I think that we are informed too much by the Second World War. For the middle-aged generation, it's almost the only history they know, plus, they almost religiously believe it's doomed to repeat itself.

I think Russia is run by nationalists, not imperialists. They want to build a strong *Russian* state, and part of building that state means not having more minorities within the state.

Russia is only 79 percent ethnic Russian, and dropping everyday. Do they really want to expand Russian identity to include swarthy Georgians and fascist Estonians? No.

Therefore, the long-term annexation of Estonia makes little sense. It would make more sense for Russia for Estonia to maintain its independence but show deference to Moscow. It's quite handy to have Estonia within the EU and NATO if they can swing its opinion makers the other way. It could help to further neuter those organizations.

You should all wake up and realize that Russia sees Edgar Savisaar as an Estonian Urho Kekkonen in the wings, a local deal maker who can drink with their biznizmeniy and shore up enough support to eventually remain in office for as long as he likes.

And when Savisaar gets a suggestion, like acceding to EU Charter on Protection of Regional and Minority Languages, he'll pass it, because it will placate the need for "official status" with legislation to which Estonia already mostly adheres. I mean, that charter calls for the state to support education and media in the minority languages, which it already does to a large extent. So basically, he'ss sacrifice nothing for ethnic Estonians to placate Estonian Russians and the EU.

And the more Estonian Russians he enfranchises, the larger his voter turnout becomes in the next election, ensuring his, or his protege's, victory.

Case closed.

Is a demanding task for such a small country. Nato membership is not enough. If I were dictator in Estonia, I'd rapidly increase Estonian defence bugded, establish compulsory military service for men and women. Number of troops including reserves could climb as high as 100 000 to 200 000 men and women. That should be enough to cause severe damage to any attacer. I'd also lay mines all the way to the eastern border, maybe even to the Latvian border (to prevent intervention via Latvia.

In the world there are examples, how a small country can stand in front of a huge enemy.

For example, look at Israel. But what it took? 1984 it took 24% of the GDP, 2 - 3 years of military service for both men and women plus training of some weeks every year. As a side effect Israel is now one of the leading high tech countries in the world.

Another thing is, and this is the cheapest, to make every (or at least the most) Russians in Estonia to feel it is better in independent Estonia than in Russia. That means giving them an official status and citizenship and admitting Estonia has two languages. Russian language is clear advantage even for Estonians, for example, if you come to work here in Finland.

Ignore history at your peril. The odds are weighted in favour of the novelist's opinion, increased somewhat by recent world news. There have always been and there will be more invasions in Europe. Don't make the mistake of arrogantly thinking that the past is the past and the future is all rosy. Ask a Georgian living in Gori.