The Foreign Ministry\'s information department on 29 December criticized a U.S. State Department report on international religious freedom for 2003, saying it \"contradicts the spirit of partnership\" between Russia and the United States and is \"counterproductive\" for establishing a \"comprehensive dialogue,\" RBK reported. The report, which was released on 18 December, states that the Russian authorities have imposed restrictions on some religious groups and do not always respect the Russian Constitution\'s provisions for the equality of all religions before the law and the separation of church and state. It further charges that the security services \"were increasingly treating the leadership of some minority religious groups as security threats.\" The report can be seen on the State Department\'s website at http://www.state.gov/s/d/rm/27404.htm. The Foreign Ministry called the report \"tendentiously biased against Russia\" and said it \"ignores profound positive changes in relations between the state and religions that are reflected in the constitution and legislation.\" (RFE/RL)