Russian parliament votes to retain Red Army Banner

Moscow, May 4 (UNI) The Federation Council, the upper house of Russian parliament today unanimously voted to retain a Red Army Banner for Victory Parades.

The house approved a law, which retains the Red Banner with the hammer and sickle -- the world famous symbol of the former Soviet Union -- like the one Soviet troops hoisted on the Reichstag following victory over Nazi Germany in May 1945.

The State Duma, the lower house, proposed red banners with white five-pointed stars for ceremonies to commemorate the victory in a bill adopted on April 6, overriding the upper house's veto.

The Duma, dominated by the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, adopted an amended bill on April 25 after President Vladimir Putin rejected the original version.

"Our fathers and grandfathers fought with the Red Banner with the hammer and sickle," Nikolai Ryzhkov, a Federation Council member, said. "It was hoisted on the Reichstag, and the symbol of Victory must be preserved." Now the bill will be sent to President Putin for his signature into law. Earlier, the Russian leader brought back the Soviet-era Red Star as the Russian military's emblem in 2002.

The parliament had earlier reinstated the Soviet anthem with new lyrics on Mr Putin's initiative.

UNI