Joint condolences by the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence
15.12.2009
Early this morning, a non-commissioned officer of the Estonian Army,
Junior Sergeant Kristjan Jalakas, died in Afghanistan. We accepted this
message with deep sadness and would like to express our sincerest
condolences to his family and friends.
A brave member of the Defence Forces, a son and a brother has left
us – an Estonian soldier who gave his life for the security of all of
us. Kristjan was devoted to his fatherland and defence of the state. It
is tragic that his path in life had to end so early. Soldiers know the
dangers of their profession, but it does not make any of the suffered
losses easier.
International forces, including Estonia, are there in Afghanistan
with the mandate of the UN Security Council and at the request of the
Government of Afghanistan. It is our goal, together with our allies and
the Afghans, to reach the point where the Afghans would be able to
ensure the stability of their country on their own. We wish that
Afghanistan would not become a threat and the people of Afghanistan
could live their lives in peace – with hospitals to help those in need,
children able to attend school and experience childhood without fearing
these very same improvised explosive devices that are dangerous for our
soldiers as well.
The countries participating in the Afghanistan mission have promised
to significantly increase the number of their forces. This will
increase security above the current level, thereby improving the
situation in Afghanistan and allowing the Afghans to start ensuring the
security of their country on their own. For the sake of this goal, we
will remain in Afghanistan and perform our duties as an ally.
Estonia and its allies remember their heroes. Let us bow our heads
together with the people of Estonia and the family and friends of
Kristjan Jalakas.
