In 1969 Arnold Ruutel was elected rector of the Estonian Agricultural Academy, in which post he,
in addition to fulfilling the everyday responsibilities of the leader of the academy,
was actively engaged in scientific research.

Guests and officials are greeted on arrival at their lunch venue.

Since 1977 he has held several high state positions, first in the political sphere,
 later on in the executive and legislative organs of power. In 1983 he was elected
Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR.

Doctor Ruutel played an important role in the preparation of the Estonian sovereignty
declaration and its adoption on 16 November 1988, which laid the basis for the
disintegration of the USSR.
He had gained in the world a reputation as a defender of Estonia's sovereignty in
conflict with the central authorities in Moscow.

In March 1990, the people of Estonia elected himto the Supreme Council of the
Republic of Estonia and thereafter, in the council's first session,
he was elected Chairman of the Supreme Council.
Ruutel supported actively the adoption of the resolution "About Estonia's National Status"
by the then highest legitimate power in Estonia.

In this resolution, it was declared that the state power of the USSR in Estonia was illegal
from the very first moment of its enforcement, and a transitional period for the restoration
of the Republic of Estonia was declared.

Arnold Ruutel was the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia
until October 1992.

The Estonian President (centre) is
welcomed to the Goblin Ha' Hotel.