TALLINN, Sep 11, BNS - The building of the War of Independence Victory Monument on a hillside overlooking Tallinn's central Vabaduse (Freedom) Square will cost 99.3 million kroons (EUR 6.3 mln).
Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo said at the governmental news conference today that the price of the monument is within the scope he targeted.
"When we embarked on building the victory monument, I said I'd do everything within my power for the price of the victory monument not to exceed 100 million kroons. It can now be said that the project fits within the set scope," the minister said.
In accordance with previous agreements, the government appropriated today 49.3 million kroons from its contingency reserve for the construction of the victory monument. The Defense Ministry allocated 50 million kroons from its budget, thus, the final cost of the monument came to 99.3 million kroons.
Aaviksoo said the 50 million kroons spent on the project will next year be paid back into the ministry's budget and consequently it cannot be said that the money for the monument was found at the expense of defense spending.
The minister said the construction works involved unforeseen expenses in the sum of 7.7 million kroons, for instance, the ministry had to build 21 parking places for the city, plant 88 trees and reinforce the slope of Harju Hill where the monument will stand.
He voiced the hope the City of Tallinn will give the ministry permission also for the third phase of the construction. The city divided the building of the victory monument into three stages and has granted permission for the first two of them.
Aaviksoo said the Czech glass manufacturer that is making components of the monument has given assurances that the monument can be completed by the original target date of Nov. 28.
He declined to comment on the unveiling date but voiced the opinion that the monument could be opened on some notable date towards summer 2009. It will be considerably more pleasant to unveil the monument when the slopes of Harju Hill are lush with greenery than in winter when the weather usually is inclement, he said.
A significant date in early summer is June 23 when Estonia marks Victory Day.
The cornerstone of the victory monument will be laid on Sept. 20. To date, the base of the monument has been cast.
(EUR 1 = EEK 15.65)
Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8862, sise@bns.ee
