|
|
 |
Washington Condemns Moscow for Actions against British Council
Washington has officially expressed its concern about the actions of Moscow against offices of the British Council in Russia, RIA Novosti Reported.
“We regret reports of an escalation of actions taken by Russian authorities against the staff and activities of the British Council in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg,” says the official statement of the U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack that was released January 16, 2008.
“The British Council operates in 110 other countries and territories worldwide and its efforts to promote cultural and educational exchanges play a vital role in increasing understanding between the peoples of the United Kingdom and Russia. We hope this matter will be resolved fairly and expeditiously and in a manner that will allow the British Council to continue its good work in Russia,” the statement says.
The clashes of Russia and Britain aggravated anew once the British Council offices in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg resumed working after the New Year break despite the Kremlin’s order to halt operations due to the absence of regulations governing the British Council activities in Russia. The Yekaterinburg office that is located in the Britain’s Consulate General opened January 9 and the office in St. Petersburg resumed activities January 14.
Moscow viewed these moves of the British Council offices as a provocation and the RF Foreign Ministry announced it would grant no visas to Britain’s Consulate General employees in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, whose activities in Russia relate to the British Council. The accreditation of current employees wouldn’t be prolonged either, the ministry specified.
www.kommersant.com
|
|
|
