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==Controversy== ==Controversy==


As the dedication included those who fought in the ] against ], it received international condemnation, especially from ] and the organizations supporting Jews (like ]<!-- Read articles listed at the bottom of the article or ask somebody to translate them for you, reference immediately after this bracket clearly mention Wiesenthal's Center reaction-->)<ref></ref>. However, it is maintained by those who support the monument (including then-mayor of Lihula who published book in which he denies the Holocaust<ref></ref>) that the ] in the German Army, including ] units, had fought for their fatherland and had not been involved in war crimes{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. As the dedication included those who fought in the ] against ], it received international condemnation, especially from ] organizations, most notably the ].<ref></ref>. Most supporters of the monument, however, have clearly distanced themselves from the ] ideology, and view Estonians' serving in German army a as having been a necessary evil instead.


== Removal of the monument == == Removal of the monument ==


In 2004, the international organizations strongly protested against this monument and demanded that it be taken down. The ], bending under pressure from the ] and the ]{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ordered the monument to be removed. In 2004, some international organizations expressed protests against this monument and demanded that it be taken down. The ], possibly due to pressure from the ] and the ]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, ordered the monument to be removed.


The ] which was to have removed the monument from Lihula could not enter the cemetery because of a crowd of protesting people. The Riot Police were called in, but as they arrived, local people started to throw stones at them and the driver of the crane. After a fight between the crowd and the police, the people were driven back, and some police were transported to a hospital because of superficial wounds.<ref></ref> The ] which was to have removed the monument from Lihula could not enter the cemetery because of a crowd of protesting people. The Riot Police were called in, but as they arrived, local people started to throw stones at them and the driver of the crane. After a fight between the crowd and the police, the people were driven back, and some police were transported to a hospital because of superficial wounds.<ref></ref>


After the removal of the monument it was subsequently restored in ] near ], on the ground belonging to the ].<ref></ref> After the removal of the monument it was subsequently placed in the ] in ] near ].<ref></ref>


==External links== ==External links==
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* *
* {{et icon}} * {{et icon}}
* {{et icon}} (in Estonian) * {{et icon}}


== References == == References ==
<references/> <references/>
* ]: "The Lesson of Lihula" (originally written in ] with the title "Lihula õppetund", 2005) * ]: "The Lesson of Lihula", 2005 (in original ]: "Lihula õppetund")


{{estonia-stub}} {{estonia-stub}}

Revision as of 19:48, 8 June 2007


Lihula is a small town in Estonia in the cemetery of which a monument depicting an Estonian soldier in a World War II German uniform, resembling Heer-uniform, was unveiled on August 20, 2004, with a dedication as follows: To Estonian men who fought in 1940-1945 against Bolshevism and for the restoration of Estonian independence.

File:Lihula monument.jpg
Lihula monument

Controversy

As the dedication included those who fought in the Wehrmacht against Bolshevism, it received international condemnation, especially from Jewish organizations, most notably the Simon Wiesenthal Center.. Most supporters of the monument, however, have clearly distanced themselves from the Nazi ideology, and view Estonians' serving in German army a as having been a necessary evil instead.

Removal of the monument

In 2004, some international organizations expressed protests against this monument and demanded that it be taken down. The Estonian Government, possibly due to pressure from the EU and the USA, ordered the monument to be removed.

The crane which was to have removed the monument from Lihula could not enter the cemetery because of a crowd of protesting people. The Riot Police were called in, but as they arrived, local people started to throw stones at them and the driver of the crane. After a fight between the crowd and the police, the people were driven back, and some police were transported to a hospital because of superficial wounds.

After the removal of the monument it was subsequently placed in the Museum of Fight for Estonia's Freedom in Lagedi near Tallinn.

External links

References

  1. Monument unveiled despite criticism
  2. Riot police help remove controversial WW2 monument
  3. Estonia Restores Monument to SS Legionnaires, Russia Angered
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