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Medvedev calls for economy reform | |
(19 minutes later) | |
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is giving his annual state-of-the-nation address, his second in office. | |
He is expected to call for the strengthening of Russian democracy and for rampant corruption to be curbed. | He is expected to call for the strengthening of Russian democracy and for rampant corruption to be curbed. |
In opening remarks, he said that the old economic model would no longer work and that reforms were needed to help advance development. | |
A year ago, in his first such address, he made a surprise announcement about deploying missiles close to Poland. | A year ago, in his first such address, he made a surprise announcement about deploying missiles close to Poland. |
There might be more surprises this time. But, say analysts, the focus is likely to be on transforming Russia into a more modern and open country. | |
This, reports the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow, was the theme of a much talked about article which Mr Medvedev wrote for an internet site in September. | |
In the article, the president was scathing about what he called the country's primitive economy and its humiliating dependence on oil, gas and other raw materials. | In the article, the president was scathing about what he called the country's primitive economy and its humiliating dependence on oil, gas and other raw materials. |
He went on to criticise the level of corruption and the weakness of democracy in the country. | He went on to criticise the level of corruption and the weakness of democracy in the country. |
Now, he said, was the chance to prove that Russia could develop in a democratic way. | Now, he said, was the chance to prove that Russia could develop in a democratic way. |
These strong words have been seen as a criticism of his mentor and predecessor Vladimir Putin, who is now prime minister, our correspondent adds. | |
The president is keen to prove he is his own man and his speech on Thursday could be another chance to do that. | The president is keen to prove he is his own man and his speech on Thursday could be another chance to do that. |