Learning English - Words in the News 09 May, 2007 - Published 14:55 GMT Putin criticises Estonia over war memorial | ||||||||||||
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has criticised Estonia's decision to relocate a Soviet era war memorial. The move led to a bitter diplomatic row between the two countries. This report from James Rodgers: Thousands of troops had assembled on Red Square to mark what many in Russia consider the Soviet Union's greatest achievement - the defeat of Nazi Germany. Mr Putin used his speech to condemn those whom Russia accuses of insulting that memory. He said there were those today who were trying to diminish what he called 'this invaluable experience.' He said they were desecrating monuments to war heroes. It was a clear reference to Estonia. Russia has reacted furiously to the recent relocation of a Soviet era war memorial in Tallinn. Russia sees the Red Army as liberators from fascism. Many in Estonia see them as Soviet occupiers. A bitter diplomatic row continues. Mr Putin referred to this too, saying that those who he charged with belittling the Red Army's achievements were sowing discord and distrust between states and people. James Rodgers, BBC News, Moscow to condemn accuses insulting that memory desecrating monuments to war heroes reacted furiously relocation liberators from fascism occupiers belittling sowing discord Try a comprehension quiz based on this story | LATEST STORIES 27 May, 2011 Destruction of smallpox virus delayed 25 May, 2011 Micro-finance 'misused and abused' 20 May, 2011 Lonely planets 18 May, 2011 Germany to invest in more electric cars 16 May, 2011 Argentina builds a tower of books Other Stories | |||||||||||