Long-standing disputes

Estonia officially declared that it would stage next year's Eurovision, the much maligned but widely watched song contest that draws over 100 million television viewers from around the world. Estonia was given the task of hosting the hugely popular contest after winning the 2001 competition last month. Many Estonians see the Song Contest as an unparalleled opportunity to boost Estonia's name-recognition abroad, possibly leading to an even greater influx of tourists and even additional foreign investment. Some Estonians suggest it could even enhance the nation's drive to join the European Union. Estonian public television (ETV), which will have to take the lead in organizing the event, has been in dire financial straits for years, and long-standing disputes over government funding came to the fore during recent talks over Eurovision 2002. ETV director Aare Urm was heavily criticized for appearing to hold the contest hostage, hinting that Estonia may turn down the privilege of hosting it if substantial state funds weren't allotted to the country's public station. Finance Minister Siim Kallas called the apparent threat "attempted blackmail." In the end, the government said it would provide nearly 3 million dollars specifically for the staging of the contest. ETV had been asking for almost twice that amount.