Bronze soldier - News of Estonia. Tallin, Ansip, Tynismyagi

Latvian party voices support for Tallinn monument defenders

RIGA . May 19 (Interfax/BNS) - A Latvian party that was formed on Saturday via the merger of two groups passed a resolution expressing support for Estonian activists who were arrested during protests against the relocation of a Soviet World War II memorial that stood in the center of Tallinn.

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.

A schoolboy with hemophilia is held in the Estonian prison for his Russian connections

The 18 years old schoolboy Mark Siryk is left under arrest by the resolution of Kharyusskiy county court. Resolution of the district court, which ratified the resolution of the Kharyuskiy district court, is final and may not be appealed, informs the “Rosbalt” reporter.

Azerbaijan veteran of World War II: The dismantlement of the monument to the Soviet Liberator Soldier in Tallinn is blasphemy

VE-Day celebrations in Baku traditionally centred around the monument to Azi Aslanov, two times hero of the Soviet Union.

No trade sanctions against Estonia being considered - Russian ministry

Russia's Economic Development and Trade Ministry is not drafting proposals to impose trade sanctions on Estonia, Deputy Minister Vitaly Savelyev told journalists.

A German father and son describe their moments of horror in the custody of the Tallinn police

That beating was quite incomprehensible. The policemen were beating those apprehended with black jacks like crazy. There was no logic, they were just having fun and getting a kick out of beating up people, German Lucas Dornemann, 37, and Klaus Dornemann, 67, reminisce about last Friday night.

Estonian police plan to beat visitors of military cemetery - public groups

Public organizations making up the Committee of May 9 have called for a boycott of the events of the Day of Remembrance dedicated to World War II victims on Tuesday.

Patriarch Alexy thanks WWII veterans for their unmatched feat

Veterans of the Second World War were accorded on Sunday a place of honour at the St. George the Conqueror Church on the Poklonnaya Hill. Alexy II, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, performed a gala liturgy on the patron saint’s day. The church was packed to overflowing by those who came to pray and remember their kith and kin who had participated in the Second World War.

Estonian PM Ansip refuses to meet with Schroeder

Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip will not meet with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder while the latter visits Estonia, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet has said.

Estonians and ethnic Russians to meet at civil peace forum.

A forum on civil peace will open in the Estonian capital on Friday on the initiative of the city Mayor Edgar Savisaar. The forum will try to find ways of easing tensions in society and restoring civil peace.

Tajik veterans say Estonia's Soviet war monument removal big sin'.

Tajikistan's World War II veterans denounce Estonia's demolition of the monument to Soviet soldiers and exhumation of Soviet soldiers' remains.

Slovak MP says Estonian actions smack of "fascism".

Estonia's removal of a WWII monument was a sign of "fascism, racism and Nazism," the Slovak news agency TASR quoted Slovakia's deputy parliament speaker as saying Thursday.

Serbian foreign minister slams Estonia's decision to remove Soviet statue

The decision by the Estonian authorities to remove the statue of the soldier-liberator in Tallinn is not in line with respecting the best pages of European history to which the victory over Nazism and fascism more than half a century ago undoubtedly belong, the office of the Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic has said.

Three activists of Night Watch movement detained in Estonia

Estonia’s police have detained three activists of the anti-fascist Night Watch movement - Pavel Zuyev, Oleg Filippov and Yelena Sheremet -, a member of this organization, Larisa Neshchadimova, told Itar-Tass on Thursday.

Estonia PM deliver special address to Russian speakers

Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip delivered a special address to Russian speakers in the republic on Thursday.

Russian Jewry Congress: EU must give up double standards regarding Russia, Estonia

Vladimir Shternfeld, the chairman of the World Congress of Russian Jewry's Board of Trustees, expressed surprise over the European Union's plans to send a delegation to Russia to convey concern about protest actions near the Estonian embassy in Moscow.

Patriarch Alexy denounce Bronze Soldier dismantling--adds.

It is the most unworthy thing to fight the dead, said Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, commenting on the situation with the dismantling of the Monument to the Liberator Soldier and the exhumation of the graves of Soviet soldiers, who died during World War II. He gave an interview to journalists after a religious service in the Pokrovsky nunnery of Moscow on Wednesday.

Testimonies of the Prisoners of Concentration Camp “Terminal D”

Aleksander (ND): “Special forces came from both sides of Viru Street. The young people had already run away, of course, taking advantage of the alleys. Those who remained, assuming that running would provoke detention, were knocked facedown onto the ground and placed in plastic handcuffs. An Estonian man who happened to be next to me began to explain something in Estonian, and the police let him go. After lying on the pavement for 15 minutes, four of us, Russians, were loaded onto a regular bus and taken to the port.

Dimitriy Klenskiy: Lawlessness in “Free” Estonia

On Saturday night, 28 April, at approximately 1:30 a.m., a member of the administrative board of the “Night Watch” movement, Aleksandr Korobov, phoned in from a warehouse at Terminal D in the Tallinn seaport, where more than one hundred participants and spectators of a protest demonstration were being held.

Witness to the Acts of Brutality by the Estonian Police

Everyone on the street then, both protesters and ordinary passers-by, with their hands bound, were arrested and taken to brick-built warehouse building number 19-6 in the port area. At this time, there were already about 300 persons there, and the number grew to approximately 450 over the entire period of detention. The policemen gave no reason for the detention.

Duma delegation confirms human rights violations in Estonia

A State Duma delegation has confirmed extensive violations of human rights in Estonia in the April 27-29 events related to the dismantlement of the Soldier-Liberator Monument in Tallinn, delegation member and First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma International Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky told Itar-Tass by phone.

Tallinn residents bringing flowers to Bronze Soldier

Many Tallinn residents are visiting the city military cemetery, where the Soldier-Liberator Monument was installed on Monday.

JUHAN KIVIRÄHK: A bloody start for the new three-party alliance

Sociology has long studied how the actions of crowds get out of control. The events in Tallinn in the early hours of Friday almost seemed to follow the chrestomathic texts repeated in textbook after textbook.

Estonia prepared for dialogue with Russia - foreign ministry

Tallinn is prepared for an open dialogue with Russia, the Estonian Foreign Ministry has said. "We've always been open for dialogue with the Russian side, which can be seen from Estonia's readiness to receive a delegation of the Russian State Duma," Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said in a statement on Monday.

Estonia's blasphemy.

The long and painful war against the ideas and practices of Nazi fascism left few people in Europe unaffected. World War II however started well before the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, declared war on Nazi Germany in 1939 in response to Germany's invasion and occupation of Poland.

Soviet statue defenders complain about Estonian police

[Presenter] The capital of Estonia is in a state of siege. Unprecedented security measures have been taken there. Thousands of policemen from all over the country have been relocated to Tallinn. The authorities are afraid of new riots. Meanwhile, the fate of many people detained over the last two days remains unknown. Both in Estonia and outside it people say that the actions of the security forces were unjustifiably ruthless. Valeriy Taran reports.

Tallin protest demonstrations spreading to other Estonian cities

TALLINN, April 28 (Itar-Tass) - Protest demonstrations against the removal in Tallinn of the monument to the Soviet Soldier--liberator of the Estonian capital from German fascist occupation, have spread out to the other cities of the republic. Demonstrations, which eventually turned into street riots, took place last night in Kohtla-Yarve and Jihvi that is in the north-eastern part of the country, where most of the Russian-speaking population of Estonia now lives.

Russian citizen killed in unrest in Tallinn - Russian foreign ministry

MOSCOW. April 28 (Interfax) - A Russian citizen permanently residing in Estonia was killed in the unrest that followed attempts to disperse protesters defending the monument to the Liberator Soldier in Tallinn early on April 27, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

WWII memorial protests continue in Estonia, police arrest 500

TALLINN, April 28 (RIA Novosti) - Protests over the removal of a World War II statue from central Tallinn have continued in the Estonian capital into early Saturday.

Unrest over dismantling of WW II monument in Estonia continues

Estonia’s capital remains a scene of unrest triggered by the government’s decision to dismantle the monument commemorating the Soviet soldiers who liberated Tallinn from Nazi occupation during World War II.

Duma demands economic sanctions against Estonia

The State Duma expects the Russian government to take immediate economic sanctions against Estonia and sanctions in the field of transport, energy and finances.

The Union of Russian Citizens of Estonia: Declaration of prime-minister: "witch hunt" has been declared

Declaration of Kristina Oyuland, Estonian parliament's vice-speaker, chairman of the parliamentary commission for the European Union affairs and deputy chairman of the Reformist party in air of the TV3 TV-channel on prospective punishment of all opponents of the Estonian government plan concerning dismantlement of the Bronze Soldier has aroused indignation among Estonia's non-citizens and citizens of other countries.

Estonian soldiers have been given live cartridges

Estonian soldiers have been delivered live cartridges for protecting public order in Tallinn. One of the servicemen in Estonia's army informed Russia TV channel of that.

The decision on dismantlement of the monument to Warrior-Liberator of Tallin has been personally taken by Estonian prime-minister

The decision on dismantlement of the monument was taken at the emergency government session last night and was carried into effect.

Estonian anti-fascist was held for half a day in the police

Andrey Zarenkov, the secretary of Estonia's anti-fascist committee was detained by the police since morning till 3 p.m. (local time).

Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PASE) expressed deep concern with the events in Tallinn.

Rene van der Linden, chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PASE) expressed deep concern of the events occurring in Tallinn previous night, the assembly's declaration which has been disseminated today, informs.

Speaker of the Ukrainian parliament calls Estonian powers' actions for dismantlement of the Bronze soldier in Tallinn a blasphemy.

Alexander Moroz, the speaker of Ukrainian parliament called a blasphemy the actions of the Estonian powers, who had dismantled the monument to Warriors-Liberators in Tallinn under the screen of night on Friday.

Some Russian tour operators called their colleagues to discontinue sales of tours to Estonia, press-secretary of the Russian Union of tourindustry says.

Some Russian tourist operators called their colleagues to avoid sales of tours to Estonia, Irina Turina, press-secretary of the Russian Union of tour industry announced on Friday. "Some tour operators called their colleagues to avoid sales of tours to Estonia due to the emerged situation ", Turina said.

Moldovan veterans are shocked with the actions of the Estonian powers

Moldovan veterans are amazed and astonished with actions of the Estonian government having dismantled the monument to the "Bronze soldier" in the centre of Tallinn. This was declared on April 27 by the Republican Council of veterans of Moldova.

Ex-President of Roumania appeals to take into account opinions of the parties when making a decision on the question about removal of monuments

When making a decision on the questions of removal of monuments to soviet soldiers in Europe it is necessary to consider opinions of all interested parties, thinks Ion Iliescu, the ex-President of Roumania.

Tajikistan veterans condemned demolition of the Bronze soldier in Tallinn

The veterans of the Great Patriotic War inhabiting Tajikistan called the demolition of the Bronze solider in Tallinn act of vandalism and barbarity.

Norway understands the feelings of Russian people in connection with the dismantlement the Bronze Soldier in Tallinn - head of MIA

Norway understands the feelings that the people have in Russia after the dismantlement of the Warrior-Liberator monument in Tallinn, informed Ionas Gar Stere, head of MIA of Norway.

Manolis Glezos, a hero of Greek Resistance, named the demolition of the Bronze Soldier in Tallinn an attempt to restore Nazism

Manolis Glezos, a national hero of Greece, one of the most famous fighters against Nazism, took a grave view of the demolition of the Bronze Soldier by authorities of Estonia.

In consequence of examination of Dmitry Linter, leader of the movement "Night Watch", was hospitalized

Dmitry Linter, leader of the movement "Night Watch", is in a hospital, under a dripper.

"Telegraph" (Latvia) April 27, 2007

In MIA of Belorussia one consider that "dramatic events" in Tallinn on the night of 26th/27th of April - are the result of irresponsible actions of Estonian authorities

"Belarus is a country where every third inhabitant perished in the years of the World War II. Any outrage upon the memory of victims of this war creates a feeling of wrath and regret", - stated press-secretary if MIA of Belarus Andrey Popov.

Xinhua News Agency 27 April 2007

Former German chancellor condemns war memorial removal in Estonia

Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder condemned on Friday the removal of a Russian war memorial in Estonia.

Kyrgyz legislators denounce Bronze Soldier dismantling

Deputies to the National Parliament of Kyrgyzstan have met with indignation the report about the dismantling by the Estonian authorities of the Monument to the Liberator Soldier - to all those who liberated Tallinn from Nazi invasion, Kubanychbek Isabekov, deputy speaker of the National Parliament, told Itar-Tass on Friday. "I regard it as sacrilege and as a political act against history," he stressed.

Gref foresees worse relations with Estonia

Apparently, the current situation in Estonia will lead to worse political and economic relations with Russia, Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref said in comments on the dismantlement of the Soldier-Liberator Monument in Tallinn.

BBC News:Estonia removes Soviet memorial

The Estonian authorities have removed a contentious Red Army war memorial in the capital, Tallinn, despite overnight protests that left one person dead.

Kazakh MPs call on Estonian parliament to "show respect" for fallen soldiers

MPs of the Kazakh parliament's upper chamber [Senate] have called on the Estonian parliament to show prudence and respect for the memory of fallen soldiers, MP [chairman of the parliamentary committee on international affairs, defence and security] Akhan Bizhanov said during a plenary session today.

Federation Council for severing dipl relations with Estonia

The Federation Council came out for severing diplomatic relations with Estonia. The Federation Council put forth this statement issued because of the situation, which emerged around the Monument to Liberator-Soldier in Tallinn.

Leader of monument protection movement detained in Tallinn

Leader of the movement “Night Watch” Dmitry Lipner was detained in Tallinn, Lipner’s mother told reporters in a live broadcast on the Russian television network TVC on Friday.

Duma to consider downgrading diplomatic relations with Estonia

MOSCOW. April 27 (Interfax) - Head of the Duma International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachyov has recommended that the State Duma approve a draft statement downgrading diplomatic relations with Estonia and banning entry to the country by those Estonian politicians who have tarnished themselves in connection with the Soviet Soldier monument in Tallinn.

Under the screen of night Estonian powers have dismantled the Bronze soldier in spite of the prime-minister’s promise that on May 9 the monument would still remain in place

On Friday night by proposal of the government’s crisis commission the Estonian government took a decision on dismantlement of Warrior-Liberator monument in Tynismyagi in Tallinn.
"By Friday morning this decision was carried out and the Bronze soldier was dismantled and taken and the police protection”, the government press-service informed.

Estonia removes Red Army statue after night riots

Estonia spirited away the contentious statue of a Red Army Soviet soldier from the centre of the capital in the early hours on Friday after violent riots against its removal in which one man was killed.

The “Bronze Soldier”, a Monument to Soldiers-Liberators on Tõnismägi Hill in Tallinn

On 12 June 1945 Tõnismägi Square in Tallinn was renamed “Liberators’ Square”, and a temporary wooden monument to the Red Army soldiers who died during the liberation of Tallinn was placed there.

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Tallinn Soldier Liberator monument dismantled

The monument to the WW2 monument to Soldier Liberator in downtown Tallinn has been dismantled under a corresponding decision made at an extraordinary meeting of the Estonian government overnight. The decision has already been implemented - the monument has been moved to the Tallinn military cemetery.

Estonian police detain over 100 protesters

Estonian police clashed late on Thursday and detained over a hundred demonstrators protesting against the pull-down of a monument to Soviet World War Two Liberator Soldier in Tallinn.

Dismantlement of a monument to Soviet soldiers in Tallinn stimulates the activities of extremists worldwide, says the main rabbi of Russia

Russian main rabbi Berl Lazar warned Estonian powers from excavating communal grave in the centre of Tallinn.

The Mayor of Tallinn: the government behaves itself not in a wise way

The leader of centrist party and mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar considers that it’s unwise to behave unilaterally on the issue of the Bronze soldier.

Russia blasts exhumation of Soviet soldiers in Tallinn

Russia's parliamentary speaker condemned Thursday the start of the exhumation and reburial of 13 fallen WWII Soviet soldiers in the Estonian capital as obscurantism.

Estonia to Excavate Soviet War Grave

Protesters gathered at a Soviet war grave in downtown Tallinn on Thursday, as authorities prepared to remove the bodies despite Russia's angry objections.

Monument to Soviet soldiers in Tallinn to be blocked from access on May9 - Estonian premier

There will be no chance to lay flowers or wreaths near the monument to Soviet soldiers who liberated Tallinn from the Nazis during WWII on May 9, 2007, as excavations at the common gravesite under the monument will be underway at the time, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said on Estonian television on Thursday.

Russian human rights organizations criticize Estonia on monument

Russian human rights organizations have criticized Estonian authorities for planning to dismantle the Soldier-Liberator Monument in Tallinn.

Work starts to exhume Soviet soldiers in Tallinn.

Work started Thursday morning on the exhumation and reburial of fallen WWII Soviet soldiers buried by the Bronze Soldier statue in Tallinn.

Heads of the ministry of foreign affairs of the CIS countries expressed their concern of the situation around the monument to the Soviet liberating soldier in Tallinn

Heads of the foreign political departments of the CIS member-states negotiated a statement, expressing their concern concerning the situation emerging round the Liberating Soldier in Estonia, Andrey Denisov, the first deputy Minister of foreign affairs informed Interfax-Kazakhstan agency on Wednesday in Astana.

Latvian antifascists barred from entering Estonia.

Latvian Antifascist Committee representatives were detained on the Latvian-Estonian border on the night to April 25 and not allowed to enter Estonia, committee chairman Eduard Goncharov told Itar-Tass.

Estonia's intellectuals urge DM to cancel monument dismantling.

Several Estonian scholars have addressed Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo with an open letter urging him to cancel the excavations around the monument to the Liberator Soldier in central Tallinn. Aaviksoo is responsible for the works to exhume the remains of Soviet soldiers and to dismantle the monument, scheduled for April 25.

NIGHT GUARDS’ STATEMENT

In the centre of Tallinn, in the Tonismae Square, there is a monument to those who died during the Second World War. Today the Estonian government is waging war on it. For many residents of our country this monument has always been a symbol of the victory over Nazism. Every year on Europe Day and Victory Over The Nazis Day, which is celebrated on the 9th of May, people come to lay flowers on it all day long from the early hours of the morning till the latest hours of the evening. For them this “Bronze Soldier Monument” commemorates their brothers, fathers, sons and grandsons who never came back home from the war.

Russia FM hands note to Estonia over WW2 monument-adds

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the relocation of the monument to the Soldier Liberator in Tallinn and graves near this monument “will have most serious consequences for relations between Russia and Estonia .”

Estonia police bans rally in protection of Soldier monument.

The Estonian police banned the rally “For tolerance and dialogue” (set for this Sunday) in the protection of the Liberator Soldier monument. Members of the voluntary movement “Night Watch” suggested staging it near the Clock of Freedom opposite the Tallinn Townhall and called on all supporters for preserving the monument to lay flowers at its pedestal.

Additional police brought to Tallinn as memorial dismantling planned.

Vacations are canceled for Estonian police from April 23 and additional forces from other regions will be sent to Tallinn to ensure public order in Tallinn 's central area where a monument to a soldier is located, police sources said.

Estonia Interior Ministry stays aloof from monument dismantling.

Estonia's Interior Minister Juri Pihl said that his subordinates would not take part in the exhumation of Soviet soldiers' remains from the common grave in central Tallinn. Nor would they help remove the monument to the Liberator Soldier that commemorates the feat of those Soviet soldiers who died while liberating Estonia's capital from the Nazis.

Defense Ministry now in charge of Estonian military cemeteries.

The government of Estonia has decided to transfer control of all the country's military cemeteries to the Defense Ministry, the government's press service said Thursday.

Greece stands against the Estonian Government intention to demolish the Tallinn Warrior-Liberator Monument, declared the Ministry of International Affairs of Greece

History must not have a negative impact on relation development between two countries. This was a comment of official representative of Greece MIA, Georgious Koumoutsakos, of situation with intention of Estonian Government to demolish the Tallinn Warrior-Liberator from Hitler occupation Monument.

"The plans of Tallinn Warrior anti-fascist dismantling are state secret" - a decision of government Commission

All the events connected with excavations of common grave in the center of Tallinn and forthcoming dismantling of the Monument to Warrior-Liberator of the city from Hitler occupation, located in the neighborhood, are announced to be a state secret in Estonia. This is a decision of Government Commission on Security, the meeting of which took place on Tuesday. This was done for fear of exasperation of international tensions.

Soviet reburials in Tallinn to begin in late April - ministry.

The reburial of Soviet soldiers resting near a Soviet monument in central Tallinn will begin in late April, the Estonian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

Estonian PM secretly ready to move Bronze Soldier - committee.

Estonia's prime minister is secretly preparing to dismantle a Soviet monument because the idea does not have enough public and government support, the secretary of the Baltic country's Anti-Fascist Committee said Wednesday.

Defenders of WWII monument in Tallinn to rally at COE office.

A group of activists from "Night Watch", a voluntary movement for the preservation of the Monument to Soviet Soldier-Liberator in the Estonian capital, will rally at the Council of Europe office in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Wolfgang Stroek: even Germany treats the memory of Soviet soldiers more carefully than Estonia

Even Germany as a former enemy of Russia in the World War II treats the memory of Soviet soldiers more carefully than Estonia, as the Head of Representation of National Union of Germany, the authorized throughout the Russian Federation, the Ukraine and Belorussia Wolfgang Stroek declared on the meeting with journalists today.

Estonia not interested in catching Nazi criminals.

Estonia is not interested in bringing to book Nazi criminals of the times of the Second World War. This is said in the annual report of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre searching for Nazi war criminals all over the world.

Tallinn court dismissed a complaint of captain Sysoev’s daughters.

As it came to know by “Izvestia”, Tallinn administrative court dismissed a complaint of captain Sysoev daughters, buried at Bronze Warrior in the center of Estonian capital. The reason is - “the wrong document proceeding”. Ezmeralda Menshkova and Svetlana Gnevasheva were given 30 day for “juridical lapses” correction.

Across eastern Europe, memorials to those who died fighting the Nazis are being dismantled and the far Right rehabilitated.

ACROSS CENTRAL and eastern Europe, nationalists are exploiting the painful history of the Second World War to whip up anti-Russian feeling and rehabilitate the far Right as social and economic discontent grows — and the process is mirrored in Russia. The latest in a string of such moves is the decision by the Polish authorities to block the reopening of the permanent Russian exhibition at the site of the Auschwitz death camp because of its description of some of its victims (from annexed pre-war Polish territory) as Soviet citizens.

The daughters of soldier, buried at the Monument, applied to the President with request for “leaving the ashes of their father alone”.

To the President of Estonian Republic Toomas Hendric Ilves.

Dear Mr. Ivles!

We, the citizens of Russian federation Ezmeralda Ivanovna Menshikova and Svetlana Ivanovna Gvenasheva, would like to apply to You with personal request for help and assistance.

Tallinn Mayor accuses Defense Minister of violation of laws during working out the plans to rebury the remains of Soviet Warriors.

Tallinn Mayor Edgar Savisaar supposes Defense Minister violates the effective legislation while planning the start of reburying the remains of Soviet Warriors, as the Town Hall press-service reported.

Estonian Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo: Bronze Warrior Monument will be dismantled after Victory Day

Estonian Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo believes that the rebury of the remains of Soviet Warriors resting at The Liberator Warrior Monument in Tallinn and it’s dismantling will be carry out after Victory Day.

Estonian Government ignored Remembrance Day for Prisoners of Nazi concentration camps

There were no arrangements in the Estonian Government schedule, connecting with celebration today, the 11th of April, the International Remembrance Day for Prisoners of Nazi concentration camps.

Jurgen Ligi: Preparation for excavations at Tynismyagi starts in April

TALLINN , April 03 (Postimees On-line)-Estonian Defense Minister Jurgen Ligi declared that the Ministry plans to start the preparation to excavation of military burial places at Tynismyagi during April.

Future Estonian Defense Minister stands for Bronze Warrior removal

Andrus Ansip: the Liberator Warrior Monument of Tallinn will be transferred to cemetery

Work to scrap monument to Soviet Soldier begins in Estonia

Tallinn cemetery Sisellin is not ready to accept “Bronze Warrior”

TALLINN, March 14th (Informaton Agency “REGNUM”) -- There is no vacancy at Tallinn cemetery Sisellin and no burial took place for a long time with the exception of individual burring of relatives and close friends at the place of previously bought lots.

The Committee recommends reburying the remains from Tynismyagi

TALLINN, March 13th (Postimees Online) -- The Military Burial Committee directed to the Ministry of Defense recommendation to rebury the remains, resting on the territory of the monument to fallen during World War Second at Tynismyagi.

According to data provided by interrogation supporters of preservation Bronze Warrior exceed

TALLINN, March 12th (Postimees Online) -- Carried out on the request of newspaper Eesti Päevaleht the interrogation revealed that in Estonia the supporters of preservation at Tynismyagi exceed the number of whose who longing for its transportation.

War on monuments can make Estonians nation without a past – view

TALLINN, March 1 (Itar-Tass) -- The Estonian authorities' war on Soviet-era monuments can make the Estonians a nation without a past, the chairman of the Narva city assembly, Mikhail Stalnukhin, said on Thursday.

Russia, Estonia should negotiate future of monument — Collins

WASHINGTON, February 28 (Itar-Tass) - Russia and Estonia should decide the future of the Monument to the Liberator Soldier in downtown Tallinn by means of talks, James Collins, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, who is now in charge of East European programmes of the Carnegie Endowment of Washington, has said in an interview with Itar-Tass.

They piously revere memory of those who perished during the World War II in Israel –Liberman

Moscow, on the 27th of February/ITAR-TASS/. They piously revere memory of those who perished during World War II in Israel. Today as the vice-premier, Minister of Strategic Matters in the Government of Israel Avidgor Lieberman declared on the press conference at ITAR-TASS today.

Why do American authorities seem indifferent to mental terrorism in Estonia?

Something strange and awful is happening in the post-soviet republic and currently a European state – Estonia.

Slovakia's president opposes attempts to revise WW II history

PRAGUE, January 23 (Itar-Tass) — Slovakia’s president Ivan Gasparovic has emphatically opposed any attempts to revise the WW II history and liquidate monuments to Soviet soldiers.

Veterans were prevented from laying the flowers on a Bronze Soldier monument

May flowers be freely placed on graves in Estonia today? May one revere the memory of fallen heroes without running the danger?

Estonian President Toomas Hendrick Ilves vetoed legislation that had called for the removal of a Soviet war memorial erected in 1947

In a case which may have implications for all of Eastern Europe, on Feb. 22 Estonian President Toomas Hendrick Ilves vetoed legislation that had called for the removal of a Soviet war memorial erected in 1947.

Estonian firms refuse to deliver flowers to Bronze Soldier Monument

On February 22, REGNUM St. Petersburg Bureau tried to order delivery of flowers from several Russian companies. The flowers were supposed to be laid to the Bronze Soldier Monument in Tallinn (Estonia). Several firms refused to fulfill the order, citing as reason the fact that Estonian partners in Tallinn do not presume fulfilling the order because of the “tense political situation” around the monument.

Estonian president: Soviet troops who fought against fascists are a gang of bandits

A gang of bandits, Nazis, was expelled by another gang – Soviet troops,” Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves commented on the historical events connected with liberation of Estonia from the fascist troops in 1944 in an interview to BBC. The president also noted that the monument to soldiers killed in the World War II (Bronze Soldier Monument) in Tonismagi Square in Tallinn is offensive for Estonians, calling it a monument to mass killings. “This the way people see it. Probably, it is unpleasant to hear it, but in our perception this soldier embodies deportation and killings, destruction of the country instead of liberation.”

American congressman condemned Estonia’s policy concerning the Soviet monuments

MOSCOW, February 21, - RIA Novosti. The Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the US Congress House of Representatives Tomas Lantos condemned Estonia’s policy concerning the Soviet monuments.

The monument to admiral Johan Pitka, who waged war against the troops of anti-Hitler coalition has been opened in Estonia

In honor of the 135th anniversary of admiral Johan Pitka – the creator of the volunteer militarized organization Kaitseliit in Tallinn the monument has been opened in solemn atmosphere.

Mikhail Gorbachev considers correct the Estonian president's decision not to approve law on demolition of the monument to Soldier-liberator in Tallinn

MOSCOW, February, 15. /ITAR TASS /. Mikhail Gorbachev, ex-president of the USSR, considers correct Estonian president's decision not to approve law, allowing to dismantle monument to Solider-liberator in the center of Tallinn as a "prohibited construction ".

Vice-prime minister of Estonia struggles with memory, - says Ukrainian vice prime-minister

KIEV, February 15. /ITAR TASS /. The decision of Estonian parliament on demolition of the monument to Warrior liberator is faulty and splits the Estonian society. Today this was announced to the journalists by Dimitry Tabachnik, vice prime-minister, who expressed his personal attitude to the current events.

The Leader of Tajikistan's Islamic Revival Party: the Monument to the Soldier Liberator in Tallinn is an Important Part of History

DUSHANBE, 15 February. /ITAR TASS/. Muhiddin Kabiri, Tajik member of parliament and leader of the influential Party of Islamic Revival of Tajikistan (PIRO), believes that the law passed in Estonia permitting the dismantling of the monument to the Soldier Liberator in Tallinn is ill-timed and short-sighted. He stated his opinion today in a conversation with an ITAR TASS correspondent, saying that "this monument is part of history, and it must be respected".

Eduard Shevardnadze, Former Head of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ex-President of Georgia

TBILISI, 15 February. /ITAR TASS Corr. Tengiz Pachkoriya/. Eduard Shevardnadze, former head of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ex-president of Georgia, believes "it makes no sense to relocate or dismantle monuments". He said this today, commenting on the controversy unfolding in Estonia and other countries over the Estonian parliament's passage of the bill "On the Elimination of Prohibited Structures" and the possible dismantling of the monument to the Soldier Liberator in Tallinn.

Belgian Member of Parliament: Assailing the Memory of Fighters against Fascism is Intolerable

BRUSSELS, 15 Feb - Novosti Russian Information Agency, Aleksandr Shishlo. Francois-Xavier de Donnea, member of the Belgian Parliament from the Reform Movement, has called on the authorities in European Union countries, particularly Estonia, to refrain from assailing the memory of fighters against fascism.

Lithuania president against demolition of monument in Tallinn

WASHINGTON, February 14 (Itar-Tass) - The monument to the Soldier Liberator must remain in its place in central Tallinn, as it is part of history, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus told Tass in Washington on Tuesday.

Issue of Heroization of Fascism in Estonia is Brought Before Parliament in Belgium

BRUSSELS, 14 December / ITAR TASS Corr. Denis Dubrovin/Today the issue of heroization of fascism is brought before the session of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives. ITAR TASS correspondent reports that today, during its evening session, the Foreign Affairs Commission will consider inquiry by Francois-Xavier de Donnea, member representing Reform Movement, addressed to Karel de Guht, the Foreign Minister of Belgium, concerning the issue of heroization of the SS troops in Estonia

Estonian Parliament Supports Quick Relocation of Monument to Soviet Soldiers

TALLINN, 13 February, BNS - Estonia's parliament on Tuesday supported in its second reading an amendment to the bill on illegal structures, the according to which the government has 30 days after the law enters into force to remove the monument to Soviet soldiers from Tynismyagi.

Bronze soldier - Toomas Vitsut: structures are within the purview of local government

Toomas Vitsut, president of the Tallinn City Assembly, leading a roundtable on the Bronze Soldier, condemns parliament's interference in the powers of local government.

"The bill on illegal structures conflicts with the constitution" says the President of Estonia

TALLIN, 13 February, BNS - According to Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the bill on illegal structures that was supported by that country's parliament on Tuesday contains conflicts with the Constitution.

Leading Estonia Lawyers Criticise the Draft Law on Prohibited Structures

TALLINN, 13 February, BNS - The Reform Party and the Isamaa and Res Publica Alliance, which are in favor of moving the monument to Soviet soldiers (Bronze Soldier) from Tynismyagi Hill in the centre of Tallinn are taking the path of legal nihilism if they successfully move the draft Law on Prohibited Structures through parliament.

Greek War Veterans Strongly Condemn the Estonian AuthoritiesÒ Plans to Dismantle the Monument to the Soldier Liberator in Tallinn

ATHENS, 12 February. /ITAR TASS Corr. Yuri Malinov/. The Chair of the Greek National Federation of Resistance Fighters, Georgios Moraitis, has strongly condemned the Estonian AuthoritiesÒ plans to dismantle the monument to the Soldier Liberator in Tallinn. ÓOur position concerning the plans to dismantle the monument to Soviet soldiers in Estonia is perfectly clear: we condemn these plans in the strongest wayÔ, he said in an interview with an ITAR TASS correspondent.

Canadian Senator Marcel Prudhomme Considers the Estonian AuthoritiesÒ Plans for the Monument to the Soldier Liberator in Tallinn a ÓMistakeÔ

OTTAWA, 12 February. /ITAR TASS Corr. Igor Borisenko/. Senator Marcel Prudhomme, an influential political leader in Canada, believes that the Estonian authoritiesÒ plans to dismantle the monument to the Soldier Liberator in Tallinn and relocate the remains of the Soviet soldiers are a ÓmistakeÔ. ÓThis is the first IÒve heard of it, but it is very sadÔ, he emphasised in a conversation with an ITAR TASS correspondent.

A Swiss Newspaper on the Situation Concerning the Monument to the Soviet Soldier in Tallinn

GENEVA, 9 February /ITAR TASS Corr./ The newspaper Tan has published an article ÓMonument to the Discord between Estonia and RussiaÔ.

Ansip Will Dismantle All Unwanted Monuments

At a meeting under the aegis of the prime minister at Stenbok House, representatives of the Reform Party and the Pro Patria Union and Res Publica agreed that specific prohibitions aimed at the Bronze Soldier and Peter I will be incorporated into the Law on Dismantling of Prohibited Structures.

Estonia Veterans to Putin: “The Monument Must Stay in Estonia”

The Bronze Soldier Monument in Tallinn should stay where it is and not leave Estonia – that is the opinion expressed to a REGNUM Information Agency correspondent today, 1 February, by representatives of Estonian veterans organisations commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement that “if it comes to dismantling monuments and reburying the sacred remains of our soldiers, then we are ready to make an offer to the current Estonian government that they be reburied in the Russian Federation”.

Estonia’s Prime Minister Hopes to Enact the Law on Prohibited Structures before the Elections

TALLINN, 1 February, BNS – Estonia’s Prime Minister Andrus Ansip hopes that the current parliament will manage to enact the law on prohibited structures before the parliamentary elections in March.

Burial Grounds of Soviet Soldiers in Estonia Will Not Be Moved to Another Country, Says Estonian Ambassador to the RF

The burial grounds of Soviet soldiers in Estonia will not be moved to another country, Franek Persidski, press secretary of the Estonian Embassy in the Russian Federation said on Echo Moskvy radio.

Estonia policy re Soviet WW2 memorial short-sighted-Putin.

MOSCOW, February 1 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that possible reburial of the remains of Soviet WW2 soldiers in Estonia “is an absolutely short-sighted, ultranationalistic” policy that “does not take into account problems of fighting nazism and present-day realities.”

Estonia’s Social Democrats Move to Postpone Discussion of the “Bronze Soldier” to After the Election

The Social Democratic Party of Estonia today, February 1, moved to postpone the political discussion of the Bronze Soldier monument until after Estonia’s parliamentary elections, which will take place on March 4, according to a statement from Ivari Padar, chair of the party and chair of the parliamentary faction, sent to REGNUM Information agency.

Rightists Propose that Ansip Dismantle the Monument

Taavi Veskimyagi and Tynis Lukas, co-chairs of the alliance of the Pro Patria Union and Res Publica, will propose at a meeting with Prime Minister Andrus Ansip that the dismantling of the Bronze Soldier be written into law.

The Estonian authorities’ intentions to dismantle the monument to the Soldier Liberator are “simply obscene” – Ernst Neizvestny

NEW YORK 31 January. /ITAR TASS Corr. Konstantin Yelovsky/. The Estonian authorities’ intentions to dismantle the monument to the Soldier Liberator are “simply obscene”. Famous sculptor Ernst Neizvestny, who lives in New York, stated this opinion in an interview with ITAR TASS on Tuesday. Of course, he noted, “History at any given moment can be viewed from different perspectives”, but “civilized people, not savages, must look beyond short term political interests”.

Europe must remember Soviet Army role in WWII - view.

LOS ANGELES, January 29 (Itar-Tass) — The role of the Soviet Army and the Soviet Union in the liberation of Europe, and Baltic States in particular, from nazism must under no circumstances be forgotten or denied, the chairwoman of the Moscow-Tel Aviv Friendship Society told Tass on Monday.

Call to safeguard Soviet military tombs in Baltic States

OTTAWA, January 29 (Itar-Tass) — The Russians, now living abroad, must pay “their closest attention” to the danger that is now looming over the Soviet soldiers’ tombs in Estonia and over the memorial complex in Tallinn, Spokesman for the Moscow House of Fellow-Countrymen in Canada Valery Tokmakov told Itar-Tass

Cyprus veterans denounce Estonia plans

NICOSIA, January 29 (Itar-Tass) —— The pulling down of the monuments, “which were built legally to commemorate the people who sacrificed their lives in the war on fascism, is nothing but a crime,” Loizos Demitriou, President of the Cyprus Association of Veterans, told Itar-Tass on Monday, commenting on the intention of the Estonian government to pull down the monument to the Liberator Soldier

WWII veterans come against dismantling Soviet Soldier monument.

RIGA, January 29 (Itar-Tass) — WWII Latvian veterans come against dismantling the monument to the Soviet Soldier-Liberator in Tallinn.

Greek MP protests against Estonia plans

ATHENS, January 29 (Itar-Tass) — Simos Kedikoglu, a member of the Greek parliament from the ruling New Democracy Party and chairman of the Greece-Russia friendship group in the Greek parliament, has made a strong protest against the intention to pull down the Monument to the Liberator Soldier in Tallinn, which commemorates those who liberated the city from Nazi invasion.

A Memorial Ceremony for Holocaust Victims Is Held in Washington. Participants Pay Tribute to Soviet Soldier Liberators

WASHINGTON , 27 January. /ITAR TASS Corr. Andrei Shitov/. A memorial ceremony for victims of the Holocaust – the wholesale slaughter of Jews during World War II – was held on Friday at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. It was timed to coincide with International Holocaust Remembrance Day, designated as January 27 by a UN resolution. On that day in 1945 the Soviet Army liberated the largest of the Nazi concentration camps in Poland – Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Greek politician denounces Estonian law on war monuments

ATHENS, January 27 (Itar-Tass) — The law, adopted in Estonia, which paves the way to the pulling down of monuments to Soviet soldiers, “runs counter to the stand of the European Union and resolutions of the European Parliament, which have always paid a tribute of respect to war victims,” Alekos Alavanos, leader of the Greek Coalition of Left-Wing and Progressive Forces, said in an exclusive interview with Itar-Tas

European WWII veterans protest against Estonia plans

BRUSSELS, January 27 (Itar-Tass) – The actions of the Estonian authorities around the monument to the Liberator Soldier have triggered strong protests of the European veterans of the Resistance Movement, Michel Vanderborgt, President of the International Federation of Members of the Resistance Movement (FIR), told Itar-Tass.

The Estonian Parliament's Intention to Dismantle the Monuments to the Soldier Liberators Provokes

MOSCOW, 26 January. /ITAR TASS/. The Estonian Parliament's intention to dismantle the Monument to the Soldier Liberators has provoked anger and shock throughout the world. “An outrage,” is what veterans in Ukraine call the situation. “This is an outrage when government authorities threaten the holy of holies – the memory and remains of people who protected the world from fascism at the cost of their lives,” stated Valentin Anastasiev, first deputy chair of the national council of war veterans.

Hungarian veterans denounce Estonian law

BUDAPEST, January 24 (Itar-Tass) – The decision of the Estonian authorities concerning the Soviet monuments is an inhuman step, an open manifestation of a careless attitude to history and to all-human values, Klara Sugar, deputy head of the Hungarian Union of Resistance Fighters and Antifascists, told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

Manolis Glezos, National Hero of Greece, Protests the Plans to Dismantle the Monument to the Soldier Liberator in Tallin

ATHENS, 25 January. /ITAR TASS correspondent Yuri Malinov/. Manolis Glezos, a national hero of Greece and a participant in the Greek Resistance during World War II, strongly protested the plans to dismantle the Monument to the Soldier Liberators in Tallinn.

The Estonian Authorities’ Intent to Dismantle Monuments to Soviet Soldiers is an Insult to Russians – Father Superior of the Moscow Patriarchate in Copenhagen

COPENHAGEN, 25 January. /ITAR TASS Correspondent Gennadi Kulbitsky/. “The Estonian Parliament’s decision to pass a law on dismantling of monuments to Soviet soldiers who died in the Second World War may be an insult to the nationalistic and religious feelings of Russians, because World War II is still a victory against an enemy of Christianity, which is “accustomed” in the words of Metropolitan Sergei (Stragorodsky) “to sneer at the high demands of honor and morals.” The father superior of the Alexander Nevsky parish of the Moscow Patriarchate, Feofan (Lukyanov) said this in an exclusive interview with ITAR TASS.

European Institutions Must Condemn Estonia for its Attitude toward Monuments to Soviet Soldiers – Bulgarian Political Scientist

SOFIA, 25 January. /ITAR TASS Correspondent Igor Lenkin/. European institutions must condemn Estonia for its attitude toward monuments to Soviet soldiers. Svetlana Mikhova, Bulgarian political scientist and editor of the international section of the newspaper 24 Hours, told an ITAR TASS correspondent.

We Should Respect Memorials to Soldiers Who Fell in the Battle with Fascism, the European Union’s Commissioner for Human Rights Believes

STRASBOURG, 25 January. /Special ITAR TASS Correspondent Yuri Ulyanovsky/. “The question of respect for the memory and burial places of soldiers who died in the struggle with fascism raises no doubts. The memory of those who fell for the liberation of Europe should be treated with respect and dignity; they gave their lives for our freedom and deserve gratitude and respect,” Thomas Hammarberg, the European Union commissioner for human rights said today. “I fully support the restrained and very weighted statement by Council General Secretary Terry Davis on this matter and share his feelings.”

Archbishop Longin: The Whole World Must Remember the Russian Soldiers’ Feat

The representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in Germany condemned Estonian authorities’ actions aimed at eliminating monuments to Soviet soldiers.

Greece’s Coalition of Left Forces Proposed that European Structures Discuss the Attempt to Desecrate Historical Monuments in Estonia

ATHENS, 25 January. / ITAR TASS Correspondent Yuri Manilov/. Greece’s Coalition of Left and Progressive Forces put before a committee of the European Parliament the attempt to desecrate historical monuments in Estonia. An ITAR TASS correspondent learned this today at the headquarters of the Greek parliamentary party, Coalition of Left and Progressive Forces of Greece.

The Church decisively condemns plans to eliminate monuments to Soviet soldier liberators, the primate of the Orthodox Church of Czech Lands and Slovakia, told ITAR TASS

PRAGUE, 23 January. /ITAR TASS correspondent Igor Shamshin/. The church condemns the Estonian authorities’ plans to dismantle a monument to Soviet soldier liberators in that country’s capital.