MOSCOW - Russia said yesterday that US Senate pressure on President Yeltsin not to sign a controversial bill curbing the rights of minority religions is premature and counter-productive.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the bill "on freedom of conscience and religious association" would be signed into law by Mr Yeltsin only after legal experts had ruled whether it conformed with the constitution and human rights standards.
"The reaction by the American senators to the law, which has not come into force yet, causes nothing but surprise," the ministry said. The US Senate voted earlier this week to cut off aid to Russia if Mr Yeltsin signed the bill. - (Reuter)