Posted on 11/10/2006 7:08:41 AM PST by Grzegorz 246
MOSCOW, November 10 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's flamboyant ultranationalist lawmaker, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, proposed Friday that Russia should sever diplomatic ties with Estonia, its former Soviet ally in the Baltic Region.
"With respect to Estonia, we should sever diplomatic relations and announce an economic blockade," said Zhirinovsky, who is deputy speaker of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.
His remarks came following the Baltic state's passage on a first reading Thursday of a bill allowing the demolition of monuments to Soviet troops who died fighting Nazi forces in the Baltic republic in WWII, but who are branded as 'invaders' by many in the Baltic state today.
The bill bans monuments that commemorate Estonia's 'occupiers' as they could encourage social enmity.
Zhirinovsky, known for his outrageous statements, said the bill is an attempt to review the outcome of World War II, and added that Russia should take a tough position on the matter, as a "pro-Nazi state is emerging close to its border."
Marches of former Nazi SS fighters in Estonia and Latvia, two of three post-Soviet Baltic republics which are now European Union and NATO members, as well as their annexation accusations against Russia, have been a source of tensions between the three states and Russia in recent years.
The lawmaker said it does not even occur to anyone in Germany, defeated by Allied forces in 1945, to dismantle postwar monuments to the liberators.
Some political organizations, largely promoting the interests of the Russian-speaking population in the country, have opposed the legislation, urging Estonian lawmakers to postpone the bill until after parliamentary elections in March 2007.
I was wondering whatever happened to that nutcase.
BTW
http://www.fxstreet.com/news/forex-news/article.aspx?StoryId=aa6c609e-1474-4ffa-9db5-600e78b59d18
Estonia unemployment 1.4 pct at Nov 1
Thu, Nov 9 2006, 11:55 GMT
http://www.afxnews.com
TALLINN (AFX) - The number of jobless in Estonia totalled 12,019 on Nov 1, or 1.4 pct of the country's working age population, BNS news service reported, citing the Labour Market Board.
The number of jobless was down 650 or 5.1 pct from Oct 1 and down 47.1 pct from a year earlier.
"Former ally?" [hoot]
BTTT
I don't know Russian politics very well, but it's not impossible that Zhirinovsky could be a their next president.
I like Zhirinovsky. He has plenty of attitude and doesn't give up--right or wrong.
He's pro-gun. That's the only reason I'd consider voting for him. He's clever, but he's a political showman, and has never took a serious position.
He's made some threatening statements - such as re-taking Alaska and re-uniting (taking over) some of former eastern republics. He also insulted Condi implying she should play the role of a whore.
And many more such things. Like conquering access to the Indian ocean. Nothing was serious.
True - aggressive rhetoric is just a part of Kievan Rus politics and culture. I'm still forming an opinion of him. But I don't like seeing that he supported Saddam and was part of the oil for food scandal.
Kievan Rus?
But I don't like seeing that he supported Saddam and was part of the oil for food scandal.
He has never been pro-US, that's true.
Look it up. Just a reference to Russian historical roots.
!!!!
Any clue?
Zhirinovsky is not a fool as some may think. Yes, he may say extreme and sometimes simply outrageous things, but looks like it's all part of his ugly guy image that sells not only in Russia but beyond. He is not a fool--he is great at playing one.
I wonder what Russians living in Estonia will do if this idiot gets any traction with his lunatic proposal...when I was there a few years back the Russians didn't really want to return to the motherland. And that is putting it mildly.
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