July 22, 1997

By MAURA REYNOLDS

MOSCOW (AP) - President Boris Yeltsin rejected a bill Tuesday that would have placed tight restrictions on many religious groups in Russia, including evangelical Christians and Roman Catholics.

The bill had drawn strong opposition from the Vatican and the U.S. Senate, which threatened to cut off aid to Russia if it became law.

Yeltsin's action sends the bill back to parliament, which can overhaul it or let it lapse.

``This was a very difficult decision,'' Yeltsin said in a written statement, noting that the measure was supported by a large majority of Russian lawmakers and the powerful Russian Orthodox Church.

``But many provisions of the law infringe on constitutional rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens, establish inequality between different confessions, and violate Russia's international obligations,'' Yeltsin said.

The law would have officially recognized the central role of the Orthodox Church in Russian history and culture, and pledged ``respect'' to Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and other ``traditional'' religions.

But it would have imposed rigid curbs on other religions and cults, forcing them to register with the government and barring them from owning property or conducting public worship for 15 years after registration.

``Thank God,'' said Maria Varzaruk, a spokeswoman for the Union

of Christians of Evangelical Faith in Russia. ``Now we can freely serve God.''

In his statement, Yeltsin acknowledged the controversy over the bill, and asked parliament members to support his decision.

``We can't have a democratic society if we violate the constitution and fail to defend the interests of any minority of our citizens,'' Yeltsin said.

Russia's 1993 constitution guarantees freedom of worship.

The bill had strong support from the Russian Orthodox Church, which resents an influx into Russia of what it considers ``foreign'' religions. Those include evangelical Christians, Mormons and Roman Catholics as well as less mainstream groups such as Japan's Aum Shinri Kyo cult.

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Johnson's Russia List

#1076

23 July 1997

djohnson@cdi.org