Estonia loses loyal patriot

TALLINN - Former chairman of the Supreme Council of the Estonian SSR and Speaker of Riigikogu, politician Ulo Nugis passed away on Nov. 18, reports Postimees
Online.

Nugis was born on April 28, 1944. He was an MP and Speaker of the 7th composition of Riigikogu and a member of Riigikogu during the 8th and the 9th compositions. From 1989 to 1991 Nugis was a member of the USSR Supreme Council and chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia from 1990 to 1992.
 He was a member of a number of political parties in Estonia over the course of his political career. Nugis was also a member of the August 20 Club that united the members of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia who, on Aug. 20, 1991, gave 69 votes in favor of the decision titled “Of National Sovereignty of Estonia.”
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves stated that Nugis was one of the initiators for the restoration of Estonia’s independence and one of the forces that led to it.

“He was the man who chaired the session of the Supreme Council on August 20, 1991, where a decision was made to restore Estonia’s independence and he was an important force in securing this independence,” said Ilves, noting that first in the position of the chairman of the Supreme Council and then as Speaker of Riigikogu, he helped in restoring Parliamentary tradition in Estonia with his statesmanlike consideration and decisiveness.

According to the president, Nugis knew and maintained the meaning, worth and dignity of representing the people in a Parliamentary democracy. “My deep condolences go to the loved ones of Ulo Nugis and to all his friends,” said Ilves in his eulogy to the Estonian politician and statesman.