30.10.2009, [12:25] // Foreign relations // risu.org.ua
MOSCOW — Interfax reported on October 29, 2009, that the Russian Foreign Ministry has described the U.S. Department of State’s 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom as politically biased.
"There is an impression that the authors decided not to bother themselves with releasing updated information. The text of the Russian section in the report coincides with its’ last year's version virtually word for word and again contains a standard set of critical remarks addressed at Russia," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Such an approach forces us once again to repeat our earlier judgments about the U.S. Department of State’s report as a politically biased document distorting facts, which deliberately misrepresents the real situation regarding freedom of faith in Russia and hushes up positive trends in this field," it said.
"Russia's state policy is aimed at ensuring freedom of religion – after all, the authors of the report acknowledge this themselves. We pursue such a policy not in order to win the U.S. Department of State's approval and get higher rankings in its annual report. Inter-faith peace and accord is Russia's priceless heritage, which we treat extremely carefully and take all the necessary efforts for its preservation," the Foreign Ministry said.
• http://www.interfax-religion.com