Tallinn’s new broom sweeps in own style

The Baltic Times
Interview by Kairi Kurm
Apr 12, 2006
Juri Ratas is a loyal, enthusiastic Center Party politician with a sharp sense of humor. At the age of 27, he is the youngest mayor in Tallinn’s history. Initially, many were skeptical that this young Centrist could handle the responsibilities of city mayor, but Ratas has proved himself [...]

T.H. Ilves: There is no such thing as a ‘Baltic interest’

The Baltic Times, TALLINN
Interview by Kairi Kurm
Mar 01, 2006
When it comes to foreign policy, Toomas Hendrik Ilves is one of the most well-known experts in Eastern Europe. Seven years as Estonia’s foreign minister, together with the perspective of a former U.S. citizen, give him special insight into foreign affairs. As he says on his Web [...]

In crisis, young party turns to young leadership

The Baltic Times, TALLINN
Interview by Kairi Kurm
Feb 08, 2006
After catapulting to the political summit in 2003, the Res Publica party has seen its fortunes tumble after a series of mistakes and debacles, most notably the Lihula monument episode. Now in the opposition, the party is trying to win back its erstwhile reputation of a pro-business [...]

Re-nationalization: views across the spectrum

The Baltic Times, TALLINN
By Kairi Kurm
Jan 25, 2006
Agu Uudelepp, communications manager of the People’s UnionThe council of the People’s Union took an official standpoint that it supports the purchase of Estonian Railway shares for a fair price. It has to be a reasonable price, and it will be decided during negotiations. We were against the [...]

‘Not the way honest, democratic government should behave’

The Baltic Times, TALLINN
Interview by Kairi Kurm
Dec 21, 2005
When Edward Burkhardt decided to invest in the Baltics, he went for broke. He sold his railroad business in Wisconsin and bought a 66 percent stake in Estonian Railway in 2001. He assumed the position of chairman, but the job has been anything but calm. Government interference [...]

Robert Lepikson too straight to be a politician

The Baltic Times, TALLINN
Interview by Kairi Kurm
Dec 14, 2005
Robert Lepikson is a controversial politician in Estonia. Like Juri Mois, Tonis Palts and other successful businessmen-turned-politicians, he says things the way they are, and has ended up in hot water for it. For instance, when Lepikson’s Porsche Cayenne S, worth almost 100,000 euros, was stolen in [...]

‘EU leaders need to wake up to 21st century’

The Baltic Times, TALLINN
Interview by Kairi Kurm
Nov 16, 2005
She certainly stood out among the diplomatic crowd. For international reporters covering soporific EU meetings, and even more for a tiny country trying to create an international image, this was a major plus. And although Kristiina Ojuland is no longer Estonia’s foreign minister, she is actively involved [...]

Prevention in organization

The Baltic Times, TALLINN
Interview by Kairi Kurm
Jul 10, 2003
Kalle Laanet is an energetic young professional who, upon being appointed chief of police in Tallinn one-and-a-half years ago, had the courage to make big changes. He motivated the police force?s 1,400 employees with a new payment system and identified specific tasks for all units. As a [...]

City scandals

The Baltic Times, TALLINN
By Kairi Kurm
Jun 06, 2002
Juri Mois is a man with wide horizons. He has led Estonia’s biggest commercial bank, Hansapank, and then Estonia’s biggest city, Tallinn. Interview by Kairi Kurm.
Juri Mois was one of the founders of Hansapank and served on the board until Swedish investor Swedbank replaced him with its own [...]

Youthful warrior

The Baltic Times, TALLINN
By Kairi Kurm
May 23, 2002
How can a 28-year-old be drafted in as defense minister at a time when Estonia is at a crucial point preparing for NATO membership? When Kairi Kurm talked with Sven Mikser, she discovered that age isn’t everything.
A former political secretary of the now ruling Center Party, Sven Mikser [...]