Lessons not yet learned

TALLINN - On the 71st anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, Pro Patria and Res Publica Union issued a press release warning that conclusions and lessons from the agreement that had devastating effects on the entire Europe have still largely not been drawn, particularly in the democratic Western countries, reports National Broadcasting. “The fact that the 70th anniversary of MRP in 2009 was noted by nothing other than silence in the West is a matter of concern,” stated the party.

“In order to create firm guarantees against a repetition of such unethical agreements in the future, most particularly for the immediate victims of MRP - Poland, the Baltic States, Finland and Romania - we all need to carry out persistent research and awareness-raising work that the governments of the countries that suffered most because of the pact have to support - politically as well as materially,” read the statement.

PRU recalled that in April last year, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on European conscience and totalitarianism that called upon the EU Member States to designate Aug. 23 as the common commemorative day of all victims of totalitarianism and dictatorships. The government of Estonia and Riigikogu were the first to translate this call into a law in June 2009.

The Estonian coalition party estimated that thus far no decisions have been made on what form should be given to Aug. 23 in the future. “As August 23 has now achieved a pan-European dimension, we propose to start noting this day with a ceremony on the Vabaduse Square (Liberty Square) in Tallinn,” PRU stated.