troops as part of his efforts to ease historical tensions and fresh concerns over alleged violations of religious rights in Russia.
"The fate of this unique collection of books… reflects the tragic facts of the history of World War II and the colossal losses of practically all the peoples of Europe," Putin said at a ceremony in Hungary’s National Museum.
The rare book collection of 136 books, some dating back to the 15th century, belong to the Reformed Church’s Sarospatak Calvinist College Library in northeastern Hungary, about 250 kilometers (156 miles) from Budapest, where they are expected later this year.
Putin’s gesture to open the exhibit also marked the first time that Russia returned war trophies on this scale. Russia’s upper house of parliament in January approved their restitution after the lower house recognized the legitimacy of Hungary’s claim to the books.
"NOT EASY"
"It was not easy, a federal law needed to be accepted to make this possible. It required a number of legal and political and emotional work," Putin told reporters after talks with his Hungarian counterpart Laszlo Solyom and Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.
The return of the "Sarospatak books," including Hungarian-language Bibles, reformation texts and works by classical authors such as Pliny, was among several steps aimed at reconciliation between Russia and Hungary as well as the Czech Republic where Putin was expected later Wednesday, March 1.
Both countries, that are now members of NATO and the European Union, were for decades under the Soviet sphere of influence.
Ahead of Wednesday’s opening, Putin said he realized Russia had also a "moral" obligation not to forget Hungary’s 1956 Revolution against Soviet domination, which was crushed by Russian troops. In a year when Hungary commemorates the 50th anniversary of that freedom fight, in which thousands died, Putin also urged Hungarians to realize that Russia had changed.
SENSITIVE ISSUES
"I have spoken about 1956, we should not avoid these sensitive issues. [However] I do not think that modern Russia today would be responsible for the deeds that were criticized even by President [Boris] Yeltsin in 1992," during his trip to Hungary, Purin said.
His comments did not convince human rights activists of Amnesty International (AI) protesting outside the Hungarian parliament building. They have suggested that Putin seems to reintroduce Soviet era measures to strengthen his power base, including backing a law that allows Russian authorities to either ban "or force human rights organizations to operate illegally," AI said.
These measures are also expected to limit the activities of Christian organizations, including
mission group Russian Ministries.
It expressed concern over reports that law makers are drafting amendments to the 1997 Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations.
The law would widen the scope of the Federal Registration Service, allowing it to inspect already-registered religious organizations that are operating in Russia.
CHURCHES CONCERNED
"Many national church leaders and pastors feel this amendment is reminiscent of some of the control and restrictions of the former Soviet Union," said Sergey Rakhuba, vice-president of ministries at Russian Ministries in a statement to BosNewsLife. "These Christian leaders are praying for wisdom as they face an uncertain future," Rakhuba added.
Putin did not address these concerns when he visited a Russian Orthodox church in Budapest Wednesday, March 1, the last stop during his two-day visit to Hungary. "President Putin often visits Orthodox churches while traveling," noted Bishop Hilarion, the prelate of the Hungarian Orthodox Diocese, which is under the Patriarch of Moscow.
The Russian president was expected in Prague where he was to receive a surprise: Czech officials will return a portrait of a peasant by celebrated 19th-century Russian painter Ivan Kramskoy which was stolen during the Second World War by German soldiers from a museum in Ukraine.
