Medvedev: How I differ from Putin on reform
Source: Agencies |
May 19, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
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PRESIDENT Dmitry Medvedev spelled out differences with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin yesterday over modernization of the economy and the fate of a jailed oil tycoon, but kept Russia guessing which of them will run in the 2012 presidential election.
Medvedev and Putin suggested one of them will run for a six-year term as president next March, but with less than a year remaining they have yet to say who it will be.
In a more than two-hour news conference broadcast live to the nation, a confident and relaxed-looking Medvedev underlined his credentials as a strong and independent leader but refused to be drawn on the 2012 election.
"To announce such a decision, formats different from a press conference should be chosen," Medvedev told more than 800 journalists at the biggest news conference of his presidency in Skolkovo, an area near Moscow that is earmarked to become a high-tech hub.
Public jibes
The Russian leader, who joked with reporters and carried a tablet computer to the stage with him, promised a decision would be announced soon.
Medvedev, 45, has presented himself as an alternative to the 58-year-old Putin, a former KGB spy. The two men have exchanged public jibes in campaign-like appearances, fueling speculation that Medvedev is positioning himself to seek a second term.
Medvedev sought to play down such talk by saying he and Putin were partners who knew each other well, were like-minded and close on strategy. "But that doesn't mean we agree on everything. It must not be that way. That would be very boring and simply wrong," he said.
In another remark that could be seen as taking a swipe at Putin, Medvedev said: "No one comes to power for ever. People who have such illusions usually end badly."
Medvedev could be signaling he has ambitions to be seen as a viable candidate for a second term or hold another high post if he steps down at the end of this term, but political analysts say the decision on who will run still lies squarely with Putin.
In comments that differentiated him from his mentor, Medvedev called for modernization to diversify the US$1.5 trillion economy away from reliance on oil and gas revenues, 20 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
"As far as I understand, (Putin) believes modernization is a calm, step-by-step process. I think we have the chances and the energy to conduct modernization more swiftly without damage to what has already been done, and to achieve good results."
Medvedev also differed with Putin on the case of oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, jailed for theft and money laundering.
Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man, was arrested in 2003 during Putin's presidency, and his oil company was brought to its knees by back tax claims. Its main assets were sold off by the state.
Asked whether it would be dangerous for society to release him, Medvedev said: "Absolutely not dangerous at all."
Medvedev and Putin suggested one of them will run for a six-year term as president next March, but with less than a year remaining they have yet to say who it will be.
In a more than two-hour news conference broadcast live to the nation, a confident and relaxed-looking Medvedev underlined his credentials as a strong and independent leader but refused to be drawn on the 2012 election.
"To announce such a decision, formats different from a press conference should be chosen," Medvedev told more than 800 journalists at the biggest news conference of his presidency in Skolkovo, an area near Moscow that is earmarked to become a high-tech hub.
Public jibes
The Russian leader, who joked with reporters and carried a tablet computer to the stage with him, promised a decision would be announced soon.
Medvedev, 45, has presented himself as an alternative to the 58-year-old Putin, a former KGB spy. The two men have exchanged public jibes in campaign-like appearances, fueling speculation that Medvedev is positioning himself to seek a second term.
Medvedev sought to play down such talk by saying he and Putin were partners who knew each other well, were like-minded and close on strategy. "But that doesn't mean we agree on everything. It must not be that way. That would be very boring and simply wrong," he said.
In another remark that could be seen as taking a swipe at Putin, Medvedev said: "No one comes to power for ever. People who have such illusions usually end badly."
Medvedev could be signaling he has ambitions to be seen as a viable candidate for a second term or hold another high post if he steps down at the end of this term, but political analysts say the decision on who will run still lies squarely with Putin.
In comments that differentiated him from his mentor, Medvedev called for modernization to diversify the US$1.5 trillion economy away from reliance on oil and gas revenues, 20 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
"As far as I understand, (Putin) believes modernization is a calm, step-by-step process. I think we have the chances and the energy to conduct modernization more swiftly without damage to what has already been done, and to achieve good results."
Medvedev also differed with Putin on the case of oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, jailed for theft and money laundering.
Khodorkovsky, once Russia's richest man, was arrested in 2003 during Putin's presidency, and his oil company was brought to its knees by back tax claims. Its main assets were sold off by the state.
Asked whether it would be dangerous for society to release him, Medvedev said: "Absolutely not dangerous at all."
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