Poland on collision course with Russia over plans to remove Soviet statues
Poland’s plans to pass a law allowing the removal of Communist-era memorials threaten to bring it into conflict with Russia, as tension between the former Soviet power and Estonia continues over a disputed statue in Tallinn.
When Estonia tried to move a bronze statue paying tribute to Red Army soldiers who died fighting Nazi Germany, it provoked protests where one person was stabbed to death. Now Poland’s plans to allow the removal of certain Soviet memorials are creating tension with Russia too.
Around 40 young people protested Tuesday in front of the Polish embassy in Moscow, demonstrating against a proposed Polish law which would allow the removal of Soviet-era monuments. The protestors also objected to the destruction of the graves of Russian soldiers — something which is not, however, foreseen in the new law.The Polish government revealed Monday that it was considering a law which would enable local authorities to remove Communist-era memorials. However government ministers said the law had already been in development for a long time, with Culture Minister Kazimierz Ujazdowski emphasizing that the legislation was not directed at Russia.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,481797,00.html
http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=585