DATE=3/20/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=KIRIENKO - RUSSIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260393
BYLINE=JON TKACH
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Former Russian Prime Minister and noted
advocate of reform, Sergei Kirienko, predicts there
will not be any sweeping reforms after Sunday's
presidential election. He says Russia's democratic
revolution is over and the country's leaders must
consolidate its gains. But as V-O-A's Jon Tkach
[kotch] reports, Mr. Kirienko said in a Washington
speech Monday that authoritarianism is still a threat
in Russia.
TEXT: Mr. Kirienko, the current leader of the union of
Right forces in the Duma, says Russia still lacks an
adequate system of checks and balances to rein in its
president.
He says the danger of authoritarian rule is real,
though he dismisses fears that likely presidential
election winner Vladimir Putin wants to roll back the
clock.
/// KIRIENKO ACT IN RUSSIAN, FADE TO ///
Mr. Kirienko says Mr. Putin is in favor of a strong
state and feels nostalgia for "the Great Russia." But
he believes common sense will override that tendency
He goes on to say that it is dangerous to have all
power in anyone's hands, and Russia's leaders should
create more institutions to monitor the president's
actions.
But as far as reforms go, the self styled "young
reformer" says Mr. Putin should take it slow. He says
instead of trying to institute new reforms, Mr. Putin
should focus on strengthening the democratic and
economic institutions already put in place during the
years since the fall of the Soviet Union. He stressed
the need to improve government efficiency at the local
level and strengthen protection of private property.
(Signed)
NEB/JON/gm
20-Mar-2000 17:30 PM EDT (20-Mar-2000 2230 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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