On 18 November 2004 Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an interview to three major TV channels. Nikolay Svanidze, presenter of "Zerkalo" programme on Russia TV channel, was one of the interviewees.
The "Zerkalo" programme on 20 November showed the highlights of the interview (see Russia TV report at 1645 gmt on 18 November for the text of the interview).
Svanidze particularly pointed out that during the interview Putin made it very clear that he did not plan to stand for a third term in office.
"Everyone wants to know whether Vladimir Putin intends to stand for a third presidential term. In the past the president already answered this question on several occasions and answered negatively," Svanidze said.
"Nevertheless", he continued, "this week the respectable world news agency Reuters carried a signed article headlined "Putin's insidious plans" which said that Putin was trying to mislead the public and - I quote - continues to be silent about his plans for the future."
Before the article was published, Svanidze said, the president answered this sacramental question by saying he was against changing the constitution which stipulates that president cannot serve more than two terms.
"I've a negative view about changing the constitution in the near future or the medium term because it is the document that is the foundation of our statehood and enables us to form the authorities and administration as we see fit but at the same time sets a certain framework and certain limits linked to maintaining the principles of democracy. And, in my view, that's very important.
"The constitution enshrines the founding principles of the new Russian state's existence and we should treasure these principles and treat them with the utmost care," Putin said during the interview.
"In my view," said Svanidze, "it was an utmostly unambiguous answer. Moreover, he could have easily avoided answering this question altogether. There are many simple and convenient ways of doing so, for example he could have said: aren't you, esteemed journalists, tired of asking me this question which I have already answered a thousand times?" "Or he could have said: let the people decide, it is not up to me, it is the people who are supreme power in this country."
"However", Svanidze said, "the president did not choose either way. He said what he thought. I don't know what else he could have said on the subject, except, possibly, swear on the Bible."
"Vladimir Putin made it very clear that he does not want and does not plan to stand for a third term," Svanidze concluded.

Source: RTR Russia TV, Moscow
BBC Monitoring