Interview with Helmut Maandi on May 16, 1983 (1983)

Enn Nõu interviews Helmut Maandi, the State Secretary during the constitutional government formed by Otto Tief in 1944, in his home in Högdalen, Stockholm on May 16, 1983. They discuss important subjects: the activity of the National Committee of the Republic of Estonia in 1944, arrestments of the security police, the members of the committee going underground, forming the government under the guidance of Otto Tief in September 1944 and the further destiny of the members of the goverment, activities of the politicians who fleed to the West. Helmut Maandi reads out the text from the leaflets of the National Committee, his memories about the activities of the security police and letters by August Rei. Helmut Maandi recollects the stressful times when the Soviet forces invaded Estonia and his escape to Sweden. He also gives a short overview about the refugee camps in Sweden, Jüri Uluots's serious illness, and the tragic faith of the members of the government who stayed in Estonia. Helmut Maandi believes that there are people in Estonia who could turn Estonia into an independent state. Expatriate Estonians in Sweden, however, are rather focused on the issue of nationality than independence of Estonia.