Posted on 01/18/2007 12:42:12 PM PST by Grzegorz 246
MOSCOW, January 18 (RIA Novosti) - Moscow has issued its first official warning to Estonia amid an escalating row over the possible demolition of Soviet war memorials in the ex-Soviet Baltic state.
Estonia's parliament adopted a law last week paving the way for the dismantling of Soviet-era war memorials and the reburial of the remains of Soviet soldiers who died fighting German invaders during the Second World War, but who are seen by many Estonians as former occupiers.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Estonia's ambassador to Russia, Marina Kaljurand, who was told that in spite of protests from Moscow, Estonia was continuing attempts to form a legal basis for disinterring Soviet soldiers and destructing monuments, and that such moves could harm bilateral relations.
"The implementation of these plans is fraught with serious consequences for Russian-Estonian relations," the ministry said in a statement.
The controversial bill, which was passed in its first reading in November 2006, resulted from a dispute over a Monument to a Soviet Liberator in central Tallinn, which authorities want removed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday that Soviet war memorials in Estonia should remain where they are.
"We must insist that the monuments remain in place," he said, adding that the move was a disgrace, and had nothing to do with preserving historical accuracy.
"The task is to prevent a repetition of the lessons of World War II," he said. "We hope common sense will prevail and an understanding will be reached in order to avert the desecration of monuments to liberators."
The State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, is considering a draft resolution on severing contacts with the political forces that initiated and passed the law.
The Russian leadership has repeatedly called the European Union's attention to attempts by Estonia, which declared its independence from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s and joined NATO and the EU in 2004, to glorify Nazi Germany, including with parades by former Nazi SS fighters.
Moscow has also harshly criticized Estonia's discriminatory policies with respect to ethnic Russians who moved to the republic following its annexation by the Soviet Union in 1940 and their descendents.
Many members of Estonia's Russian community are denied citizenship and employment rights, and cannot receive an education in their native language. Amnesty International has condemned the situation in the Baltic country, and called on its leadership to respect the rights of ethnic Russians.
Estonia should build a memorial with the remains of Estonians soldiers who died fighting Soviet invaders during the Second World War.
If Estonia relents on this, they will still essentially be living under Soviet Rule.
Better behave or putin will cut off their oil too.
Russia just can't get over not being a power. If not for oil the'd be a third rate third world dung heap.
The idea that Russia can tell Estonia what they can and cannot do on their sovereign territory is unsupportable.
Russia should request that the monuments and the war dead be repatriated to Russia. The Russians can bury their dead in their own land that wants them and they can do what they wish with the war monuments.
Did Estonia make that offer? That would be the civilized thing to do.
We have been getting those warnings almost daily for quite some time now.
BTW, Russian-speakers can get a K-12 education in Russian.
My people fared no better at the hands of the Russians in the late 1800s. There is nothing new under the sun.
How about a compromise? The Estonians get to tear down all the monuments glorifying Soviet occupation if the leave the bodies of the dead soldiers alone.
Estonians are lucky that no Stalin monument left in their country. If this would be the case Putin would invade them immediately without any warnings.
Many other former Soviet satellites destroyed all such monument long time ago. I think that Russian inferiority complex towards Baltic nations showing up once again. If you ask average Russian to name the worst enemy of Russia, they will say Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania in this order. Circus like hell :)
What happens to Vladimir if world oil demands drops sharply?
He can stand on a soap box and sell pencils on 5th avenue like Gorby does.
Russian state-controlled media has conveniently ignored the fact that Estonian government is planning to RELOCATE the memorial to a graveyard. Now it is standing in a high-profile district in the centre of Tallinn. I'm a resident of Tallinn and I have to say that the majority of Tallinners are sick and tired of that memorial because it has become a popular site for pro-Soviet rallies and has been vandalized a number of times. Last year authorities took it under 24/7 surveillance. It was guarded by police officers for six months, sidewalks were blocked, a bus stop nearby was moved. That was pretty unconvenient for Tallinn residents.
I figured the rabid foaming at the mouth russian nationals would name the US their worst enemy.
bttt
He'll probably invade Poland or Ukraine.
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