EU protests over Russian attacks on ambassadors

Source: The Guardian

6.45pm
EU protests over Russian attacks on ambassadors

· Dispute over Estonian monuments widens
· Summit threatened following assaults

Ian Traynor, Europe editor
Wednesday May 2, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

The confrontation between Russia and Estonia over second world war
graves and monuments spread to the international stage today with
protests to the Kremlin by the European Union, attacks on European
diplomats in Moscow and calls for the cancellation of an upcoming
EU-Russia summit.

Germany, which is chairing the EU, delivered a diplomatic protest
to the Russian government after the Estonian and Swedish
ambassadors in Moscow were assaulted by youth activists loyal to
President Vladimir Putin. In Brussels, the European commission
voiced "deep concern regarding the increasing violence around the
Estonian embassy in Moscow" and demanded that the Russian
authorities honour their obligations to protect foreign diplomats.

The president of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, sent a terse message
to Russia: "Try to remain civilised."

The Russian foreign ministry blamed Estonia for the stand-off at the
embassy, which has been blockaded since last week by young activists
belonging to the Nashi (Ours) movement, a youth organisation that
professes Russian patriotism and loyalty to the Putin administration.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/russia/article/0,,2070898,00.html

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Source: BBC

Last Updated: Wednesday, 2 May 2007, 12:49 GMT 13:49 UK

Estonia shuts consulate in Moscow

Estonia has closed its consulate in Moscow after pro-Kremlin youth
groups attacked diplomats in protest at the relocation of a Soviet
war memorial.

Estonia's foreign ministry said there was an attempt to physically
assault their ambassador at a news conference.

It said the incident amounted to a violation of diplomatic conventions.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6615193.stm