May 3, 2007Estonian TV: We have seen some of the statements from the United States over the past few days regarding events that transpired after the Bronze Soldier was relocated. Assistant Secretary Fried: Estonia has had a rough week, but you should not feel estonian american relations, you are not alone.

The United States, the European Union, even NATO through the Secretary General has come out with expressions of support for your country. And we’re obviously troubled by what has happened. The monument is a complicated issue. Stalin’s conquest of Estonia, a conquest the United States never recognized.

But it’s an emotional issue and we understand that. Still, threats, intimidation, pressure on your embassy in Moscow, are really unacceptable and we hope that ends. I think President Ilves was right. The way forward is dialogue, outreach, including to the Russian community in Estonia, a responsible, cool heads should lead this, not hotheads. The world has enough of those. So Estonia should not feel alone. Estonia should feel supported, especially as it does the right thing.

Estonian TV: I saw yesterday the United States put out a statement supporting Estonia, so there has been really noticeable support. We did not want Estonia to feel alone. Now it’s true that the historical issues are complicated and the Russians in Estonia, the Russian community, has strong feelings. I hope the Estonian government can reach out to them because they’re your fellow citizens. They’re citizens of Estonia, most of them, and those that aren’t are residents.

But it’s the pressure on Estonia which is so troubling. I hope that Russia and Estonia will be able to work past this. Estonian TV: So that’s what’s happening in Moscow is I think the most troubling for many people this week. The Russian government really hasn’t taken any noticeable steps to protect the Estonian embassy from those riots around its compound there. Assistant Secretary Fried: It is perfectly legitimate for people to demonstrate and if people in Moscow were demonstrating, well, that’s part of democracy. But diplomatic establishments have to be protected.