A Russian policeman keeps watch near the
fence of the Estonian embassy covered by posters.
After a week-long protest outside the Estonian Embassy in
Moscow, the row between Russia and Estonia sparked by the removal
of a World War II Soviet soldier's statue in central Tallinn shows
no sign of abating.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asked the European Union
to carry out "an urgent and objective investigation on all cases on
human rights violation during the recent events in Estonia,"
referring to conflicts with demonstrators, the Itar-Tass reported
on Thursday.
"Moscow was seriously concerned about the facts of cruel
violence against demonstrators that object to the (Estonian
leadership) decisions and over the death of a Russian citizen,"
Itar-Tass quoted Lavrov as saying during a phone conversation with
his Germany counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Germany holds the rotating presidency of the European Union,
which has urged Russia to ensure the security of the Estonian
diplomatic mission and the safety of its personnel amid the strong
protests in Moscow.
A Russian national was killed and 153 people, including 29
policemen, were injured during the two nights of rioting in Tallinn
last week after a bronze statue was moved from a square in central
Tallinn to a military cemetery. Some 800 people were detained
during the clashes.
The relocation of the statue, the "Liberator Soldier", and
remains buried near the sculpture of Red Army soldiers who were
killed in WWII, also triggered fierce protests in Moscow.
Some Russian parliamentarians have threatened to cut off
diplomatic relations with Estonia. Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov
vowed to block sale of Estonian products at a May Day rally.
About 40 pro-Kremlin youths stormed the office of a newspaper in
Moscow on Wednesday to break up a news conference called there by
Estonian Ambassador Marina Kaljurand, whose bodyguard used pepper
spray to defend her, the Moscow Times reported.
The Estonian Consulate in Moscow has stopped service and
evacuated the families of diplomats, Itar-Tass said.
Estonian President Toomas Hendrik issued a statement on
Wednesday to call Russia to "try to remain civilized."
Russia said the protest is a "natural reaction" to the recent
events in Tallinn, but pledged to ensure the security of the
Estonian Embassy in Moscow.
"Law enforcement agencies have already taken corresponding
measures that will be additionally reinforced if necessary,"
Itar-Tass quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying.
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(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2007)
