US has too many demands to new START -- Rogizin.

MOSCOW, December 5 (Itar-Tass) -- The United States has too many
demands a new strategic offensive arms reduction treaty, Russian permanent
representative to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said.

"There is an vigorous process underway, the most interesting
discussion on a new START is in progress," Rogozin told journalists on
Friday.
"The Americans' demands are overstated. They want too much," he said.
"Naturally, we, too, want much, and that's normal. Good, intelligent
and tough talks on a new treaty are underway," the official said.

.Russia to keep warships near Somalia - Rogozin.

MOSCOW, December 5 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia will order its warships to
stay near Somaila, Russian permanent representative to NATO Dmitry Rogozin
said.
"We will keep our warships [there], and we are prepared to spend money
for that purpose," Rogozin told journalists on Friday.
In his opinion, "Aviation, for example, naval aviation, may also be
deployed near Somalia for reconnaissance purposes".

.Vatican lauds Russia's move towards diplomatic relations with Holy
See.

MOSCOW, December 5 (Itar-Tass) -- The Vatican's mission in Russia
lauded President Dmitry Medvedev's decision to establish diplomatic
relations with the Holy See at the level of embassies.
"This decision confirms a good level of relations between the Holy See
and the Russian Federation that have been developing, especially lately,
towards mutual cooperation," the apostolic nuncio's office said.
Further strengthening of the ties of mutual respect and friendship
that already exist between Russia and the Holy See can facilitate the
fulfilment of common long-term tasks of peace protection, peaceful
conflict resolution in various parts of the world, strengthening and
proliferation of such fundamental human values as recognition and
protection of human dignity, family protection, and ethnic and moral
dimensions of life of every individual and society in general, the office
said.

.Russia not to take part in NATO's Operation Active Endeavour in 2010.

MOSCOW, December 5 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia will not take part in NATO's
Operation Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean in 2010, Russian permanent
representative to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said.
"We do not think that there is a real terrorist threat in the
Mediterranean," Rogozin told journalists on Friday.
"Sending a ship on a mission costs money. If a ship is involved in an
operation, it is natural that it should be furnished with all the
necessary supplies. When it returns to its base, a lot of money will have
to be invested in its repairs. But money has to be used sparingly now," he
said.
"Warships can go only on those missions that are aimed at ensuring
security," he added.
Russia became the first non-NATO nation to contribute forces to OAE in
2005 when the Black Sea Fleet Frigate Pytlivy deployed with NATO ships in
September 2006.
Operation Active Endeavour is a naval operation of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation. It operates in the Mediterranean Sea and is designed
to prevent the movement of terrorists or weapons of mass destruction as
well as to enhance the security of shipping in general. It is one of the
first military actions taken by NATO in response to an invocation of
Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty that provides for collective
defence.
The operation began on October 4, 2001 as one of the eight NATO
responses to the September 11, 2001 attacks, although it did not acquire
its current name until October 16. The naval assets of Standing Naval
Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED), which were participating in Exercise
Destined Glory 2001 off the southern coast of Spain, were re-assigned in
order to provide an immediate NATO military presence in the Eastern
Mediterranean. The current operation is conducted by Standing NRF Maritime
Group 1 (SNMG1) and Standing NRF Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2).

.Ukraine's parliament registers draft law against Nazi, fascist
propaganda.

LVOV, December 5 (Itar-Tass) -- A draft law banning the propaganda of
Nazism and fascism in Ukraine has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada.
Co-authored by Oleg Tsarev and Dmitry Shentsev of the opposition Party
of Regions, the draft law aims to fight "collaborating organisations in
territories occupied by the Nazi", specifically the Organisation of
Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (OUN-UPA), the SS
Division Galicia, the Nahtigal and Roland battalions, the Kiev and
Bukovina Kuren, and the 29th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS RONA.
The document amends several articles in the Ukrainian Criminal Code
that deal with "the import, production or dissemination of works promoting
Nazi or fascist ideology in Ukraine" and "demonstration and wearing of
Nazi symbols".
Punishment may vary from a fine to three years in prison.
On November 27, the parliament registered a draft law titled "On the
Status of OUN-UPA Veterans" authored by Andrei Shkil of the Yulia
Timoshenko Bloc.
The document suggests granting OUN-UPA veterans the status of
combatants and benefits prescribed by the law "On the Rehabilitation of
the Victims of Political Repressions in Ukraine".
-0-zak/