29 May 2004 07:06
Gulf News says: Putin sends all the right signals
It is decidedly much more than a coincidence that Vladimir Putin's tenure so far as the president of Russia has
been marked by economic growth. Putin, something of a Renaissance man given his hands-on management style and wider
understanding of issues, has now set his sights on spreading the benefits of Russia's growth amongst a far larger
segment of the population.
In devoting most of his fifth annual state of the nation address to nuts and bolts issues such as affordable housing,
education and healthcare, Putin has signalled that he's going to be more focused than ever on meeting the needs of
millions of Russians who clearly don't need to live below the poverty line. Not in a one-time superpower that is
tipped to double its GDP in six years.
Among many other positive signals to Russians, the CIS and the international community is Putin's commitment to
democracy and his nod to private investment in the crucial oil sector.
[Gulf News] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
