Russian ambassador slams gay pride parade

Aug 12, 2005

RIGA 's Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhny thanked Cardinal Janis Pujats, head of Latvia's Roman Catholics, for the latter's criticism of the recent gay and lesbian parade in Riga.

The ambassador told the press that it would be impossible to organize such a parade in Russia, as "it is anti-human."

He also criticized authorities' decision to allow the march, which took place on July 23.

"Today, the mortality rate in Latvia exceeds the number of births, and now here is an attempt to say in the framework of democratic principles that this [the gay parade] is necessary and democratic," the ambassador said. "This is not only a matter of the church, but that any normal individual should understand that cheating nature is impossible."

Kalyuzhny told journalists that during the meeting with the Latvian archbishop he "made a deep bow to His Grace who practically alone has clearly, openly and directly said what happened here."

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