Moscow: The Kremlin opposes a controversial
plan to decorate Moscow with portraits of Soviet dictator
Joseph Stalin for an upcoming World War II anniversary,
Russian media reported on Wednesday.
The reports, which cited sources in the Kremlin`s
organising committee for celebrations marking the 65th
anniversary over Nazi Germany on May 9, appeared to reflect a
rift within the Russian government over the plan.
Last month, Moscow`s Mayor Yury Luzhkov approved the idea
of putting Stalin posters on the streets for the May 9
celebrations, sparking criticism from top pro-Kremlin
politicians as well as human rights activists.
The Kremlin`s May 9 organising committee decided it would
not disburse funds on pictures of Stalin, according to today`s
media reports, though it was not clear whether this would have
any effect on the plan of Moscow city authorities.
"The organising committee is decisively opposed to any
such replications. Portraits of Stalin on Victory Day did not
even appear in Soviet times," a committee source told the
Kommersant daily.
The committee`s chairman Viktor Khrekov confirmed its
funds would not be spent on pictures of Stalin, but said its
decision did not apply to victory celebrations funded by local
governments.
PTI
