Europe: Russia: Putin limits democratic process to increase security
In a series of moves that has been largely ignored by the media in the US, President Putin has proposed eliminating Russian democratic process in the wake of a wave of deadly terrorist attacks. His recent proposals include changing all 89 regional governors and all legislators from elected officals to appointed.
On Sep 3 Russia experienced a deadly terrorist attack on a school in Beslen that killed over 350 people, including many children. Also in the last month, 2 passenger planes exploded. All 3 events were marked with possible corruption or ineptness of the police and military officals involved with the events. The BBC has a timeline of Russian history which gives special emphasis to it's recent troubles.
Putin was re-elected in a landslide victory as Russian President in March of this year.
posted by fullcircle @ 9/22/2004 05:44:00 PM
1 Comments:
Putin's moves are not entirely unexpected nor totally outrageous considering Russia's history. The current democracy was created out of a power struggle from within the previous communist government, not a peoples' rebellion. Average russians have experienced an explosion of freedom compared to before, and it's unlikely that Putin will destroy freedom of press or throw up the Iron Curtain again.
Given the difficulties in Russia, Iraq, China, the EU, Africa, and even Latin America, I feel very lucky to be living in the US right now.
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