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Russia axes London art exhibition Russia axes London art exhibition
(20 minutes later)
Russian authorities have called off a major London exhibition of French and Russian art because Britain had failed to guarantee the paintings' return.Russian authorities have called off a major London exhibition of French and Russian art because Britain had failed to guarantee the paintings' return.
Russia's culture agency told the British government its reassurances were "impossible to accept". Russia's culture agency told the British government its assurances were "impossible to accept".
From Russia: French and Russian Master Paintings had been due to open at the Royal Academy of Arts in January.From Russia: French and Russian Master Paintings had been due to open at the Royal Academy of Arts in January.
Some of the art was taken from private collections after the 1917 revolution, leading to fears of seizure.Some of the art was taken from private collections after the 1917 revolution, leading to fears of seizure.
Political problemsPolitical problems
The British government said it had assured Russia the works - which include paintings by Matisse and Van Gogh and other renowned Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works - were protected under British law.The British government said it had assured Russia the works - which include paintings by Matisse and Van Gogh and other renowned Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works - were protected under British law.
The culture secretary, James Purnell, even sent a personal letter reiterating its protection guarantees.The culture secretary, James Purnell, even sent a personal letter reiterating its protection guarantees.
"The government has done everything possible to facilitate the exhibition going ahead, including full assurances that the works would be protected from seizure," his department said."The government has done everything possible to facilitate the exhibition going ahead, including full assurances that the works would be protected from seizure," his department said.
But Russia's Federal Culture and Cinematography Agency, Roskultura, said it had not received adequate legal guarantees.
Roskultura spokeswoman Natalya Uvarova said: "We have not received a state guarantee from the United Kingdom. We have only a guarantee from the culture ministry, which is not enough for the exhibition at such a level. This is the usual practice."
elations between the two countries have been strained recently
However, some think the decision indicates political problems between the two countries following the dispute over the Alexander Litvinenko murder case.However, some think the decision indicates political problems between the two countries following the dispute over the Alexander Litvinenko murder case.
The former KGB agent was poisoned in London last year and Moscow refused to extradite the man wanted by Britain in connection with the case.The former KGB agent was poisoned in London last year and Moscow refused to extradite the man wanted by Britain in connection with the case.
It eventually led to the expulsion of diplomats on each side.It eventually led to the expulsion of diplomats on each side.
The director of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Mikhail Piontrovsky, told the BBC politics and culture should not be mixed.The director of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Mikhail Piontrovsky, told the BBC politics and culture should not be mixed.
"Remember that Russia and Britain regularly have these flashpoints which come and go. "Remember that Russia and Britain regularly have these flashpoints which come and go," he said.
"Culture should function independently and we have never suffered such a connection," he said. "Culture should function independently and we have never suffered such a connection.
"We have many projects with Britain. Political relationships change but I sincerely hope that nobody will use this for a fleeting political gesture," he added."We have many projects with Britain. Political relationships change but I sincerely hope that nobody will use this for a fleeting political gesture," he added.