la notizia è anche su repubblica. durante il faccia a faccia con le tv putin sfoggia una russia potente, come ai bei tempi dell'URSS. strategie internazionali, nuove armi, crisi iraniana e preparativi per le elezioni di dicembre. la russia è di nuovo potenza
MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin criticized the U.S.-led war in Iraq on Thursday, saying it showed the need for resource-rich countries like Russia to build up their armed forces to defend themselves.
"Thank God Russia is not Iraq," Putin said during a live televised national question-and-answer session. "It is strong enough to protect its interests within the national territory and, by the way, in other regions of the world."
Answering a question about supposed U.S. intentions to gain control over Russia's huge, resource-rich interior, Putin said: "I know that such ideas are brewing in the heads of some politicians. I think it is a sort of political eroticism which maybe gives someone pleasure but will hardly lead anywhere, and the best example of that is Iraq.
"What we are doing to increase our defense capability is the correct choice and we will continue to do that."
Plans for the military include new nuclear weapons technology, he said. "We will not only give attention to the whole nuclear triad - strategic rocket forces, strategic aviation and the nuclear submarine fleet - but also other types of weapons," he said.
Putin spoke in advance of parliamentary elections in December, in which he will run.
He hailed Russia's continued strong economic growth and rising living standards during exchanges with questioners connected live from different Russian cities.
He admitted that inflation, at 8.5 percent in the year to date, was a problem but blamed global economic factors.
More than a million Russians applied to quiz Putin in the session, the sixth such annual event he has held to show he is in touch with the nation.
Kremlin-watchers were following the event carefully for clues on what Putin plans after he steps down next year: whom he will endorse to succeed him and what role Putin himself will take to preserve his influence.
"In 2007 and 2008 we have parliamentary and presidential elections, and there will be a different person in the Kremlin," he said when asked why he was running for Parliament. "In these conditions it is extremely important to preserve a stable path of development for our state and the continuity of those decisions that have been taken in the past few years."
On the diplomatic crisis over Iranian nuclear ambitions, Putin, who visited Iran this week, said, "Direct dialogue with the leaders of states around which certain problems accumulate is always more productive and is the shortest path to success, rather than a policy of threats, sanctions, and all the more so a resolution to use force."
The comment was a clear swipe at the United States, which has sought to impose sanctions and has not ruled out using force against Iran.
Putin, 55, has said he will retain influence after he leaves the presidency next year. He said this month it was possible he could become prime minister. Some observers say he is leaving open the possibility of returning to the presidency at a later date.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/...a.1-155091.php