MOSCOW. Jan 23 (Interfax) - A Russian analyst has predicted that an article on ethnic relations by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin published on Monday will increase his chances of victory in March's presidential election. "The word 'Russian' permeates the article, and I think that this all will go down well with grateful (ethnic) Russians, who make up 80% of voters and Putin's ratings will go up sharply," Sergei Markov told Interfax.
The article, "Russia: The Ethnic Relations Issue," was published in Moscow-based daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta (Independent Newspaper).
"Putin is one of few Russian mainstream politicians who pronounce the word 'Russian' often and when appropriate. Many politicians shun the word 'Russian.' This means they are in a deadlock," Markov said.
Markov credited Putin with paying a lot of attention to "Russian-non-Russian conflicts in traditionally Russian regions."
"This is correct because conflicts of this kind are taking bitter forms. He makes the correct comment that they are not ethnic conflicts, that they simply take on ethnic forms, while essentially it means the state is unable to protect the rights of its citizens," the analyst said, explaining that "citizens" was a reference to ethnic Russians.
Ethnic Russians' "social status" has gone down, Markov said. "When the social status of the main ethnic power is low, it weakens the country as a whole."
Markov argued that the ethnic Russian people are in crisis and that the reduction of the country's population caused by alcoholism, drug abuse and crime is one symptom of this.
"Therefore, the solution of the (ethnic) Russian problem means treatment for these diseases and the restoration of the power of the Russian state," Markov said.
It is essential, Markov argued, that all Russian citizens have equal rights and that Russia remain a multiethnic state. Creating a state of viable multiethnicity is the chief mission of the ethnic Russians, he said.
"The revival of the Russian people must be the main objective of all peoples of the Russian Federation," Markov said.
MOSCOW. Jan 23 (Interfax) - A Russian analyst has predicted that an article on ethnic relations by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin published on Monday will increase his chances of victory in March's presidential election.
"The word 'Russian' permeates the article, and I think that this all will go down well with grateful (ethnic) Russians, who make up 80% of voters and Putin's ratings will go up sharply," Sergei Markov told Interfax.
The article, "Russia: The Ethnic Relations Issue," was published in Moscow-based daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta (Independent Newspaper).
"Putin is one of few Russian mainstream politicians who pronounce the word 'Russian' often and when appropriate. Many politicians shun the word 'Russian.' This means they are in a deadlock," Markov said.
Markov credited Putin with paying a lot of attention to "Russian-non-Russian conflicts in traditionally Russian regions."
"This is correct because conflicts of this kind are taking bitter forms. He makes the correct comment that they are not ethnic conflicts, that they simply take on ethnic forms, while essentially it means the state is unable to protect the rights of its citizens," the analyst said, explaining that "citizens" was a reference to ethnic Russians.
Ethnic Russians' "social status" has gone down, Markov said. "When the social status of the main ethnic power is low, it weakens the country as a whole."
Markov argued that the ethnic Russian people are in crisis and that the reduction of the country's population caused by alcoholism, drug abuse and crime is one symptom of this.
"Therefore, the solution of the (ethnic) Russian problem means treatment for these diseases and the restoration of the power of the Russian state," Markov said.
It is essential, Markov argued, that all Russian citizens have equal rights and that Russia remain a multiethnic state. Creating a state of viable multiethnicity is the chief mission of the ethnic Russians, he said.
"The revival of the Russian people must be the main objective of all peoples of the Russian Federation," Markov said.