Gao Shuqin
On
May 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his State of the
Union Address to the Federal Assembly of the Russian State Duma,
the fourth time Putin has done so and the last of this term of
presidency. What does he have in store for Russia? Gao Shuqin, an
international relation researcher with a keen eye for Russian
issues and now studying in Moscow presents her insights on the
address. ---- Ed.
Several drafts later
Russia is intending to go to the polls on March 14, 2004 to hold a
general election and so in the speech it was not surprising to see
Mr. Putin placed great emphasis on subjects that will affect his
re-election campaign. Given the changes in both domestic and
international environments, the speech had been altered three times
and came two months later than scheduled.
The Iraqi War last month brought great changes to the world's
situation in which Russia suffered heavy financial losses, and Mr.
Putin had to change his planned tone, previously focused on his
diplomatic successes.
Then, because the teachers, doctors as well as civil servants
cannot get their salaries on time, the result of recent high
inflation in Russia, the idea to put the economy and finance as a
focus for the speech was also rethought. Later, Mr. Putin blamed
all this on his Premier Mikhail Kasyanov and prepared to fire him
so as to reduce the pressure by the time of the next general
election. However, against such a background that global oil prices
fell and Russia suffered difficulties in finance, it turned out
that firing Kasyanov could only add one disaster on top of another.
What's more, Kasyanov's cabinet is known to be steady and
experienced, with his financial background adjusting what Mr. Putin
lacks. Again, Putin had to rethink.
The Federal Assembly was held in the Marble Hall of the Kremlin.
President Putin concluded the past, and looked forward to the
future. When he came to work in the past three years, he said, "The
president's committee not only solved a series of problems, but
also achieved some successes." Besides these, Mr. Putin also
described the blue print for the next ten years, which greatly
surpasses his second term period.
In
Putin's words, there are still three important problems not yet
solved from his first term including the population crisis, the
economic recession and government construction. During the past
three years, the birth rate increased by 18 percent, the teenage
death rate kept the lowest in history while the natural death rate
grew by 10 percent, and one fourth of the population led a life
below the poverty line.
The focus of foreign policy
Mr. Putin said Russia was eager for stable world order in the
foreseeable future, which would not only guarantee the peace of the
region and the earth as a whole but also the progress of the world
politics and economy.
"Today's world faces various realistic and potential threats like
global terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
regional conflicts and territory disputes," he said. "Yet, some
powers have not put their armies into the fight against terrorism,
instead, using them to expand their sphere of influence." Though
Mr. Putin did not name names, the delegates present agreed he
referred to the U.S.
Mr. Putin put it clearly that the Commonwealth of Independent
States (former USSR states) is the zone of Russia's interests and
Russian advantage in diplomacy. In addition, Russia will strengthen
and promote the process of European integration. Hopefully Russia
may cancel visas with other European nations in the near future.
Mr. Putin emphasized the irreplaceable role of the UN in peace
making activity. "The UN is a comprehensive organ to solve various
international issues so that the UN should be maintained," he
said.
Step up military modernization
Mr. Putin put forward that Russia needs a strong professional army
with advanced equipment to keep the peace and development of its
nation. By 2007, Russia should complete the reform of the armed
forces, developing modern military defense so as to enable its army
with the most advanced weapons in the world.
He
also analyzed and advocated for the future of globalization, and
repeated the words, "Russia is sure to become" which endow his
State of the Union Address with idealism. Mr. Putin pledged to make
Russia a sound market economy, stable democracy, a nation of civil
society, and strong army, as well as human rights respected and
protected.
Strengthen the governance of the Chechen Republic
As
mentioned in Putin's speech, Russia must crush the resistance of
illegal militants in the Chechen Republic, and return a normal life
to the people there. The public referendum held in March showed
that the Chechen Republic is an inseparable part of the Russian
Federation and is certain to unite. However, there's still a long
way to go to achieve normalization of the region. Mr. Putin
stressed to revive Chechen's economy and restore social order. He
strengthened the governance of local affairs, and would sign an
agreement with local government on separation of power when
necessary. In addition, Putin tried to reduce the negative effects
of the Chechen War as much as possible in order to win the next
presidential election.
Quicken economic development
Compared with the State of the Union Address of 2001 and 2002, this
year Putin talked in generalities. What's worth noticing is that he
mentioned the economic sector with a more cautious manner. After
all, Russia's economic development greatly depends on the
international market.
The gross domestic product (GDP) of Russia in the past three years
increased by 20 percent, fixed-asset investments jumped over 30
percent, and foreign trade volume rose by 25 percent. Putin pointed
out that the main problems of Russia's economy were low income of
its citizens, increasing unemployment, and unstable and lowering
economic growth.
Putin also outlined Russia's future economic development. He said
that the three tasks which have to be achieved before 2010 were to
double Russia's GDP, eliminate poverty and complete the
modernization of national defense. In order to become integrated
into the world economy, the ruble, Russia's currency, has to be
convertible in the world economy, so that Russia can easily take
passports and rubles overseas for tours or businesses. To become
one of the world powers, Russia has to make all its industries
competitive in the rest of the world.
Reform government body
In
his speech, Putin reiterated to reform the government institution.
He said that the Russian government not only needs to combat its
bureaucratic working style, but also to eliminate official
monopoly. Currently, there are lots of monopoly in many fields, but
competent managing people are in short in governments of different
levels, seriously hindering Russia's social and economic
development.
In
his speech, Mr. Putin emphasized again and again the importance to
consolidate the unification of Russia, speed up the construction of
market economy mechanisms, carry out legal reform, and perfect
election law, which will lay the foundation for realization of a
civil society and powerful parties.
(China.org.cn translated by Zheng Guihong and Tang Fuchun, May 23,
2003)