Cold snap freezes Estonian Independence Day celebrations

  • 2007-02-26
  • From wire reports
Estonia's Independence Day parade was cancelled due a cold snap that delivered temperatures of -17 degree Celsius to Tallinn.
It was the first time since Estonia's 16 years of independence that the parade was cancelled. Many Estonians were surprised by the official decision, given that parades have been held in previous years in equally frosty conditions.
Defence force commander Major General Ants Laaneots said he made the decision to cancel the parade in the interest of the troops, who would be unable to march in the cold conditions. He said the consulted the president and prime minister before ordering the cancellation.