DATE=7/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA - POLITICS (L)
NUMBER=2-264195
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In his first state-of-the-nation address
Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out his plans
for a strong, centralized Russia that supports
democracy and market reforms but also prioritizes
national interests. Moscow correspondent Eve Conant
reports his 50-minute speech, delivered to Russian
lawmakers, judges, and cabinet members, comes as Mr.
Putin tries to pass controversial legislation to strip
regional officials of their powers.
TEXT: The crux of President Putin's message is that
Russia needs a strong central state to solve the
nation's economic troubles and protect democratic
freedoms.
///Act Putin in Russian in full and fade under///
He explains, "the only choice for Russia is to be a
strong country, confident in itself, not fighting
other strong states, but working with the world
community."
He said Russia needed a pragmatic foreign policy, but
must prioritize national interests. Mr. Putin asked
the assembled lawmakers, in his words, "will we be
able to survive as a nation if we constantly depend on
foreign credits and the goodwill of stronger economic
states?"
Much of his speech was devoted to the need for the
Kremlin to regain many of the powers that were granted
to Russia's regional leaders during the Yeltsin era.
Chechnya was cited as one example where the Kremlin
had lost control of its territory.
///Second Act Putin in Russian in full and fade
under///
He says, "Chechnya has become a center in Russia for
the expansion of international terrorism."
In his address Mr. Putin called media freedom an
"unshakeable value of Russian democracy." But he
blamed powerful businessmen who own media outlets, not
the state, for censoring and controlling the press.
His speech also included an attack on corruption, and
gave a grim account of Russia's economic situation.
///Third Act Putin in Russian in full and fade
under///
He says, "Russia's economic weakness is a serious
problem. The growing gap between the advanced nations
and Russia is pushing us into the group of Third World
countries."
/// OPT /// He pointed out disturbing health and life
expectancy statistics that show Russia could lose up
to one-seventh of its population within 15 years. Mr.
Putin said, "the survival of the nation is under
threat." /// End Opt ///
President Putin said economic priorities included
lowering taxes, ending preferential treatment and
state intervention into businesses, and fighting what
he called "the arbitrariness of bureaucrats and the
rash of criminals."
///Fourth Act Putin in Russian in full and fade
under///
He says, "We do not have a federal state, we have a
decentralized state."
Mr. Putin's repeated promises to re-establish Kremlin
control over Russia's 89 regions have created discord
between the two houses of Russia's parliament but have
won wide support from among the Russian populace.
(Signed)
Neb/ec/dw/plm
08-Jul-2000 07:40 AM EDT (08-Jul-2000 1140 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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