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Estonia memorial move 'blasphemy' Estonia memorial move 'blasphemy'
(10 minutes later)
Russia has condemned the removal by Estonian authorities of a contentious Red Army war memorial as blasphemous and inhuman.Russia has condemned the removal by Estonian authorities of a contentious Red Army war memorial as blasphemous and inhuman.
Estonia was mocking the dead, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.Estonia was mocking the dead, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
One person was killed and more than 40 injured in street unrest as the statue was removed from the capital, Tallinn. Police used tear gas and water cannon.One person was killed and more than 40 injured in street unrest as the statue was removed from the capital, Tallinn. Police used tear gas and water cannon.
Russia said the memorial should not have been moved, but many Estonians saw it as a reminder of Soviet rule.Russia said the memorial should not have been moved, but many Estonians saw it as a reminder of Soviet rule.
More than 300 of the mostly ethnic Russian demonstrators who were protesting against the statue's removal were arrested during the overnight clashes.More than 300 of the mostly ethnic Russian demonstrators who were protesting against the statue's removal were arrested during the overnight clashes.
Secret locationSecret location
The removal provoked angry condemnation from Russian officials and lawmakers.The removal provoked angry condemnation from Russian officials and lawmakers.
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 Have Your SayESTONIA-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 Have Your Say
Mr Lavrov said Russia would "take serious steps" following the removal and Russia's Senate called for diplomatic relations with Estonia to be cut.Mr Lavrov said Russia would "take serious steps" following the removal and Russia's Senate called for diplomatic relations with Estonia to be cut.
Estonia's government would not reveal where it took the six-foot (1.83m) statue, but spokesman Martin Jasko said it would ultimately be placed at the military cemetery in Tallinn.Estonia's government would not reveal where it took the six-foot (1.83m) statue, but spokesman Martin Jasko said it would ultimately be placed at the military cemetery in Tallinn.
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.
The memorial has inspired violence between communitiesThe memorial has inspired violence between communities
There were reports of looting and vandalism, and police used tear gas and a 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 a water cannon when a group tried to break through a cordon around the monument. Several police were among the injured, reports 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," an Estonian 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," an Estonian 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.
"International organisations should examine [the events in Tallinn] in all seriousness and take any necessary steps to cool the ardour of the Estonian authorities," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying. HAVE YOUR SAY The statue was a symbol of occupation in Estonia and should have been removed in 1991 Kaarel, Tallinn class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6233&start=0&edition=2&ttl=20070427120847">Send us your comments "International organisations should examine [the events in Tallinn] in all seriousness and take any necessary steps to cool the ardour of the Estonian authorities," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying.
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.