Eesti in brief - 2011-08-11

A study conducted in the Interior Defense Academy indicates that the feeling of safety of the Estonian people has increased, reports National Broadcasting. The author of the study, Martin Mottus, explained the trend with the fact that year after year, the number of serious crimes has decreased. The number of lighter violent crimes has increased, but that does not affect the sense of safety. In Tallinn, 67 percent said that they think they could be endangered by drug intoxicated persons; 64 percent perceive danger from a youth gang; 55 percent from a drunken person and 36 percent from a homeless person. The city’s residents considered the park of their city district in the dark as the most dangerous place. Public transport and open markets also were considered dangerous.

As all three Estonian Police and Border Guard Board rescue helicopters were in repairs for two weeks, NATO fighter planes stayed in Latvia and Lithuania and did not come for patrol flights to Estonia, reports Ohtuleht. An anonymous source said that NATO fighter planes did not come to Estonia because none of the Estonian rescue helicopters worked. Rules prescribe that there must be readiness for a potential accident at all times and if there is no rescue helicopter with winch capability, the pilot might not receive fast aid. Estonian Defense Forces press department chief Ingrid Muhling says that “Since July 23, NATO fighter planes did not have training flights in Estonian air space, but flights did take place in Latvian and Lithuanian air space.” Muhling said though that Estonian air space was not without protection. “In case of an air border violation or some other incident requiring fast reaction had taken place, fighter planes would have [been there].” Baltic air space is guarded by 4 French fighter planes at present that are located in a base in Lithuania.

Estonia’s largest opposition party, the Estonian Center Party, will most likely re-elect long-term chairman Edgar Savisaar as its chairman this month despite having a competitor to the post, Juri Ratas, since the latter has not secured enough support from local organizations, reports Postimees. Savisaar has been the chairman of the party since it was founded in 1991. Recently some opposition has emerged in the party, calling for changes in management. So far 22 out of the regional organizations of the party have expressed support to Savisaar, and 3 to Ratas. Two regional organizations were to announce their candidate this week. Savisaar also recently said that the congress will make the decision. “I intend to continue if the majority of Center Party members support me,” he said. The Center Party congress takes place on Aug. 27.