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Medvedev calls for economy reform Medvedev calls for economy reform
(20 minutes later)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is giving his annual state-of-the-nation address, his second in office.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. In opening remarks, he said that the old economic model would no longer work and that profound reforms were needed to help advance development.
In opening remarks, he said that the old economic model would no longer work and that reforms were needed to help advance development. Russia could not blame external factors for the current economic crisis, he said.
A year ago, in his first such address, he made a surprise announcement about deploying missiles close to Poland. The nation had to modernise its oil and gas-based economy and raise Russia to a "new, higher level of civilisation".
More than a million Russians were at risk of losing their jobs, he said, and pressing social issues needed to be addressed.
"We will create a new economy instead of a primitive resource-oriented economy," he said.
"We will become a society of free, clever and responsible people, instead of being an archaic society where leaders decide for people."
Economy fears
A year ago, in his first such address, Mr Medvedev 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.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.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.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 is seen as an opportunity to do this.