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| Estonia removes Soviet memorial | Estonia removes Soviet memorial |
| (39 minutes 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 History at the heart of row In pictures: Estonia clashes class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6233&start=0&edition=2&ttl=20070427120847">Have Your Say | |
| 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 statue | Crowds 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. |