Estonia's commission on wartime burials recommended March 13 removing the World War II Bronze Soldier statue, which is part of a Soviet-era memorial, from central Tallinn to a "quieter" military cemetery, in accordance with a new law passed in January.
"Open discussion of the issue showed that [Andrus] Ansip's idea to dismantle the Bronze Soldier has not found unanimous support among the public. Besides, new members have entered government, who ... do not want the start of their political career linked with the dismantling of the monument," Andrei Zarenkov, who is also the chairman of Estonia's Constitutional Party, said.
A government security commission Tuesday discussed behind closed doors issues related to the removal of the monument and reburial of Soviet warriors' remains, but information was not made public.
"Ansip promised to dismantle the monument and has no way back now. That's why, without public support for his idea, he is prepared for a forceful resolution in secret from the public," the secretary said.
The six-foot Bronze Soldier and other Soviet memorials have recently become rallying points for ethnic Russians, and following clashes with Estonian nationalists near the statues prompted the authorities to press for monuments "dividing society" to be removed.
Russia has accused Estonia of encouraging Nazism and discrimination against ethnic Russians, and even prompted debate on possible energy sanctions against Estonia. Moscow has also called for international organizations to step in.
Some 50,000 Soviet troops perished in Estonia in 1944 fighting against Nazi Germany. The Soviets regained control of the republic, which many Estonians call occupation. The bodies of the soldiers killed in action are buried at 450 cemeteries and memorials across the Baltic country.