TALLINN. Aug 2 (Interfax) - The Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots in Estonia (KSRS) has voiced its opposition to attempts to rehabilitate former Schutzstaffel (SS) officers.
"The Council resolutely protests the authorities' continued attempts to rehabilitate former SS officers by calling them 'fighters for Estonia's freedom,' contrary to the decisions of the Nuremberg trials, other international documents, as well as a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly," the KSRS said in a statement obtained by Interfax on Monday.
"It is particularly woeful that events such as the meeting of the veterans of the 20th SS division in Sinimea are supported and attended by statesmen and leaders of various levels," it said.
"Also worthy of condemnation is that skinheads and nationalists from the adjacent states conduct an active propaganda at this event," the statement said.
On Saturday, veterans from the 20th Estonian Division of the SS and their young supporters held a meeting in Sinimae, close to the Russian-Estonian border. Representatives from the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica Party, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of Defense Minister Mart Laar, vowed to fight for the formal recognition of former SS officers as freedom fighters and for additional retirement, social, health care and other benefits for them.