The President speaks
Russia's president gave the annual state of the state speech. He sounded a different tone than that of his prime minister, but he didn't directly challenge the government.A second article describes the main points of the speech in a very different way.
Which bit of coverage is likely to be more accurate? How can we judge? (You'll really need to read the complete text of both articles to judge.)
Russian President Says Modernization Is Needed
President Dmitri A. Medvedev on Thursday called for sweeping reforms to modernize Russia’s economy and revamp crumbling industrial and military infrastructure, all while strengthening the country’s democratic institutions.
Mr. Medvedev addressed these issues, as well as corruption and law enforcement, in his annual state of the nation speech.
“In the 21st century, our country again requires modernization in all areas, and this will be the first time in our history when modernization will be based on the values and institutions of democracy,” Mr. Medvedev said.
Since assuming the presidency in 2008, Mr. Medvedev has sought to cast himself as a reformer and moderate, in contrast to the often hard-line, conservative approach of his predecessor, Vladimir V. Putin, who is now prime minister...
Medvedev Warns Russia Opposition Not to Rock Boat
President Dmitry Medvedev warned Russia's opposition in his annual address on Thursday not to use democracy as a cover to "destabilise the state and split society."
The harsh words came alongside modest pledges by Medvedev to boost regional democracy in Russia. They showed the Kremlin's desire to ensure stability and prevent unrest amid a deep economic recession.
"The strengthening of democracy does not mean the weakening of law and order," Medvedev said in his address to Russia's p
olitical elite gathered in the Grand Kremlin Palace.
"Any attempts to rock the situation with democratic slogans, to destabilise the state and split society will be stopped."...
The president spent most of the 100-minute speech talking about the need for Russia to move its economy away from its Soviet roots in heavy industry and energy extraction towards 21st century sectors such as medicine, telecoms and space. Foreign policy was hardly mentioned...
Find out What You Need to Know
Labels: economics, politics, Russia
posted by Ken Wedding @ 7:56 AM
1 Comments:
Russia's Medvedev Raps Ruling Party Over Elections
"President Dmitry Medvedev scolded leaders of Russia's ruling party on Saturday for "bad political habits" and ordered them to win future elections fairly...
"'Elections which are intended to be ... a competition of ideas and programmes, are sometimes turned into affairs in which democratic procedures are confused with administrative ones,' the president said in a brief opening speech...
"His remarks were greeted with polite applause...
"United Russia, headed by Medvedev's mentor and Kremlin predecessor Vladimir Putin, crushed opposition parties in regional elections held across much of Russia in October.
"Critics said the poll was marred by reports of multiple voting, dubious counts, slanted campaigning and obstruction of opposition candidates but election officials dismissed complaints and Medvedev initially congratulated the victors.
"Watched by Putin, who is now prime minister, from the audience, Medvedev said United Russia had to change. Critics compare it to the Soviet-era Communist Party in its dominance of political and public life...
"Putin spoke to delegates straight after Medvedev, giving a detailed exposition on how Russia's economy would recover from the financial crisis and resume growth...
"Putin did not address Medvedev's criticism of the political system but did warn United Russia members against regarding their party as an 'elite prestige club' for their own benefit..."
Post a Comment
<< Home