Russia responded coolly Friday to Britain`s promise to rush through legislation aimed at ending a row that threatens a major Russian art exhibition in London, a news agency reported.

A representative of Russian state culture agency Roskultura said Britain`s concession made late Thursday "did not change anything," Interfax news agency reported.

"We will take the decision on holding the exhibition in London only after the corresponding law takes effect and we acquaint ourselves with it and are satisfied that it guarantees the security of our artworks from third parties," Interfax quoted Roskultura as saying.

Britain`s Department for Culture, Media and Sport said measures protecting loaned artworks from legal claims -- as Russia demands -- would be rushed into law in time for the exhibition, due to open January 26 at the Royal Academy of Arts.

Moscow fears legal challenges in Britain by descendants of tsarist-era Russians who owned some of the art works until they were confiscated in the Bolshevik Revolution.

The Russian side has refused to accept Britain`s assurances so far, adding to tensions between Moscow and London, which are already at loggerheads over the murder of a Kremlin critic last year in London, and a dispute over British cultural centres in Russia.

The exhibition, "From Russia," consists of 120 paintings by French and Russian painters, including Matisse`s "The Dance" -- one of the world`s most famous works.

London says the new law protecting foreign exhibits from legal challenges would come into effect on January 7.

The "From Russia" show is currently in the German city of Dusseldorf and could remain there until January 6, Roskultura said.
sections: Culture, World News