RIA Novosti 18 May, 2007

Identification of exhumed soldiers continues in Estonia

TALLINN, May 18 (RIA Novosti) - A forensic bureau in Estonia has carried out a preliminary identification of the soldiers exhumed from under the Soviet-era war memorial in central Tallinn, the Estonian Foreign Ministry said Friday. Estonian authorities dismantled the World War II memorial in central Tallinn on April 27 and moved it to a military cemetery on the outskirts of the city, where they promised to rebury the Soviet soldiers.

The remains belong to 11 men and a woman, who were buried together. DNA analysis has been sent to the Russian embassy in Estonia, the source said.

Estonia wants to have the exhumed soldiers identified precisely, which will require DNA samples from two relatives of each of the 12 soldiers. Estonia

said it would cover the expenses for a comparative DNA analysis. The removal of the Bronze Soldier sparked protests in Tallinn, leaving one dead and dozens injured, and has aggravated relations between the two countries.