Ambassador snubs reburial ceremony

TALLINN - Russian Ambassador to Estonia, Nikolai Uspensky, will not attend the reburial of the Soviet soldiers at the heart of the Bronze Soldier controversy.

A spokesman for the Russian embassy confirmed Monday that a decision not to attend the ceremony on Tuesday, July 3 had already been made, but refused to confirm the exact reason for the move, adding that this would be made clear subsequently.

However, Uspensky will take part in a memorial service conducted by Metropolitan Kornily, head of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Representatives of an association of Soviet WWII veterans will also take part in the orthodox ceremony.

The official ceremony organized by the Estonian authorities is due to start at 11 am, and will be attended by Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo, along with other government representatives.

During the one hour ceremony, overseen by both Lutheran and Orthodox priests, coffins containing the remains of the fallen soldiers will be re-interred.