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Winston
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Danmark
Mar 1999
time: 06:18
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From Berlingske Tidende today, I've tried to translate an extract of the article.
quote:
3 May 2005
Tallinn/Copenhagen/Prague:
Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Venstre) is asking Russia to issue an apology for the 50 year long occupation of the Baltic countries by the Soviet Union. The Prime Minister also expresses his complete sympathy with the decision made by Estonia and Lithuania to boycott an upcoming memorial ceremony in Moscow in remembrance of the 60th anniversary for the end of World War II.
"We know from experience that it helps the efforts of reconciliation to recognize mistakes of the past - and to apologize on behalf of the nation" Anders Fogh Rasmussen said as he commented yesterday on the controversial matter of the Baltic demand for an official Russian apology. The Prime Minister is currently on a tour of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The Prime Minister stressed that "We have seen German leaders apologize for mistakes and criminal acts commited in the past. Of course present day leaders cannot be held responsible for past decisions. But in order to create a sense of reconciliation, it can serve as a valuable means of furthering progress between countries, if leaders of today would be willing to acknowledge such mistakes made in the past."
The statements are seen by commentators as striking a very sensitive chord with Russia, who is expected to react harshly towards Denmark. It's the first time that any EU state leader has openly supported the Baltic countries' call for an apology.
The Prime Minister's appeal comes at a time when concerns about apologizing seem very far from entering the Russian political agenda. In contrast, President Putin last week in an address to the nation even expressed his regret that the Soviet Union had collapsed. The President called it the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century.
Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus was pleased by the expressed support of Denmark, but did not expect the present Russian administration to issue an apology. "It would be an achievement in itself, if the Russian government just acknowledged that those 50 years of occupation even took place. That is the expectation of the Lithuanian people" Adamkus said.
The Russian foreign ministry said yesterday it had no comments to make on the matter.
The Prime Minister's public support to the Baltic demands for an apology coincides with an expected official Danish apology tomorrow (eve of the 60th anniversary of Denmark's liberation) for the policy of cooperation with the German occupational forces, and for the return to Germany of 21 Jewish refugees during the occupation. |
I wonder what horrible physical torment President Putin will be publicly wishing for to strike our PM, for making such outrageous statements.
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Winston
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Danmark
Mar 1999
time: 06:18
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It's a gesture which may help not only the relations with other countries, but could also be aiding the understanding among one's own populace of what were the decisions and policies of the past. In many countries, certain aspects of history are played down or even denied, which can never be a helpful thing.
I see it also as a valuable process leading up to the apology itself. But of course it requires that the officials of, in this case, Russia manage to wrap their minds around the fact that there even was an occupation...
Last edited by Winston on 03-05-2005 at 11:34
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Lancer
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Oregon Coast, USA! or Bohol, Philippines!
Apr 1999
time: 05:18
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The baltic countries should send all the Rooskies they had imposed upon them by the Sovs to the Russian end of WW2 party as good will embassadors, then slam the gates shut when they're gone.
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Spiffor
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CPA - Evil Clone brigade
Nov 2001
time: 06:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Comrade Tassadar
Yes, it is still a mystery to me why you admitted these Batlic republics into the EU while they still treat a segment of their population as second hand citizens, denying them their political rights that, one would hope, should be common to all members of the EU... |
That's mostly because, when we initiated the integration process (years before the actual integration took place), we expected the Baltics to be ready on the issue.
In the last enlargement, there have been some disappointments (which is normal, considering how fricking big the undertaking was). And the Baltic's treatment of their Russian minorities is one of the EU's worst disappointments. That's why we now have changed our integration process: once the process has started, the aspiring member isn't guaranteed to join the Union anymore.
This new process can be seen with Turkey, and it should be seen with Croatia, once the initial talks are over.
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03-05-2005 10:34
XVIII century all over again 
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