DATE=7/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / PUTIN (L-O)
NUMBER=2-264340
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Vladimir Putin has told foreign and
Russian reporters that he supports democratic reforms,
but that his first priority is to strengthen the power
of the state. Moscow Correspondent Eve Conant reports
Mr. Putin warned against what he called - fostering
anarchy in Russia.
TEXT: President Putin told journalists that he was
ready to support democratic and market reforms in
Russia, but only to the extent that they can be kept
free of corruption and lawlessness.
/// ACT PUTIN IN RUSSIAN IN FULL AND FADE UNDER ///
Mr. Putin asks - would the measures aimed at
strengthening the state lead to the return of
totalitarianism? He says - I am deeply convinced that
a liberal economy is not possible without the
development of democratic freedoms and institutions.
But - he warns -do not confuse democracy with
anarchy, we will continue develop a civil society with
political parties and mass media.
But Mr. Putin said he would not let anyone, in his
words - cultivate anarchy.
His interview late Tuesday came the same day that
investigators and security service agents confiscated
documents from a company that owns a television
network, radio, and newspaper outlets, which have been
critical of President Putin and Moscow's military
campaign in Chechnya.
President Putin said in order fulfill his priority of
building a strong state, his administration must fight
corruption. He compared corrupt officials to
fisherman who make successful catches in muddy waters.
/// SECOND ACT PUTIN IN RUSSIAN IN FULL AND FADE ///
Mr. Putin says - there is a Russian saying to fish in
dirty waters; there are people who have caught a lot
and want to keep the situation unclear in order to
catch more. He says - this is not acceptable for the
Russian people or our partners abroad.
Mr. Putin argued that in order to develop a liberal
economy Russia must protect property rights, and fight
corruption - we must have a strong, effective state -
he said.
A key part of Mr. Putin's reforms since his election
last March has been to attempt to strip regional
leaders and governors of much of the autonomy they
were granted during the Yeltsin era. Mr. Putin has
complained that regional officials have been breaking
constitutional laws and flouting Kremlin authority.
/// THIRD ACT PUTIN IN RUSSIAN IN FULL AND FADE ///
He says - in order to have a strong state we must have
an effective judicial system. It is not so important
how strict the punishment is, what is important is
that it is unavoidable.
Mr. Putin added that he forsees Russia developing
along the lines of Japan or Germany after World War
Two. He also talked about his plans for attending the
summit of leading industrial nations in Japan later
this month. He told reporters he expects to be
treated as an equal.
/// FOURTH ACT PUTIN IN RUSSIAN IN FULL AND FADE ///
He says - we are not expecting anything or asking for
anything. I would like to express my attitude to my
colleagues from other developed countries in this way:
It would be ideal if we were granted most favorable
conditions, if other countries treated Russia no worse
than their other partners.
Mr. Putin says such a relationship would be - ideal
for Russia. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/GE/RAE
12-Jul-2000 07:39 AM EDT (12-Jul-2000 1139 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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