Russian Federation will use this coercive tool to advance its geopolitical goals and influence in Europe. The statement does not specify what action would be taken by Germany should the Kremlin weaponize its ener gy sector against Ukraine and the rest of Europe. We believe that this agreement with its ambiguous language and objec tives is inadequate in addressing the threat posed by the Kremlin’s aggressive behaviour and violates our commitments from the Budapest Memoran dum of 1994. To demonstrate that the Biden and Trudeau administra tions value the relationships with our European allies, their policies should clearly reflect their intent to jointly counter the hostile behaviour of the Russian Federation. Unfor
Vincent Teetsov
tunately, the Joint Statement does little to address the threats that Nord Stream 2 poses to the energy security of Central and Eastern Europe. We assert that the relationships that Canada and the U.S. maintain with many of the countries in this region, whose diaspora commu nities our organizations repre sent, may be harmed because of this arrangement. In order to resolutely counter Russia’s bel ligerent influence in Europe, we urge the U.S. and Canada to work with our European allies to develop and adopt a concrete and comprehensive plan of response. The language in the Joint Statement and its potential implications only intensify our trepidation. The Biden and Trudeau administrations must continue implementing sanc tions and encourage our allies in Europe to enact similar mea sures, to prevent the finalization and use of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. On the anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact of August 23, 1939, we call on our respective administrations to honour the history of our part ners in Central and Eastern Europe by denouncing the com pletion and use of this political pipeline.
If you’re itching to tie up your boot laces, are looking for a fine day out somewhere beyond the city, and have access to a vehicle, then look towards the area around Jõekääru Estonian Children’s Camp. For some of us, it’s a familiar enough area, but some parts of it still may have slipped under your radar. Just north of Pickering, where Uxbridge Pickering Town line Road meets Conces sion Road 6, you’ll find the start of the Glen Major Forest Loop. The loop is a 6.1 kilo metre long trail wedged into the East Duffins Headwaters, for which Duffins Creek flows into Lake Ontario. The loop starts out wide open, with lower trees and tall grass on either side. On the right hand side is a former aggregate pit that’s undergoing a wetland restoration project. This project’s efforts include directing water runoff to the site, installing log tangles, bird perches, and “planting native fruit bearing shrubs.” Meadows and wooded areas alternate evenly until you reach the halfway point of the whole trail system. Here, you’ll be surrounded by dense trees. The level of sunlight will be limited to a few rays that shine through
Resolving differences by war or amicably Harri Kivilo
Statement by the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, on Black Ribbon Day August 23, 2021 The Leader of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Communism and Nazism in Europe, also known as Black Ribbon Day: “Today, I join communities around the world to remember the victims of Communism and Nazism in Europe. We stand with the survivors and their de scendants, and with all those who continue to face violence and persecution from authori tarian and totalitarian regimes. “On this day in 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, an agreement which led to the violent rearrangement of Eastern and Central Europe. Millions of Europeans were robbed of their basic rights, subjected to violence or murdered, and countless others were forced to flee to new lands.
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“Many of those who escaped this persecution found refuge in Canada with the hope of build ing a new life. They, along with their descendants, have made extraordinary contributions to our country and have helped build the diverse and strong Canada that we know today. “We all have a role to play in defending and protecting human rights and democracy, both here at home and around the world. Liberals will continue to work with our partners to prevent crimes like these from happen ing, and together, we will con demn crimes against humanity and hold those responsible accountable. “Today, I invite all Cana dians to honour the victims of Europe on Black Ribbon Day. For our part, we will continue to work hard to make Canada and the world a safer place to call home. To all those who continue to face life under threat of violent regimes, Canada stands with you.”
In August 1939 Estonia had existed 19 years as a respected democratic state: by other states and also by about 10% of the citizens who were of Ger man and Russian nationality. In June 1940 USSR occupied Estonia and staged Estonians to establish Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (ESSR) as part of USSR. In September 1941 the Nazi-German forces, in the war with USSR, had reached Estonia that was now part of USSR. Nazi-German rule lasted until October 1944, when USSR was back to continue their very brutal crimes against humanity. The annexation of Estonia con tinued until cession of USSR, and reinstatement of independence and validating the new Constitution in June 1992. Although western states had denounced the occupation and annexation of Baltic States, USA and UK, joined USSR in the war against Nazi-Germany and doing so, they allowed USSR to keep the Baltic States in their sphere of influence – apparently not knowing what „the sphere of influence“ means for Stalin. German forces were in the summer of 1944 ready to capitu late to USA-led forces, but for foolish political reasons
Entering deep into the woods of Glen Major Forest Loop. Photo: Vincent Teetsov
the broad canopy. The further south you go on the trails, you’ll come across brooks that run into East Duffins Creek. Moving north and east, the landscape becomes hillier, with a handful of opportune lookout points to reward you before looping back to the free parking lot on the western side of the loop. On the trails, you’ll come across runners, casual hikers, and mountain bikers all at once. Watch and listen around the bends and keep to the right side for the latter. If you’re mountain biking here, the rolling terrain will be exhilarating to race down, but do keep these other visitors in mind. To make the most of the trails while they’re less crowded, aim to start your hike in the morning. The trails make quite a few disorienting bends and turns, so look around for signposts marked with reference numbers
from G24 to G1, to track how far you’ve come along. Each signpost has a mini map on top, so you can judge the proximity of turning points. It would be a good idea to bring a compass, too, to return to your entry point in case you get turned around too much.
the western forces were ordered to remain at the western side of Elbe river until the Red army advanced to the eastern side and declared itself as the liberator of Europe. That „liberation“ lasted from 1945 to 1994. The United Nations Orga nisation apparently could not perceive the damages USSR had caused to the states of east ern Europe, and thus no suit for very brutal USSR crimes was initiated. This unreasonable act most likely prompted the states that remained neutral in the war between Nazi Germany and USSR not to claim occupation and annexation damages to be paid by Russian Federation that had in January 1992 stated to act as the successor of USSR. Furthermore, Estonians who started to restore the indepen dence were too young to per sonally know that: Estonia was until occupation governed strictly in the Estonian lan guage; the Republic of Estonia was founded to retain the ethnic quaintness of Estonians forever; during the annexation years USSR had sent about 400 000 citizens of USSR to live, as tools of genocide, in Estonia. Without any public dis cussions and parliamentary assessments of the essential requirements defined in the Constitution, Estonia started in 1992 to exist as a state formed by Estonians and Russians. Presumably believing that these
two nationalities can live peace fully together in case Estonians no longer want to implement the sovereignty rights they have inherited from their brave fore bears. To date all Governments of Estonia have concluded that whilst Czars of Russia and USSR have wanted Estonians and their territory to be part of Russia, the Russian Federation is bound to act likewise. To prevent Estonia from losing its independence, huge amounts of money have been spent to have an army that together with NATO can destroy all attempts to conquer Estonia. Somehow no one seems to understand that the casualties of WW2 were huge, and defending the inde pendence of Estonia with the arms that are now much more destructive, will most likely destroy not only buildings and roads, but also forests, agricul tural land and perhaps 50% of vital population – that will hardly be able to restore facilities needed for normal life.
In total, you could make a two hour hike out of your time on the loop, or longer if you explore all of the trail route deviations. When you’re tired at the end of your hike/run/bike ride, head north to Lake Simcoe to rinse off, before driving back south to Uxbridge for lunch. The town has a number of restaurant choices and quaint stores to re charge and putter around after all of that exercise. Unexplored scenery is not too far out of reach and will give you a renewed sense of the area around Toronto!
The circumstance that now exists for Estonia would have been totally different in case President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill had carried out their promise that all states who have lost their indepen dence due to the war shall get it back when the war ends. This promise, named the Atlantic Char ter, was apparently never (Continued on page 10)
