Estonians Forced to Work at Chernobyl, Emigres Say
Several hundred Estonians earlier this month staged protest marches in the Soviet Union against the forcible use of military reservists for decontamination work around the stricken Chernobyl nuclear plant, emigres said here Wednesday.
Ants Kippar, director of the Aid Center for Political Prisoners in Estonia, said authorities made several arrests after the demonstrations in Tallinn, the capital of Soviet Estonia.
He said about 1,000 Estonians, mainly technicians, truck drivers and other specialists, were drafted to help clear up the disaster site in the Ukraine.
“People are very worried. They know they run risks and that there is not enough protective gear,” Kippar added.
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