Medvedev: countries must accept criticism
YAROSLAVL, Russia — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday that all countries must be willing to accept the criticism of others, a policy that would be a distinct break from the prickly defensiveness of his predecessor Vladimir Putin.
Medvedev, prone to generalities and implications rather than outright statements, did not mention any countries by name in his speech to an international security conference.
But his remarks were closely scrutinized by observers trying to determine if he is setting a different course than Putin pursued in his eight years in power.
The issue of how much they may differ gained attention last week after Putin made his strongest indication yet that he could run for president again in 2012.
Putin, now prime minister, last Friday told a delegation of Western scholars and journalists that he and Medvedev wouldn’t compete against each other, but “sit down and decide” who will run.
Medvedev has appeared to try to emerge from the shadow of his predecessor and mentor, but Putin is widely seen as calling the shots in Russia.
Medvedev’s statement Monday contrasted with the line of Putin, who has angrily brushed off any Western criticism of Russian democracy as interference in Russian affairs.
“Countries are entitled to critically assess not only foreign, but also domestic policies of one another,” Medvedev said. “They may point to flaws of such policy if it may lead to international problems, or ignores generally-accepted ethical and humanitarian norms.”
“Rights of nations mustn’t be used to create isolated, non-transparent and closed political regimes,” Medvedev said.
He added, however, that rules and criteria of such assessment must not be enforced upon.
Putin, Medvedev’s predecessor and mentor, worked to centralize Russia’s political system, strengthen state control over media and stifle dissent during his presidency.
Medvedev also sought to revive his proposal of a new European security pact which has received lukewarm reception in the West.
Medvedev, speaking at an international conference in Yaroslavl, insisted that the new document was necessary to improve rapport between the continent’s nations.
“I hope to continue discussing one of our initiatives — the European security treaty,” Medvedev said in a speech to the conference. “We will continue to push for this proposal and explain our position.”
Medvedev first made the proposal shortly after his March 2008 election, arguing that the new document was necessary to improve mutual trust and security in Europe.
The previous U.S. administration stonewalled Medvedev’s idea, but President Barack Obama has acknowledged it as part of his efforts to “reset” relations with Moscow.
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