Russian President Vladimir Putin attends military parade devoted to the 61st anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945. The event took place on Red Square in Moscow.
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Vladimir Putin Draw Victory Banner Down
// to the State Duma to be revised
Russian President Vladimir Putin declined on Friday the law “About the Victory Banner” according to which the sickle and hammer were to disappear from the banner. Putin made that decision after meeting with the leaders of veteran organizations, the majority of whom spoke against the law. Thus, the long-term scandal between the United Russia (for the law) and the Fair Russia (against it) ended with the latter’s victory. However, United Russia leader and State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov announced on Friday that the law was declined according to his initiative.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the leaders of veteran organizations in the Kremlin on Friday to discuss the implementation of his decree on preparation to celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov attended the meeting as well. After the meeting was over, he claimed that it was he who suggested that the president should send the notorious law “About the Victory Banner” to the State Duma to be revised.
The scandal was triggered by the law allowing to use the Victory Banner’s symbol during victory celebrations in May, instead of a copy of the real banner placed above Reichstag on May 1, 1945. The symbol differs significantly from the banner. The symbol is a red rectangle with a white five-pointed star on both sides, but it does not have the sickle and hammer on it.
Veterans demanded to use the copy, and not the symbol, of the Victory Banner during this anniversary. Thus, the president had the last say in the argument, and he sent the law back to the State Duma for revision.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Apr. 21, 2007
|
|
|
