Russia rejects West's criticism on democracy. 20/01/2006. ABC News Online
[This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1551561.htm]
Last Update: Friday, January 20, 2006. 11:05am (AEDT) Russia rejects West's criticism on democracy
Russia has hit out at mounting criticism of its democratic record after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Moscow to live up to the West's expectations as this year's chair of the G8 group of industrialised democracies.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, after talks with French counterpart Philippe Douste-Blazy, responded hotly to a journalist who asked the French Minister why he had not joined recent German and US criticism of Russia.
"For some reason, your French colleague asked if Philippe wanted to join the criticism of Russia and did not ask me if I wanted to join the criticism of the United States," Mr Lavrov said, after listing a series of problems in various Western countries.
Dr Rice's comments added to similar remarks this week from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said she did not agree with President Vladimir Putin over Chechnya, where Russian troops stand accused of systematic rights violations.
Some Western governments have shown an increasing tendency to criticise Moscow and Ms Rice was particularly concerned by a new law that imposes tough curbs on Russian non-governmental organisations.
Critics in the West see Mr Putin's course toward stronger Kremlin control, including subduing the opposition, scrapping gubernatorial polls and clipping the wings of NGOs, as a retreat from democracy.
Mr Lavrov defended Russia's record and said its laws were in line with international practice.
He said parts of the French law on NGOs were in fact "a little tougher" than the new Russian curbs, though he said he doubted anyone would believe him.
Asked about links between French and Russian companies, Mr Douste-Blazy said it was a question for the market - drawing a sharp response from Mr Lavrov.
"And if I was to say this was a question related only to the companies no-one would believe me," Mr Lavrov said.
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