Kremlin Refuses Japan's Request to Remove New WWII Memorial in Khabarovsk
Russia Rejects Japanese Appeal Over Khabarovsk WWII Statue
MOSCOW, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia will not consider Japan's request to dismantle a new World War Two memorial in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk.
Japan's Objection to the Memorial
Japan's foreign ministry on Saturday said it had "strongly requested" that Russia remove the new statue, which commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Japan in 1945.
Description of the Statue
The bronze statue depicts a Soviet soldier destroying a boundary post decorated with an image of a chrysanthemum.
Japanese Government's Statement
"Such a statute is not constructive in relation to Japan. In particular, the chrysanthemum crest is widely recognised as an emblem symbolising Japan. The installation of a monument depicting its destruction is unacceptable and extremely regrettable in terms of Japanese national sentiment," Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Kremlin's Response to Japan
Comments by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov
Asked about Japan's request, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday accused Japan of having a selective memory: "It is hard to say what has been forgotten and what is still remembered in Tokyo, but at the very least, we have not forgotten Japanese militarism; we have not forgotten that victory."
Official Kremlin Position
He added: "In this regard we can hardly take such demands and statements into account in any way."
(Reporting by Dmitry AntonovEditing by Andrew Osborn )
