New look

We've made some changes
to The Sunday Times

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

From Times Online

May 2, 2007

Estonia cries foul at Russian 'interference'

Members of pro-Kremlin youth movement Nashi outside the press conference where Estonian ambassador was attacked (Mikhail Metzel/AP)

Jenny Booth and agencies

The Estonian Prime Minister today accused Russia of interfering in its affairs of state as the row escalated over the tiny Baltic state's removal of a statue to Soviet war dead.

Estonia says that the Moscow authorities stood by and failed to intervene when a gang of protesting Russian youths attacked the Estonian ambassador to Moscow at a press conference today

Marina Kaljurand's bodyguards were forced to fire tear gas to beat back the group of 30 youths, members of the Kremlin-backed Nashi (Ours) youth group, who had forced their way into the conference, shouting that Estonia was a fascist state.

Ms Kaljurand had called the news conference to demand that Russia do more to protect staff at the Estonian Embassy. She was unhurt in the incident.

Afterwards, she declared that the embassy building would be closed until the security situation around it had "normalised". Most of the staff and their families have been evacuated.

The Estonian embassy in Moscow has been under virtual siege by Russian nationalist protesters for six days, ever since the Estonian government ordered that a statue known as the Bronze Soldier, a memorial to Red Army war dead, should be taken down from the square in the centre of Tallinn where it had stood for nearly 60 years, and relocated to a military cemetery on the outskirts of the capital.

Estonians dislike the monument, seeing it as a grim reminder of 50 years of Soviet occupation of their country. Russians, including Estonia's large Russian ethnic minority, revere it as a symbol of the liberation of northern Europe from the Nazis.

The clash of views had made the statue the focus of inter-ethnic tensions, leading to protests and scuffles.

But the situation has escalated dramatically since the statue was moved last week, prompting outrage amongst Russians. The Russian foreign ministry denounced the move as "blasphemous", and the Parliament recommended that the Russian ambassador should be recalled from Tallinn.

Estonia has accused the Kremlin not only of deliberately failing to protect Estonia's embassy or its consulate personnel since the crisis developed, but of tacitly encouraging the attacks by groups like Nashi.

Cyber attacks on Estonian government websites had been launched from Kremlin web addresses, it claims.

"It is customary in Europe that differences... are solved by diplomats and politicians, not on the streets or by computer attacks," Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the Estonian president, said today. He described the embassy protests as "psycho-terror".

Andrus Ansip, the Estonian Prime Minister, said that the incidents were no longer pranks by isolated protesters but amounted to coordinated "interference by Russia in the affairs of the Estonian state".

Moscow insisted that it was meeting its obligations.

"As for the situation around the embassy, that has been provoked by those steps undertaken by the Estonian leadership in connection with the relocation of the monument and the remains of Soviet soldiers.

“Passions have been brought to the boil and we believe the blame for that rests entirely with the Estonian side,” said Mikhail Kamynin, chief spokesman for the Russian foreign ministry.

The impression of a covert Russian attack on Estonian interests deepened this afternoon when the Russian state railway monopoly said that it was going to carry out maintenance work on its track which would disrupt exports of Russian refined oil products to Estonia.

“We haven’t imposed any economic sanctions against Estonia and have no plans to do so. But from May 1, we plan repair works. We therefore plan to change the delivery schedule,” said a spokeswoman for the Russian state railways.

Today Russian police did not intervene as other youths attacked the Estonian ambassador's car outside the press conference.

The protesters also blocked the arrival of a Swedish embassy vehicle, prompting Sweden to lodge a "strong verbal protest" with the Russian embassy in Stockholm and summon the Russian ambassador to account for the incident.

"The ambassador's car was stopped and attacked by a mob as he was leaving the Estonian embassy. They kicked the car and tore off the Swedish flag. The ambassador was not injured but the atmosphere was very aggressive," said a Swedish foreign ministry spokesman.

The European Commission has urged Moscow to end the blockade of the Estonian embassy and to respect its international obligations.

Hey, Pavel!
You seem to be a reasonable guy. So, just for information: the number of people without any citizenship who live Estonia is much less than 20% by now. Most russian-speaking people have either Estonian or Russian citizenship by now. If they want to take Russian citizenship then it is their business. But Estonian government actively support people to learn Estonian and this way get the Estonian citizenship. For instance all the costs of learning the language are covered by the state - one only has to show a good will and put in a little bit of effort.

Why are we Estonians so keen about the language - well we are a very little nation and if we don't take care about our language then we will be soon extinct. Hence we so appreciate everybody who shows a little respect and learns a little bit of our language. Not to mention that it is good for the whole society if all its members are able to communicate to each other. Its that simple - good will and respect towards each other!

Indrek, London, UK

@ Peter, London, UK

Do you realise that more people died under the communist regime than under the Nazi regime? (and just to make sure, by this I am in NO WAY saying Nazism wasn't wrong )
Do you know that during almost 50 yrs of ILLEGAL and VIOLENT SOVIET OCCUPATION Estonians were systematically repressed, discriminated against and deported to Siberian work-camps? Were you aware that there was an ungoing campaign of Russionization, which had the main purpose of erasing all other nations except Russian? Just because the UK never had to suffer under the Soviet regime doesn't mean it was any less evil and cruel than Nazism. In practice COMMUNISM WAS JUST AS BAD AS NAZISM.

Anu, Tallinn, Estonia

Very very poor little Estonia! But tell me please why did ESStonia arise monuments to collaboratos who served in the Nazist SS troops which were the most famous by his cruelty in Polish and Soviet lands and killed judaish peoples? And now Estonia wants that all European Union defend her and her nazism, despite all Europe fought against nazism during WWII!

Andrey, Murmansk, Russia

thanks to everyone who understand or at least try to understand Estonia...

maris, Tallinn/ Leysin, Estonia/Switzerland

Some say about this incident with the monument in Estonia that Russia is in Stalinist state of mind. This opinion seems to be very prejudiced and provocative. One can just as easily claim that Estonia is in Nazi state of mind. The people need to know that not so long ago Estonia erected a monument for their collaborators with Nazis and now they got rid of a monument for WWII heroes. I can not imagine any other country in the world to do that! Here in the UK and in the rest of Europe we give honour and respect to heroes of the war with Nazism. Any Nazi symbolic in public is still a strict taboo and so it should be. In my opinion the action of installing a monument to a Nazi soldier and removing the WWII monument by Estonia should be provocative to the whole world, not just to Russia.

Peter, London, UK

Kaka, are You living in Estonia? You do not know how the Russians are living here and do You know anything about Estonians and their life during the Russian occupation?Most of the Russians here do not speak fluent Estonian and they are allowed to speak Russian anywhere they like. Besides, the monument wasn`t destroyed and the Russians have the oppurtunity to visit it any time they like, it was only transposed. The monument wouldn`t have been moved if the Russians wouldn`t have started vandalism in the city. Most of the people rebelling were young people who do not know what they are fighting for. They were being provoked. The decision of transposing the monument to the war cemetery was made in a emergency meeting during the Russians behaving disgracefully in the city.

mari trumm, elva,

Even though I am Russian, I understand Estonians and their whished to live how they like. Really. I agree that what USSR did in 1941 was an accupation. And even I can agree that the current reaction of Moscow does not seem adquate. But, Gentlemen, do you know that 20% of Estonian population are stateless persons. These are Russian nationals who lived in Estonia at the moment Estonia became independent. Estonia refused to give citizenships to them. These people cannot live normal live, it is dificult for them to build career, etc. And these are people who protested against the monument removal in Tallinn, not Russian citizens. To speak the truth I appreciate Estonian whishes to live on their own, but what mentioned 20% should do? These people are called accupants, and the Govenment policy is not to integrate them into normal life rather to take them away. Why does not Estonia give them citizenship? Why is the EU silent? This is where the problem is. The monument is just the last straw

pavel, Moscow, Russia

Thank you ANDRUS and other country Very big thank for subordin the Estonia and others countrys hwo 50 years sit in the cerdains.

I was born in ENSV - EESTI N6UKOGUDE SOTSIALISTLIK VABARIIK. 1939-1991.

ESTONIA 1918-1939 RUSSIAN 1939-1991 AND 1991-........................

VALDUR, TARTU, Estonia

sorry but any claim that it is forbidden to speak Russian in Estonia is just A LIE. you are free to speak Chinese if you so wish.

A friend of mine, a Russian, was just visiting Tallinn a couple of days ago and was surprised that everybody was speaking russian to her. If you check Estonian websites, the ones that are not under cyber attack by russians yet, you can see that most of them are in Russian as well. I have Russian colleagues and clients. You can manage with only Russian in most shops, businesses, and state and local government offices. I guess that is also the reason why most local Russians haven't bothered to learn a single word in Estonian, even if they claim that this country is their home.

Kati, Tallinn,

Do U think that 50% of population which were against of removing of the statue also interfere? Or in the streets of Tallin were Russian citizens?
U say that for many Estonians the statue of a soviet soldier is a reminder of the annexation? Nobody says that not only ethnic estonians live in that country, only 65%. Who asked other 35%?
What about their human rights? May be human rights can have only estonians?
In Finland there are 2 state languages finnish & Swedish (5% of population). In Estonia for 30% of population Mothertongue is Russian. U know, it is FORBIDDEN for them to speak their language in official bodies, transport, shops.
U call it democracy? Funny.
Better to blame Russia then to solve own problems.

Kaka Malaka, Russia,

The hysteria shown by the Russians in this case is astonishing. The truculence, lack of any desire to understand the Estonians' point of view and the utter lack of a proportionate response to the relocation of the monument shows the Russian President and government in a very bad light: they are both dominated by an aggressive, domineering and revengeful spirit. It is particularly sad to see Alexei II, the Russian Patriarch, falling in line with this spirit, but the Russian Church is in total thrall to the State anyway, so one should perhaps not be shocked. The fundamental problem is that there has never been a reckoning with Russia's Stalinist past: no Nuremburg-style trial of the organisers and operators of Russia's countless Auschwitzs and Belsens, no apology to the world for the monstrous and devilish ideology foisted onto it by the Soviet criminals, no cleaning of the nation's soul. Until Russians can face this task, expect more of the same.

Benedict, Moscow, Russia

Has the media been clear about the fact that it is youngsters who are causing all this havoc – both in Estonia and Moscow? At their age they would know nothing about WW2. They call Estonians fascist but act themselves as Putin's Youth - a very apt parallel drawn by somebody before me! They cannot surely uderstand what they are doing. What is it exactly they are protesting against? The Estonian Embassy in Moscow has asked the question, but is yet to have an answer from the Russian authorities.

Eele, Bristol, UK

Hey, Polish! Russia is an independent state as well. Then, why do you always interfere into Russian affairs critizing how we should develop? Why do the US and EY always interfer into our affairs?

pavel, Moscow, Russia

Guys, I have a question. Did you hear that Estonia police arrested over 1000 people who defended the monument? I saw how they did it with my own eyes. Please explaine why Western press so critisized Russian police when they broke up a rally in Moscow, and now silent when the Esotoina police did the same and even more (Russian police did not arrested over 1000 people!!!). You know I myself thougth that the Russian police was unadequate in Moscow; however, now I see that the Russian police was adequate - comparing with the Esonia police!!! Until you behave like that, please do not surprise why Russia does the same. You are a good teacher for us

pavel, Moscow, Russia

to Bartek, Warszawa, Poland
I also can hardly understand minor reaction from european comunity side. Everybody cries about consequences and silent about the reasons of what happened.
U don't believe Russia, U don't believe 30% of Estonian population? Hmm read Amnesty International press release:
Estonia: Every third person a potential victim of discrimination

AI Index: EUR 51/005/2006 (Public)
News Service No: 314
7 December 2006
Embargo Date: 7 December 2006 09:00 GMT
link:
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR510052006

Kaka Malaka, Russia,

The Russians have always suffered from the lack of proper PR. Even under communism their propaganda was rather clumsy and unconvincing, which, on the other hand, seems to have allowed people to think on their own. They could have greatly benefited from learning these technologies from the West, had they not been so stubborn and straightforward. The way it’s going now, Estonia at some point might even question the very fact that WW2 ever happened and still get away with it. Russia’s outrage, of course, would be labeled as ‘meddling in another country’s affairs’ as Estonia proceeds to erect monuments to its SS Waffen veterans. So, what will be next? Revising our current views on National Socialism just to taunt the Russians? Very childish and short-sighted.

Dan Nelson, San Paulo, Brazil

Eesti has every right to remove the statue of the unknown Rapist, for that is what the statue represents to the EEsti people, the Russians invaded and annexed an independent Estonia, attempted cultural and linguistic genocide and are surprised that the people of estonia have no great love for them.

Stuff the Russians. Estonia has the right to manage its own affairs in any way it wishes.

Michael, Sydney , Australia

Where are all the Democrats in the US and the socialists in Europe when this is happening?. The Russians are a bunch of lawless thugs who are picking on weak countries that they previously occupied and would love to "liberate" again. The politicians on the left all over Europe are not going to complain about their behaviour. However if the Americans tried this sort of thing the lefties in Europe and elsewhere would be holding protest marches.

Tony, Calabasas, California

We are with you, Estonia!

Eso, Prague, Czech republic

What's next? Burn some Estonian books, smash a few windows? It's so 1930s, along with the "Rent A Thugs" of The Putin Jugend. It's about time they grew up. They obviously think that we're all stupid and that we would never consider this behaviour to be staged.

E J Murray, Kerry, Ireland

I can hardly understand minor reaction from european comunity side. Beside enigmatic declaration UE done nothink to stop constan sidge of Estonian embassy and condem agression. Whatever Russian will say, Red Army brought another occupation for the East Europe countries. And all the soviet monuments are the simbol of time, we prefer to forget. I can not imagine silent reaction of rest of EU contries.

Bartek, Warszawa, Poland

EU ambassador is attacked by protesters supported (and organized) by Kremlin and EU does nothing. Now Russia is imposing econoic sanctions on a small EU nation. How about EU defending all itÂ´s members, not just the big ones?

Antti Kokko, Helsinki, Finland

Symbolism becomes reality in the Human mind...

We have a similar problem here in the US where several states of the old Confederacy (American Civil War) retain the Confederate battle flag in their current state flags. Some see that as symbolic of slavery, racial discrimination, and segregation. Others see it as symbolic of a vanished way of life ("Gone With the Wind", as it were) and regional pride. The problem is that both are right.

The immediate problem in the Baltic might be resolved, however, by shipping the statue back to Moscow, perhaps erecting it in front of the Estonian Embassy?

Ben Hoff, NJ, USA

Lithuania is always with you, Estonia!

Arunas, Vilnius, Lithuania

Yeah, we in Poland also try to get rid of most of monuments and memorials of Russian occupation. Problem is that sometimes we leave them only because we think somehow they helped us to win that war and regain our former lands (heh we sold them 500 years ago:)) Unfortunately ther took over our eastern part but don't argue with that.

Anyway Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine are independent countries. What Russia does looks more like interferrence in other countries policy and liberty. Those times have ended. Lets kick some imperial a***s!!! Bravo Estonia!

wns, London, United Kingdom

The worst thing is that EU and NATO do not understand how important is this - there must be a very strong reaction from the West, not a claims "how is this sad".
It is a planned and tendentious aggression against Baltic countries and also - testing of EU/NATO i.e. how unified West countries could be in the presence of Russian oil and gas.

As long old EU countries and USA ignores the facts of Putin's imperialistic Russia - as more this leads to the huge problems and times similar to Cold war.

Mindaugas, Vilnius, Lithuania

Nothing is going to happen! Russia will demonstrate its powers - and EU and NATO are not going to do anything other than lodging verbal protest. The western countries have let Russia grow in power and have supported Putin for a long time now. This is the result! Russia is now trying to find out how long they can go political, they are testing the limits and I am afraid that after this intermezzo they will turn out to be the winners. This affair is not about the statue, It is about Russia showing and testing it's strength. Beware this is only the beginning!

Kalle, Stockholm, Sweden

A week ago Estonian premier Mr. Ansip said that by rumors the Monument was erected at the site of burial of two drunken Russian soldiers – victims of road accident in 1945. Russians in Estonia took it as a deliberate insult (which it was), it aggravated already tense situation. The roots of the crisis lie much deeper. After Estonia became independent the majority of Russians were deprived of citizenship and their political rights. The demolition of the Monument was only a last straw.

Alex, Riga,

Russia has shown its true colors under Putin's rule. The only reason he is not returning for a third term is due to the fact that he can be a more "effective" dictator from the shadows.

The Cold War is not over. It was only dormant for a while. The US, the UK and the nations of Eastern Europe need to step up spending on defense, as the short-sighted French, Italians and Germans are too caught up in their internal squabbles to read the handwriting on the wall.

And any country that depends on the Russians for energy does so at its own peril. We have already seen that Russia is willing to blackmail countries whose policies it doesn't like. It is only a matter of time before they stop backing down in favor of diplomacy.

Chickie, New York, NY,

barbarians. Hey russians what do you want from independent country? Estonia has own laws !

krizem, Warsaw, Poland

To many Estonians the statue of a soviet soldier is a reminder of the annexation of Estonia in 1939 in accordance with a Soviet - German pact (Ribbentrop-Molotov).
Also, The monument is not dismantled, only moved to a cementery!

Tomas, Seattle, USA

In my opinion, Russia shows its real ambitions now and all these discussions above the monument are just a pretext. Estonia is the first in line, followed maybe by Latvia and then Poland and do not forget Georgia. It seems to me very threatening, as being the witness of Russian occupation in Estonia. Russia is ruled by former KGB officials who follow the same handwriting used by KGB organisation ( absurd accusations, attacks against computers from IP addresses leading to governmental organisations in Kremlin etc.). The most ridiculous statement today is that it is Estonia's own fault when its embassy is attacked. Typical way of thinking by Russian authorities - everything is allowed to justify its behaviour. I am really worried about that and I hope that EU and NATO stands for us against Russia's terroristic attacks.

Edda, Tallinn, Estonia