2009-06-05 10:35:05 -

MOSCOW (AP) - Russia's Defense Ministry has removed from its Web site a research paper that blames Poland for starting World War II.
The paper was written by an active duty colonel working at the ministry's history research institute. It concludes that Poland's refusal to accede to Germany's demands were what set off the war.
Poland contacted the Russian ambassador in Warsaw for an explanation on Thursday.
Military officials could not be immediately reached Friday, but a spokesman on Thursday said such articles do not necessarily reflect the ministry's official position.
The paper comes amid a Kremlin effort to defend the Soviet Union and its role in Europe's 20th century history.