Part of Law on WWII Art Voided

Russia’s Constitutional Court stepped into one of the country’s most prickly post-Cold War disputes Tuesday, striking down parts of a law that would prevent the return of art the Soviet army plundered from Nazi Germany after World War II.

The law now goes back to parliament for revision, leaving more than 1 million paintings, books, coins and other so-called trophy art in the museum basements that have housed them for half a century.

Many Russians--and Russian legislators who pushed through the law--fiercely oppose returning the art, viewing it as rightful restitution for the huge human, material and cultural loss inflicted on the Soviet Union by the Nazis.

But President Boris N. Yeltsin wants to negotiate with Germany--a major trading partner--on the sensitive issue and does not want to be bound by the law.

Yeltsin had asked the Constitutional Court to assess the validity of the law, which he was forced to sign last year after parliament overrode his veto. The court said some articles of the law violate Russia’s Constitution and international obligations.

One problem is that the law does not distinguish between art that belonged to Nazi Germany and works looted by the Nazis.

The justices said Russia must consider claims from individuals, organizations or governments deemed Nazi victims. The Nazis had looted collections from individuals and museums in several European countries, which in turn were confiscated by the Soviets.