Sir, Suzanne Breen (May 7th) in "Estonians arming IRA, says Russia" quotes first the Russian intelligence service FSB as saying that members of "the extremist Estonian organisation, Kaitseliit" have helped the IRA buy weapons, adding a quote from Mr Ian Paisley jnr of DUP, which within the context of the article implies that if the IRA has received weapons from Eastern Europe the might have arrived via Estonia.
Firstly, let me point out that Kaitseliit is not an extremist organisation but a volunteer territorial reserve force of Estonian citizens, firmly entrenched in the Estonian constitution and as such cannot be engaged in any illegal activities contravening Estonia's international obligations.
Secondly, Estonian intelligence services have been in extensive contact on this matter with their British and Irish counterparts and none has been able to confirm illegal weapons supplies by Estonia to the IRA.
The Republic of Estonia has repeatedly condemned the use of any form of terrorism anywhere, regardless of its purposes, and has proffered its co-operation to counter terrorism agencies of all interested countries. The statement by the FSB which Ms Breen quotes represents a regrettable failure on the part of Russia to distinguish between short term propagandistic aims and genuine concerns with terrorism. Yours etc., Charge d'Affaires, The Embassy of the Republic of Estonia, Hyde Park Gate, London.