THE QUEEN'S SPEECH

Every Christmas I try to watch the Queens Speech on BBC television in UK. This year in Finland I watched the Queens speech given by President Halonen. I asked my philosopher friend if he always watched it and he said she was too boring!

But the interesting point was that she gave the speech in two languages, Finnish first and then Swedish. I wondered aloud to my friends if that would happen in Latvia in the forseeable future for Russian speakers with as much grace and enthusiasm. Apparently though it has not always been so easy in Finland either. After the Swedish occupation ended in 1809 and Russia took over, Swedish remained the official language of the country (not Russian). By the end of the century there was a backlash and even many Swedish speakers said that this was not right. Finnish gradually took hold but the pendulum swung too far the other way and the Swedish speakers then felt discriminated against. Now the country has a good balance. No-one would even think about questioning the loyalty or "Finnishness" of any Swedish speaker. Swedish speakers have their own language, clture, media, universities, schools, clubs and sports teams and businesses. The two language groups coexist in harmony and the country is much stronger and more fun to be in for it.

The gradual process of language integration within the three Baltic states is full of good and bad stories. The only problem is that all three states need to take the Russian Government warnings seriously about their right to meddle in the affairs of those sovereign states that contain Russian speakers. But one thing that should be clear to all politicians from their own history and that of the Finnish nation is that a prosecuted language does not die. You cannot force a new language upon someone who does not want it, by any threats or persuasions. The Russian language must be accommodated by the three Baltic States because it is simply not going to go away. The challenge is to do this with inclusion, love, empathy and humour - and before Russia decides to find an unwanted solution of its own.

But one thing does puzzle me. I sat opposite Mrs Halonen at dinner many years ago and heard her speak strongly about the importance and value of the two language solution. Despite her outspokenness on many difficult EU subjects I have not heard her speak out in support of the Russian language in the Baltic Countries the same way. I would love to hear a reason.