STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION REGARDING PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL ESTONIAN SECURITY POLICE (KAPO) REPORT

Unofficial translation from Russian

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Regarding Publication of Annual Estonian Security Police (KAPO) Report

A few days ago the main Estonian special service - the security police (KAPO) - published an annual public report on its activities in 2002. That it contains direct attacks against Russia can hardly surprise anyone: KAPO is well known for its adherence to the Cold War dogmas, Russophobia and political bias. It is noteworthy that this time around Estonian counterintelligence officers saw the main source of threat to national security in the supposedly increasing role of special services in the work of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the growing activity of our diplomats in the Estonian sector. Such "findings" are accompanied by photographs of Russian embassy in Tallinn officials and members of the staff of the Ministry, including M. V. Demurin, deputy director of the Second European Department, with eloquent captions that hint at their "espionage activities."

Moscow regards such conclusions by Estonian special services as a conscious attempt to discredit leading officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic missions responsible for elaboration and pursuit of the Russian foreign policy in the Baltic sector.

To us it is no secret that Russia's consistent line on ensuring its political, economic and humanitarian interests in relations with Estonia is a cause for irritation in certain circles in Tallinn. We would like to stress that the attempts of those who are trying to hinder its pursuit by such methods are futile.

April 9, 2003