UK, Russia row over spy's murder escalates


London/Moscow, July 12 A diplomatic row between Britain and Russia over the murder of a KGB defector Alexander Litvinenko today showed signs of escalating with two sides promising retaliations reminiscent of the Cold War antagonism.
British Foreign Office and Downing Street are preparing to send a strong signal to the Kremlin following its refusal to hand over a key murder suspect Andrei Lugovoi, a former KGB agent suspected of murdering Litvinenko, a former Russian spy and known Kremlin critic, last November.

The options include the possible expulsion of Russian diplomats from the London embassy, and the withdrawal of cooperation in several areas, including education, trade, social affairs and counter-terrorism, British media reported.

Russian prosecutors on Monday formally announced that Lugovoi would not be extradited to the UK on the grounds that Russia's Constitution does not allow it.

Britain wants to show its extreme displease at the Kremlin's decision, and the seriousness with which it takes the "terrible" murder of Litvinenko, a British citizen and fierce critic of the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Litvinenko, 44, was poisoned with radioactive polonium-210.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Britain was reviewing its "range of cooperation" with Russia The suggestions prompted Russia to promise retaliation.

"Of course, we will not leave it without a response," an unnamed top Russian official was quoted as saying by Interfax.

He, however hoped that "our British partners come to their senses" and not resort to aggravating relations with Moscow in the Cold War style.

The official said "domestic political considerations" may be motivating London's reaction.

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