В.Путин.Обращение к гражданам России.17.05.00 Part 2

Televised Address to the People of Russia Part 2 May 17, 2000 Moscow. Телевизионное обращение к гражданам России 17 мая 2000 года Москва. I wish here to emphasise that all the bills I have submitted fit within the framework of the current Russian Constitution. Now I would like to address State Duma deputies and Federation Council members. Today we have debated these issues for a long time with a large number of Federation Council members in the Kremlin. The bills might get a mixed reception and may give rise to additional debate. We are ready for that. I am sure that together we will translate these far-from-simple decisions into life. The time has come to separate party, local and personal ambitions from the urgent need to strengthen the state and enhance authority. The people of Russia have long been waiting for this. We must live up to their expectations.I am deeply convinced that we should have effectively functioning authorities, with every one pulling their weight. Lawmakers in the upper and lower houses should pass laws, and governors, who bear enormous responsibility for the social well-being of the people and for the success of their regional economies, should do their jobs. No one can replace them in this role.Today, they are as concerned with strengthening authority as the federal centre. Some have proposed even more radical measures than those in the bills, up to and including the direct appointment of governors by the Russian president. But I believed and still believe that heads of regions should be elected by the people. This procedure is already established and became part of our democratic system.I also consider it important to say that the bills are not directed against regional leaders. On the contrary, I am sure that the heads of regions are the presidents main support and will remain so in strengthening our state. A state is not simply a piece of land on which we live and work, not a geographical area with drawn boundaries; it is, above all, constitutional order and discipline. If these instruments are weak, so is the state. Or it just does not exist.It is a glaring fact when just consider the figure one-fifth of legislative acts passed in the regions conflict with the countrys fundamental law, when the constitutions of republics and statutes of regions disagree with the Constitution of Russia, when Russian regions erect trade barriers or, worse still, border posts, which also happens. The effects of such violations are disastrous. These seemingly small things gradually combine to give rise to separatism, which sometimes develops into a more dangerous evil international terrorism.Once more, I address the lawmakers, and once again I want to stress that the time of forced compromise leading to instability is gone. And I do hope that you will support the policy of strengthening the Russian state.People of Russia, you know as well as I do that lack of government discipline costs millions of ordinary people dearly. Official incompetence is damaging to personal safety, the inviolability of the home and property, and ultimately our own welfare and the future of our children. This is why we need a strong and accountable government. Therefore I am seeking your approval for the steps being taken. I was elected Russian president with that mandate in mind, and I am going to carry out this policy firmly and consistently, the way we are doing it today. Thank you for your time.

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