Jaak Jõerüüt

Jaak Jõerüüt (born December 9 1947) is an Estonian politician. He is currently the defense minister of Estonia, having tendered his resignation in September 2005 but this having not been acted upon by the Prime Minister yet.

Related Topics:
December 9 - 1947 - Estonian - Defense minister - Estonia

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He was appointed to that position in November 2004 in the Juhan Parts government. When Parts resigned in April 2005, Jaak Jõerüüt was one of the few ministers retained in the Andrus Ansip government. Jõerüüt was also acting foreign minister of Estonia for a few days in February 2005.

Related Topics:
November 2004 - Juhan Parts - April 2005 - Andrus Ansip - Foreign minister - February 2005

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In September 2005, Jõerüüt resigned voluntarily and surprisingly, over the so-called "T-Shirt Affair". (A t-shirt with a list of the names of several Estonian politicians was produced who had been members of the Communist party; it was headed "Commies to the Oven!" Jõoerüüt was also listed. At a soccer match, this was worn by several people who were in the employment of his ministry.) Media and analysis comments mainly concluded that Jõerüüt resigned to distance himself from a government shaken by scandal, to create an untainted image for himself for further office, perhaps that of President of Estonia. However, the resignation has not been accepted yet by the Prime Minister, and so Jõerüüt is still serving in a pending capacity.

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Jõerüüt previously served as Estonia's ambassador to the United Nations in 2004. He served as ambassador to Italy and Malta from 1998 through 2002, and ambassador to Cyprus from 1999 through 2004. From 1993 to 1997, Jõerüüt was ambassador to Finland.

Related Topics:
United Nations - 2004 - Italy - Malta - 1998 - 2002 - Cyprus - 1999 - 1993 - 1997 - Finland

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