Russians deny existence of territorial dispute.

MOSCOW -- Japan's hope for the return of Russian-held islands off Hokkaido was dealt a serious blow Monday as Russia's lower house adopted a proposal demanding President Vladimir Putin and the Russian government suspend territorial negotiations.

The written proposal, submitted to and adopted by the State Duma during a public hearing, reflects the country's public sentiment against Tokyo's insistance that the four islands rightly belong to Japan.

Sources said the proposal apparently dismisses the Japanese strategy that both countries need to solve the territorial dispute before Tokyo and Moscow conclude a peace treaty.

The draft of the proposal …