According to information received by the Helsinki Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) from official Estonian sources, aliens who are permanent residents and who possess USSR passports issued by official tourist agencies, must have those passports "reregistered" by the Estonian authorities before they are considered valid (15 June 1994). Estonian officials admit, however, "that some organizations illegally issue USSR passports with false re-registration stamp[s]" (ibid.).

According to a representative of the Consulate General of Estonia in Toronto, "tourist or travel agencies have never issued passports" (16 June 1994).

For additional information on the above-mentioned subject, please refer to the document attached to this Response as well as the references, which are attached to Response to Information Request EST17593.E of 17 June 1994.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Consulate General of Estonia, Toronto. 16 June 1994. Information faxed to DIRB.

International Organization for Migration (IOM), Helsinki. 15 June 1994. Information faxed to DIRB.

Estonia. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 13 December 1993. Circular Note No. EST0226. (Faxed to the DIRB by the Consulate General of Estonia in Toronto)