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Pro-Kremlin groups end blockade

Pro-Kremlin youth groups on Thursday ended a blockade of the Estonian embassy in Moscow, where activists protested for days over the relocation of a statue of a Soviet soldier in the Estonian capital.

The move could ease tensions sparked by the raucous protests, which have been the most visible Russian response to Estonia's action and have drawn sharp criticism from the EU and NATO.

But Russia's bitter dispute with Estonia over the relocation of the Bronze Soldier memorial is likely to persist -- and continue to fray relations between Russia and the West -- ahead of celebrations of the anniversary of the World War II victory over Nazi Germany next week.

Russians regard the Bronze Soldier monument statue in Tallinn as a tribute to the millions of Soviet soldiers who died fighting the Nazis -- and, in Russia's view, liberating nations such as Estonia -- but for many Estonians it is a bitter reminder of five decades of often oppressive postwar Soviet rule.

The statue's removal to a military cemetery prompted cries of blasphemy from Russian officials, triggered violent protests last week from Estonia's ethnic Russian minority and prompted youth groups loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin a round-the-clock demonstration at Estonia's Embassy in Moscow.

The leader of Nashi (Ours), Vasily Yakemenko, said his group and others would end their demonstration outside the Estonian embassy because the Estonian ambassador, Marina Kaljurand, had left Russia.

"The Estonian ambassador's cowardly flight is a victory for Nashi" and the other youth groups that protested, Yakemenko told activists outside the embassy. "But it is not a complete victory."

"We will lift the blockade of the Estonian Embassy today," he said, adding that protests will continue "until the repressions against Russian-speaking population of Estonia stop."

He announced a march yesterday to European Commission delegation headquarters in Moscow.

The Estonian Foreign Ministry announced that Kaljurand would go on a two-week vacation, which it said had been postponed because of the situation in Moscow.

"There is no political or health reason for her vacation," said the ministry's secretary-general, Matti Maasikas.

The persistent protest has disrupted the embassy's operation and prompted Estonia to send spouses and children of diplomats home.

A flag was ripped off the embassy grounds and Kaljurand said stones were thrown at the building.

On Wednesday, Kaljurand was mobbed by dozens of activists from Nashi and other groups who stormed into a building where she was to give a news conference.

The conduct of the protesters has highlighted tension in Russia-EU relations, already strained by concerns over resource-rich Russia's intentions in the energy industry and over what critics say is the trampling of democracy and civil rights under Putin.

Estonian and EU officials have criticized the protests and demanded Russia ensure the safety of diplomats and the unfettered operation of the embassy.

NATO said on Thursday that it was "deeply concerned by threats to the physical safety of Estonian diplomatic staff" in Moscow, adding: "These actions are unacceptable, and must be stopped immediately."

On Wednesday, the US said Estonian authorities were within their rights to move the monument and expressed concern over "continuing reports of violence and harassment, including harassment of Estonian diplomatic personnel and premises, in Moscow."

Kaljurand told AP Television News that the protests appeared to be highly organized, rather than spontaneous expressions of anger by Russians.

"I don't want to accuse anyone, but I am sure that these actions are very well organized, financed and orchestrated," she said, noting that youngsters had set up camp outside the embassy for seven days.

Nashi has close ties to the Kremlin, and another group that protested is the youth wing of Russia's dominant pro-Kremlin party, United Russia.

Asked whether the decision to stop the blockade was a directive from Russia's political leadership, Nashi spokeswoman Anastasia Suslova described the notion "nonsense."
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