THE GREATNESS OF A PINOCHET?:

Putin vows a free democratic vote on next leader (Reuters, The Associated Press, February 1, 2007)

"There will be no successor," Putin, whose opinion poll ratings remain high, said at his annual news conference in the Kremlin's Round Hall. "There will be candidates for the post of president." [...]

Speaking seated at a dais flanked by two giant television screens, Putin said that although Russia's GDP had reached $1 trillion last year, the top priority was still to raise living standards and narrow Russia's gap in incomes.

"Everything has to be subordinated to raising living standards and the quality of life," Putin commented. It was vital to "narrow the gap between wage earners."

Russia's rapid and unpredictable transition to capitalism since the collapse of the Soviet Union has seen huge disparities in wealth emerge between billionaire businessmen and dirt-poor peasants eking out an existence in shrinking villages.

Putin said much more needed to be done to fight corruption and improve press freedom but added that ordinary Russians should play a bigger role.

Maybe W really did see into the depths of his soul, eh?

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 1, 2007 9:11 PM