A Russian government commission has concluded that, after thorough scientific examination, the bones purported to be those of the last Tsar, Nicholas II, and other members of the royal family, are genuine. But with that mystery finally solved, another row is raging: where will the remains be buried? The BBC's Russian Affairs analyst, Stephen Dalziel, reports:

Ever since the remains of Tsar Nicholas II, his wife, Alexandra, three of their daughters and four family retainers were dug up in 1991, there have been few serious doubts about their authenticity.

Extensive scientific tests have been carried out since then, including in 1994 disinterring the body of the Tsar's brother, Georgy. And, as a surviving relative of the Tsar, Prince Philip, husband of the British Queen, Elizabeth, even gave DNA samples for tests.

But it is only now that the chairman of the government commission, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Boris Nemtsov, has been able to confirm that these really are the remains of the royal family.

A fresh dispute

It may be solemnly announced that the remains which were found have been studied and found to be those of the family of Nicholas II, and now there can be no more doubts even among the biggest sceptics.

But if the findings of the commission have closed the chapter regarding the identity of the remains, they have given new vigour to the argument as to where the remains will be buried.

In a dispute criticised by many as being unseemly when dealing with the remains of human beings, three Russian cities are claiming the right to inter the bones: Yekaterinburg, St Petersburg and Moscow.

The royal family were shot in a house in Yekaterinburg, the city in the Ural mountains from where the Russian President, Boris Yeltsin, hails.

Though large, it is a characterless city, and undoubtedly part of the reason for the claim to the bones is that it may give a boost to some kind of tourist industry.

But it could also prove an embarrassment for Mr Yeltsin, as he was the local Communist Party boss who, acting on Moscow's orders, in 1978 ordered the destruction of the house where the killings took place. This was done to stop it from becoming a tourist attraction.

Other cities have a claim

All other tsars of the Romanov dynasty are buried in St Petersburg, hence that city's claim.

And Moscow, as the capital, wants the remains to be interred in the recently rebuilt Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

The final decision rests with Mr Yeltsin. And, as Mr Nemtsov explained, the wishes of surviving Romanovs will be taken into account.

"We have hardly been able to speak to all the relatives, but, nevertheless, we shall be reporting to the president all the information regarding the wishes for the burial site, and a date of the burial, and the head of state will make a final decision", he said.

But it seems likely that the row will continue - even after the remains are buried.
 

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