Russia sees ends to U.S. row as Jewish texts moved to museum

[dipsydoodle]

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that a years-long spat with the United States over thousands of Jewish religious writings should end now that some are on display in Moscow's new Jewish museum.

Russia has resisted calls to return the so-called Schneerson collection to the New York-based Hasidic Chabad-Lubavitch group, descendants of the last private owner of the writings, and Putin said they were part of Russia's cultural heritage.

"For the Jewish people, Russia has been a homeland for centuries, as it remains so today," Putin said while visiting the museum to launch its latest exhibition.

"I hope that moving the Schneerson library to the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center...will put an end to this problem once and for all," said the former KGB spy, who has sought to celebrate Russia as country of many religions while fostering close ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/14/us-russia-usa-jewish-collection-idUSBRE95C12O20130614

[COLGATE4]

1. "For the Jewish people, Russia has been a homeland for centuries, as it remains so today,"

except for those unfortunate 'incidents' known as Pogroms.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. Among other things.

[geek tragedy]

2. Yeah, Russia has been such a good home to Jews over the centuries. nt