Estonia to close down its consulate in Moscow

Moscow, Apr 30 (UNI) The Estonian government has decided to close down its consulate in Moscow in the face of a row between Russia and the former Soviet Baltic republic over the removal of Bronze Statue, a Soviet-era war memorial in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.

Estonia is going to close down its consulate in Moscow, ''because of the situation, which is taking shape around the embassy here,'' an Estonian diplomat told Itar-Tass news agency.

He said the ''needed security of the embassy'' was not being ensured. ''This is why we decided to suspend the work of the consulate for the time being,'' he added.

He declined to say when the work of the consulate would be resumed. ''All depends on the situation,'' the Estonina diplomat pointed out.

Estoniaian Foreign Ministry sent a note of protest to Russia over the situation around the Baltic state's embassy in Moscow, RIA Novosti news agency reported today, quoting the Ministry press service.

Youth movements have been holding rallies near the Estonian embassy in Moscow demanding that a WWII monument which the Estonian authorities have removed from Tallinn's centre on Friday be returned to the Tynismyagi square.

''The life and health of embassy employees, as well as of their family members, are in danger,'' the protest note said.

The removal of the Bronze Soldier statue from Tynismyagi square, in central Tallinn, led to clashes between police and a crowd of ethnic Russian protesters that had gathered in the square to protest the government decision.

Estonian police have detained nearly 1,000 people since April 27.

A Russian national, was killed in the clashe, and more than 150 were injured.

The Russian embassy in Estonia said a delegation of the Russian parliament arrived in Tallinn to ''get familiarized with the situation over Estonian authorities' decision to move the monument.'' Estonian authorities have said the memorial was a sign of Soviet occupation but Russians revere it as a symbol of war heroism.

Many leading retail chains in Moscow have stopped selling Estonian goods in protest.

UNI