[Lennart Meri in Estonian] The Estonia was flying the blue-black-white flag of Estonia. It was a small part of the Republic of Estonia.

Only 94 bodies were ever recovered from the Estonia

For this reason it is first and foremost a task for ourselves to identify as to whether and to what extent we have succeeded in fulfilling our duties and obligations at sea.

I am certain that the report will also provide an objective answer to this question. I know that the public and the relatives of the dead will have thousands of questions.

Answers to all these questions have been put together here, between these covers.

Source: Estonian radio 1300 gmt 03 Dec 97