FM calls for continuing patriarch-set tone in RF-Ukraine relations

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MOSCOW, August 8 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
Grigory Karasin called for continuing the tone of relations between Moscow
and Kiev that has been set by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
"Note the trip to Ukraine by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia
and how much graciousness and love there have appeared in
Russian-Ukrainian relations. A layer of potential kindness of Ukrainian
and Russian citizens toward each other has been brought up after ten or
maybe more years of neglect. Nor could rabid nationalists spoil the
atmosphere of the patriarch's visit to Ukraine," Karasin said on Friday.
"Let us solve all problems together. We can do it. We don't need any
referees or people who could advise us or help us avoid each other," he
added.
At the same time, Karasin said, "When it comes to specific issues, we
see reluctance to accept such positive attitude and the warming of
relations."
"The leadership of Ukraine was not unprovoked to suggest that we
terminate the work of two senior Russian diplomats in the country
prematurely," Karasin said in an interview with Golos Rossii (Voice of
Russia) radio.
"We took all possible efforts to dissuade our Ukrainian colleagues and
the leadership of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry from doing that", and
Moscow had to respond in kind. "This is a generally accepted practice in
diplomatic relations between states," the diplomat said.
He expressed confidence that "the feeling of mutual attraction between
Russia and Ukraine is slowly gaining the upper hand".
"Nothing can upset that from the strategic point of view. We should
have normal good-neighbourly and productive relations that will not in any
way affect the sovereign rights of Ukraine and Russia," Karasin said.
Commenting on U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden's remarks in Georgia
and Ukraine, Karasin said they were an attempt to balance out for the
Ukrainian and Georgian leaders the progress reached in Moscow by Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama.
"In our real activities in respect of the Americans we are guided by
the words and tone set by the U.S. president. So we took all statements
made by Biden in Kiev and Tbilisi calmly even through critically," the
diplomat said. "Of course, much of what was said there was intended for
the ears of Ukrainian and Georgian politicians, but this is of interest to
us, too."
Karasin said the U.S. administration's attitude towards Ukrainian and
Georgian affairs "becomes calmer and more down to earth".

.Russia's firm position in S Ossetia conflict convinced West it was
right.

MOSCOW, August 8 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia's firm actions in August 2008
convinced the West that the Georgian leadership was responsible for
starting the armed conflict in South Ossetia, German Council on Foreign
Relations expert Alexander Rahr said.
"I think Russia's tough conduct that was strongly criticised in the
West brought it home to the Western public that it was right in that
conflict," Rahr said in an interview with Vesti television on Friday.
"We see no special consequences now: there are no sanctions against
Russia. On the contrary, everyone wants to be on the Russian market," he
said.
"The West has understood quite well, not at once, but now, that the
main blame for the conflict lies on [Georgian President Mikhail]
Saakashvili who does not help build a stable world order," the expert said.

.Russia to bid for 2018 FIFA World Cup to boost development, sports.

ST. PETERSBURG, August 8 (Itar-Tass) -- Football is more than a game,
it is a social phenomenon, and football should have elements of social
responsibility and promote healthy lifestyle and facilitate the
development of regions, Sports and Tourism Minister Vitaly Mutko said.
He believes that preparations for such an event will facilitate the
development of the country itself and its regions. The bid for hosting the
2018 World Cup finals envisions games at 10 stadiums.
Owing to the construction of sport facilities for the Winter Olympic
Games 2014 in Sochi and the Universiade in Kazan, as well as in St.
Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and other cities, Russia will only have to build
four more stadiums for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

.Motor fuel prices in Russia may decrease if gas is used as fuel.

MOSCOW, August 8 (Itar-Tass) -- The price of motor fuel in Russia may
decrease by one-third if a special law requiring more active use of
natural gas as fuel for automobiles is adopted, a high-ranking official
said.
"I think gasoline prices are unfair," the president of the Union of
Oil and Gas Industrialists, Gennady Shmal, said, adding that taxes make up
59-60 percent of the price.
According to the official, the price of AI-95 gasoline is about 23
roubles per litre and is "quite costly" for Russian families. In order to
change the situation, "we need a clear-cut position of the government on
more active use of natural gas as motor fuel because natural gas costs
less than gasoline," he said.
-0-zak/