Lavrov advises U.S. Congress against passing Magnitsky Act
MOSCOW. Sept 27 (Interfax) - The possible adoption of the Magnitsky Act by the U.S. Congress would entail harmful consequences for relations between Moscow and Washington, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with U.S. journalist Charlie Rose.
The Russian minister gave the interview in English.
Russia supports cooperation between the two countries' civil societies that is not equivalent to preaching and pointing to domestic affairs as something that gives the U.S. a right to pass judgment and adopt legislative acts similar to the one linked with the "Magnitsky case" currently being debated on Capitol Hill, Lavrov said.
Beyond any doubt, it will be harmful for Russian-U.S. relations, he said.
Normal states and normal governments certainly do not welcome attempts to interfere in other countries' legislative procedures, Lavrov said, adding that it concerns U.S.-Russia relations to a great extent.
Russia wants to continue its dialogue with the U.S. on human rights problems, especially because Russia has complaints about the U.S. authorities' treatment of Russians, the minister said, referring to the situation with Russian children adopted by U.S. families.
Lavrov said that he was also speaking about situations where Russian citizens were literally kidnapped after being accused of something they never did, but only for intentions provoked by FBI agents.
As an example, the Russian minister mentioned Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko and businessman Viktor Bout, who was extradited by Thailand to the U.S. despite a Thai court's rejection of the extradition request.
