Putin Promises Better Life to Russian Workers
December 11, 2000 - 0:0
MAGNITOGORSK, Russia President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday improving living standards of Russia's working people was still one of his top priorities and urged people to draw inspiration from positive Soviet experiences.
Putin visited Magnitogorsk metallurgical plant, the pride of the Soviet industrialization program of the 1930s, a day after the Russian Parliament reinstated the Soviet-era anthem in a move which fueled liberal fears of communist resurgence.
He urged workers at the vast plant in the Urals to draw inspiration from the brightest pages in the nation's history.
"When analyzing the past, we have no right to forget about the heroic deeds of our fathers and grandfathers," Russian news agencies quoted Putin as saying. "This is the best way to treat our history." Putin, who took over Russia after Boris Yeltsin resigned on new year's eve, has softened the anti-communist rhetoric which marked the eight years of his predecessor's rule.
Putin's call to restore order in Russia, his crusade against unpopular Yeltsin-era business magnates and independent-minded regional leaders has ensured the unchallenged position of the country's most popular political leader.
Reasonable Policies but No Paternalism In his political program, confirmed after an election victory in March, Putin said improving living standards in the country, where an average salary scarcely exceeds $100 a month, was his top priority.
"So far labor has been the cheapest stock in Russia," ITAR-TASS quoted Putin as telling the workers at the plant, known locally as "Magnitka".
Putin attacked Russia's newly-emerged capitalists as selfish and some regional officials for neglecting their duties.
"Those who think only about themselves, about personal profits only or simply neglect their duties as in some far eastern parts, should face an appropriate reaction from the state," he said, referring to regions of the country where corruption has been a particular problem.
Putin made clear workers should not expect a return to Soviet-era paternalism or easy cash handouts from the state. But he promised a reasonable government policy which could promote stability and investors' confidence.
"It would be wrong to force banks to invest in enterprises," he said. "They should not be scared to invest. For that sake inflation should be kept under control and for that reason the government cannot issue loose cash." "If one starts pumping cash into the economy, he will get nothing but inflation," he added.
(Reuter)
Putin visited Magnitogorsk metallurgical plant, the pride of the Soviet industrialization program of the 1930s, a day after the Russian Parliament reinstated the Soviet-era anthem in a move which fueled liberal fears of communist resurgence.
He urged workers at the vast plant in the Urals to draw inspiration from the brightest pages in the nation's history.
"When analyzing the past, we have no right to forget about the heroic deeds of our fathers and grandfathers," Russian news agencies quoted Putin as saying. "This is the best way to treat our history." Putin, who took over Russia after Boris Yeltsin resigned on new year's eve, has softened the anti-communist rhetoric which marked the eight years of his predecessor's rule.
Putin's call to restore order in Russia, his crusade against unpopular Yeltsin-era business magnates and independent-minded regional leaders has ensured the unchallenged position of the country's most popular political leader.
Reasonable Policies but No Paternalism In his political program, confirmed after an election victory in March, Putin said improving living standards in the country, where an average salary scarcely exceeds $100 a month, was his top priority.
"So far labor has been the cheapest stock in Russia," ITAR-TASS quoted Putin as telling the workers at the plant, known locally as "Magnitka".
Putin attacked Russia's newly-emerged capitalists as selfish and some regional officials for neglecting their duties.
"Those who think only about themselves, about personal profits only or simply neglect their duties as in some far eastern parts, should face an appropriate reaction from the state," he said, referring to regions of the country where corruption has been a particular problem.
Putin made clear workers should not expect a return to Soviet-era paternalism or easy cash handouts from the state. But he promised a reasonable government policy which could promote stability and investors' confidence.
"It would be wrong to force banks to invest in enterprises," he said. "They should not be scared to invest. For that sake inflation should be kept under control and for that reason the government cannot issue loose cash." "If one starts pumping cash into the economy, he will get nothing but inflation," he added.
(Reuter)