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Estonia removes Soviet memorial Estonia removes Soviet memorial
(about 2 hours later)
The Estonian authorities have removed a contentious Red Army war memorial in the capital, Tallinn, despite overnight protests that left one person dead.The Estonian authorities have removed a contentious Red Army war memorial in the capital, Tallinn, despite overnight protests that left one person dead.
More than 40 people were injured and 300 arrested during clashes at the site as police used tear gas to disperse mainly ethnic Russian demonstrators.More than 40 people were injured and 300 arrested during clashes at the site as police used tear gas to disperse mainly ethnic Russian demonstrators.
Russia says the memorial should not be removed, but many Estonians see it as a reminder of decades of Soviet rule.Russia says the memorial should not be removed, but many Estonians see it as a reminder of decades of Soviet rule.
The move provoked angry condemnation from Russian officials and lawmakers.The move provoked angry condemnation from Russian officials and lawmakers.
A foreign ministry spokesman described the decision as "blasphemous and inhumane". He said that Russia was formulating its response.A foreign ministry spokesman described the decision as "blasphemous and inhumane". He said that Russia was formulating its response.
ESTONIA-RUSSIA TIES 1918: Estonia gained independence from Russia 1940: Forcibly incorporated into Soviet Union1941-1944: Occupied by Nazi Germany1944: Soviets return as Nazis retreat1991: Gains independence as Soviet Union collapses1994: Last Russian forces leave EstoniaNow: Ethnic Russians make up quarter of Estonia's 1.3m people In pictures: Estonia clashes ESTONIA-RUSSIA TIES 1918: Estonia gained independence from Russia 1940: Forcibly incorporated into Soviet Union1941-1944: Occupied by Nazi Germany1944: Soviets return as Nazis retreat1991: Gains independence as Soviet Union collapses1994: Last Russian forces leave EstoniaNow: Ethnic Russians make up quarter of Estonia's 1.3m people href="/1/hi/world/europe/6599145.stm">History at the heart of row class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6598713.stm">In pictures: Estonia clashes
Sergei Mironov, leader of the Russian Senate, called for a vote on a non-binding resolution to cut ties with Estonia.Sergei Mironov, leader of the Russian Senate, called for a vote on a non-binding resolution to cut ties with Estonia.
The memorial, a bronze statue of a Soviet soldier, was erected in 1947. The remains of Soviet soldiers are thought to be buried nearby.The memorial, a bronze statue of a Soviet soldier, was erected in 1947. The remains of Soviet soldiers are thought to be buried nearby.
Estonian officials said it had to be moved to a cemetery because the site attracted both Russian and Estonian nationalists.Estonian officials said it had to be moved to a cemetery because the site attracted both Russian and Estonian nationalists.
'Not justified''Not justified'
By Thursday evening, around 1,000 demonstrators gathered as police sealed off the site ahead of the removal.By Thursday evening, around 1,000 demonstrators gathered as police sealed off the site ahead of the removal.
Crowds gathered to protest against the removal of the statueCrowds gathered to protest against the removal of the statue
There were reports of looting and vandalism, and police used tear gas and water cannon when a group tried to break through a cordon around the monument. Several police were among the injured, reports said.There were reports of looting and vandalism, and police used tear gas and water cannon when a group tried to break through a cordon around the monument. Several police were among the injured, reports said.
The statue was now at an undisclosed location, government spokesman Martin Jasko said.The statue was now at an undisclosed location, government spokesman Martin Jasko said.
"The aim of the government move was to prevent further similar gross violations of public order, which pose a real threat to citizens' health and property," a government statement said."The aim of the government move was to prevent further similar gross violations of public order, which pose a real threat to citizens' health and property," a government statement said.
Ethnic Russians, who make up more than a quarter of Estonia's 1.3 million population, say that the statue commemorates Red Army soldiers who died fighting Nazi Germany.Ethnic Russians, who make up more than a quarter of Estonia's 1.3 million population, say that the statue commemorates Red Army soldiers who died fighting Nazi Germany.
"The actions of the Estonian authorities are disappointing and cannot be justified", RIA Novosti news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying."The actions of the Estonian authorities are disappointing and cannot be justified", RIA Novosti news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying.
"International organisations should examine [the events in Tallinn] in all seriousness and take any necessary steps to cool the ardour of the Estonian authorities," he said."International organisations should examine [the events in Tallinn] in all seriousness and take any necessary steps to cool the ardour of the Estonian authorities," he said.
But on Thursday, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said the relocation of the memorial was a matter for Estonia alone.But on Thursday, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said the relocation of the memorial was a matter for Estonia alone.
"We don't consider it necessary to hold deep discussions with the Russian authorities over the internal affairs of Estonia," he said."We don't consider it necessary to hold deep discussions with the Russian authorities over the internal affairs of Estonia," he said.