21.   The Russian Orthodox Church, which was suppressed during the Soviet era, strongly objects to the Soviet anthem, according to Russian media reports.

22.   The Soviet anthem, written by Alexander Alexandrov, is stirring and easy to sing, its proponents say.

23.   The son of the author of the Soviet anthem and brother of Hollywood director Andrei Konchalovsky, Mikhalkov was a successful director in Soviet times.

24.   They abandoned their criticism in response to the reintroduction of the Soviet anthem.

25.   They note that he has restored the stirring music of the Soviet anthem for the new Russian anthem and say he is threatening media and other freedoms.

26.   Zhirinovsky also led party delegates in singing patriotic songs, including the former Soviet anthem.

27.   Yeltsin also sharply criticized Putin for his proposal to restore the music of the old Soviet anthem as the Russian anthem, a move approved by parliament Friday.