Posted on 08/12/2008 9:01:25 PM PDT by MarMema
Estonia's experience may be of interest in assessing how best Georgia and Moldova should shape their policies vis-à-vis Russia. When Estonia gained independence in 1991 following the break-up of the Soviet Union, Moscow was understandably angry. It sought to create a picture in the western media of a land with huge economic problems, unsuitable for investment. Estonia was indeed poor, and its main exports were scrap metal and timber, but its economy was growing.
Russia supported a so-called "autonomy-movement" in north-east Estonia, which is populated mostly by people who settled there during Soviet times. When Estonia stood firm against this, Russia started sanctions and cut off gas supplies. The few Estonian products allowed into Russia were heavily taxed and even military intervention was threatened. But Estonia kept its nerve. Russia's sanctions actually helped Estonia to re-direct its economy from east to west. Meanwhile western Europe was doing its utmost to integrate the Baltic states − Lithuania and Latvia as well as Estonia − while at the same time seeking to avoid possible conflict with Russia. Economically, with European help, Estonia eventually became one of the most successful transition countries in central and eastern Europe, joining the European Union and NATO in 2004.
(Excerpt) Read more at europesworld.org ...
I'm too tired to link all the other "Soviets Crush Civilians with Tanks" threads.
God Bless Estonia but they have done silly things too.
They broke all ties to Russian and decided to arm with HK USP’s and NATO rounds, but they destroyed their Soviet arms rather than sell them to the wests collectors market.
They just threw that stuff away and melted it.
Thats aint smart. Thats pure emotion. They have little room to lecture Georgia
so-called “autonomy-movement” in north-east Estonia, which is populated mostly by people who settled there during Soviet times.
Gee, sounds like La Raza East.......
Pretty much the same thing happened with Georgia though. The Moskols decided to boycott all things Georgian after the Rose revolution. It hurt but the economy has diversified and grown anyway. This has to be really galling since their sanctions always end up making their victims stronger.
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