08 June 2004 19:39
Monument to former KGB chief and USSR leader unveiled in Russian city
[Presenter] A monument to Yuriy Andropov has been unveiled in Petrozavodsk. The monument to the former KGB chief and
Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union was erected in front of the
building of the Karelia Federal Security Service directorate, in the street named after Andropov.
Before the Great Patriotic War [of 1941-45] Andropov was first secretary of the republic's Komsomol
organization, and led the local underground movement during the Nazi occupation.
[Sergey Katanandov, head of the Republic of Karelia] We have erected the monument not only to our compatriot but also
to the statesman. And I believe that people should support us.
The people of the USSR and Russia, in particular, link Andropov's name to a very important stage in their lives,
when law and order were restored, when efforts were made to ensure discipline at work, and measures were taken to fight
corruption. These are very topical issues now.
[Presenter] The monument is 3.5 m high. According to the authors of the monument, Andropov does not look like a party
functionary or a stern chekist. His image is even romantic to some extent. The sculptors believe that this is precisely
how the people of Karelia perceive him.
[NTV Mir] |
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