DATE=09/14/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-307479

TITLE=ESTONIA / REFERENDUM (S)

BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

INTRO: Voters in the Baltic republic of Estonia went to the polls on Sunday to decide whether to join the European Union. Opinion polls taken on the eve of the vote predict a big win for the "Yes" campaign. Bill Gasperini has more from Moscow.

TEXT: Estonians made their way to polling stations on a bright and sunny Sunday. The good weather is boosting the turnout that supporters of a Yes vote say should further increase their expected majority.

Close to 900-thousand Estonians are eligible to vote in the referendum, which comes 12 years after the tiny Baltic state won its independence from the Soviet Union.

A simple majority is required for the referendum to pass, enabling Estonia to join nine other countries hoping to join the European Union next May. Two opinion polls taken in the last few days indicate that between 67 and 78 percent of Estonians are likely to vote yes.

People favoring a yes vote say they believe entry into the Union would help boost Estonia's economy, which already has a strong growth rate.

Those against say they fear losing some of their hard-won sovereignty over national affairs and are worried that joining the union could mean higher prices.

Neighboring Lithuania approved entry into the E-U last May with a resounding 91 percent approval. Estonia's other neighbor, Latvia, holds its own E-U referendum next Saturday. (Signed)

NEB/BG/DW/KBK