European Journal - Estonia: Renewed fears over Russia - 20.08.2008

The war over the border between Russia and Georgia has revived bad memories in the Baltic States. 18 years ago, Moscow tried to prevent the independence of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia by force of arms. Now the Baltic countries feel threatened once more, fearing that Russia could move against them under the pretext of protecting Russian minorities. The situation is especially tense in Estonia. A year ago, the removal of a Soviet military monument from the centre of Tallinn provoked serious riots.