国际英语新闻：Russia says to keep visiting disputed islands

MOSCOW, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The disputed Southern Kuril islands are the sovereign territories of Russia, and Russian officials would continue to visit the islands, a Russian official said on Monday.

The presidential aide, Sergei Prikhodko, reiterated Russia's sovereignty over the disputed Southern Kuril islands also claimed by Japan, saying all Russian officials' visits to the islands have no need to get other countries' permit.

"When the Russian president visits some Russian regions to solve pressing tasks in the interests of Russian citizens, he does not need getting anyone's approval," Prikhodko said.

Also on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement, protesting Japan's "Northern Territories Day," which caused anti-Russian movements on Feb. 7.

"Russia decisively protests the unacceptable statements made by the Japanese leadership towards Russia, believes Tokyo's territorial claims to be unacceptable and condemns the provocative actions of Japanese extremists," the statement said.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan earlier on Monday described Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to the island of Kunashir as "an unallowable affront."

Following his comments, Japanese right-wing campaigners dragged the Russian flag along the ground outside the Russian embassy in Japan.

In response, Russian youth groups also planned to conduct a rally outside the Japanese embassy in Moscow.

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov on Friday visited the Southern Kuril islands, in the wake of a series of visits by Russian officials. Japan has expressed its regret over Serdyukov's visit.

Russia and Japan have long been at odds over the sovereignty of the four Pacific islands, which are called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kurils in Russia.

President Medvedev visited the Kunashir Island last November. He is the first Russian leader to travel to any of the disputed islands. Japan temporarily recalled its ambassador from Moscow to protest Medvedev's visit.