Interfax - 02.09.2006

Russia condemns inciting of religious hatred – Putin

MADRID (Interfax) -- President Vladimir Putin has urged the leaders of Muslim countries to take control of the situation in the wake of the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in the Western press.

"There are more than 15 million Muslims in Russia. On behalf of Russia's Muslims and of the Russian leadership I condemn all provocations that lead to religious hatred, whatever pretext may be used to veil them," Putin told a news conference in Madrid on Thursday.

"We urge the leaders of Muslim countries to bring the situation under control, to renounce violence and to facilitate a peaceful dialogue between religions," the Russian president said.

Putin also said that he supports the Turkish and Spanish prime ministers' idea, laid down in a joint statement, supporting peace between religions and that Russia will work to implement these ideas.