DATE=7/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA MILITARY (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264776
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian President Vladimir Putin has told a
group of senior military officers that rebuilding the
country's defenses will be among his top priorities.
But as V-O-A's Peter Heinlein reports from Moscow, Mr.
Putin dismissed speculation that he might merge
Russia's security services into a big Soviet-style
police agency.
TEXT: At a Kremlin ceremony Tuesday, President Putin
said he believes Russia's military might is the key to
peace and stability.
/// PUTIN ACT ONE - IN RUSSIAN - FADE
UNDER ///
He says, "the military factor is foremost in
maintaining stability in the nation and providing
peaceful, progressive development."
Mr. Putin's speech to a group of officers about to
take up new assignments comes at a time of deep
disagreement within the military.
One faction, led by Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev,
believes Russia must make up for the weakness of its
conventional forces by maintaining a strong nuclear
deterrent. An opposing faction, led by Chief of Staff
General Anatoly Kvashnin, argues that the country must
build up its conventional capability at a time when
troops are fighting a war in Chechnya.
Russia's armed forces have staunchly supported Mr.
Putin, who in turn has solidly backed the war effort
in Chechnya. But military analysts say that despite
the Russian leader's strong statements, the budget
crunch means there is likely to be little money
available for any substantial improvement in military
capability.
Mr. Putin also used his speech to dismiss widespread
rumors that he wants to merge Russia's various state
security services into a single K-G-B-style agency.
His past as a Soviet K-G-B agent, and as head of one
of the K-G-B's successor agencies, had given rise to
speculation he wanted to recreate the old system.
But he told the assembled officers such a plan is out
of the question.
/// PUTIN ACT TWO - IN RUSSIAN - FADE
UNDER ///
He says, "You are all experienced generals and
officers. You remember how the K-G-B operated. It was
both easier and more difficult to work within one
system."
But, he said the current security setup, which he
called "a community of special services," is more
effective. He added, "we need to put an end to rumors
of mergers and creating a super-system. We do not
need anything like that."
In his speech, Mr. Putin praised the work of the armed
forces, but appeared critical of the Interior
Ministry. He charged the police agency with doing a
poor job of fighting organized crime and corruption,
and said he had discussed a re-organization plan with
Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo.
Mr. Putin publicly reprimanded both Mr. Rushailo and
Defense Minister Sergeyev earlier this month after a
wave of suicide bombings in Chechnya that killed more
than 50 people. Most of the Russian troops fighting
in Chechnya are with the Interior Ministry. (Signed)
NEB/PFH/JWH/JP
25-Jul-2000 10:26 AM LOC (25-Jul-2000 1426 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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