'British envoy says Russia ties not in crisis'

Moscow, July 22: Britain's ambassador to Russia said London's relations with Moscow were not in crisis despite diplomatic tensions over Russia's refusal to extradite a suspect charged with killing emigre Alexander Litvinenko.

''Talking of British-Russian relations, I would not use the word 'crisis,'" Tony Brenton said in an interview with Russian news agency Interfax and Kommersant daily, published in Russian.

''We are being linked by rapidly developing economic ties, the relationship between our peoples has become ever closer, and the number of issues on which we cooperate is growing,'' he said, mentioning joint work on the issue of Iran's nuclear programme, Kosovo and the West Asia.

''The Litvinenko case is an issue where our views differ.'' Russia's ties with Britain have fallen to a post-Cold War low since Moscow's repeated refusal to extradite ex-KGB agent Andrei Lugovoy, accused by Britain of killing outspoken Kremlin critic Litvinenko in London.

Last week the two countries engaged in tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats.

Russia says its constitution does not allow it to extradite its citizens to other countries, and London's suggestions Moscow could amend the fundamental law drew official ire in Russia.

Brenton said Britain was not requesting Russia to amend its constitution, but was rather ''proposing to find a possibility to jointly bypass this obstacle, given the seriousness and unprecedented manner of this murder''.

''This crime was committed against a British citizen and took place in London, this is why London is a proper place for a trial,'' he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday Moscow hoped to restore normal relations with Britain.

REUTERS>