low graphics version | feedback | help
|
 The BBC's Robin Oakley reports"Blair is convinced that Mr Putin will open up access to Chechnya"  real 28k  The BBC's Robin Oakley on Breakfast with Frost"I think they've established a kind of working relationship"  real 28k |
Blair praises 'impressive' Putin
Mr Blair (right) described Mr Putin as a quick learner
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has praised Russia's acting President Vladimir Putin as an impressive man with a clear vision of what he wants to achieve in his country.
He was speaking on his way back to London after talks with Mr Putin in Russia which focused on the war in Chechnya.
He was speaking on his way back to London after talks with Mr Putin in Russia which focused on the war in Chechnya.
He was highly intelligent and with a focused view of what he wants to achieve in Russia  |
Tony Blair
|
Mr Blair said he regards Mr Putin, the favourite in this month's election to find a successor to Boris Yelstin, as a quick learner with a strong sense of Russia's place in the world.
"He was highly intelligent and with a focused view of what he wants to achieve in Russia," Mr Blair told the BBC.
He said he believes Mr Putin wants to modernise the Russian economy and open up Russia for investment.
In his talks with Mr Blair, Mr Putin indicated that he wished to encourage British expertise and investment, particularly in developing Russian oil and gas resources and in aerospace projects.
Mr Blair and his wife Cherie spent a day in St Petersburg as guests of Mr Putin, rounding off their visit on Saturday night with a visit to a production of Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace, a stirring tale of Russian resistance in wartime.
Stengthening ties
The UK prime minister was the first western leader to meet the former KGB man since he came to office.
One of Mr Blair's main aims on the visit was to "renew and strengthen" Britain's ties with Russia.
Mr Blair said he was convinced that Mr Putin would open up access to Chechnya for international bodies seeking to provide relief and to investigate claims of atrocities.
The West believes Russia is using disproportionate force and killing civilians in its campaign against Chechen separatists.
But Western leaders have been anxious to temper their criticism to avoid alienating the new Russian leader.
Mr Putin said Russia was willing to let the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE) or the Council of Europe play a role in Chechnya, without specifying what such organisations would do, according to Interfax news agency.
But the acting president reiterated his staunch defence of the military offensive there.
"He was highly intelligent and with a focused view of what he wants to achieve in Russia," Mr Blair told the BBC.
He said he believes Mr Putin wants to modernise the Russian economy and open up Russia for investment.
In his talks with Mr Blair, Mr Putin indicated that he wished to encourage British expertise and investment, particularly in developing Russian oil and gas resources and in aerospace projects.
Mr Blair and his wife Cherie spent a day in St Petersburg as guests of Mr Putin, rounding off their visit on Saturday night with a visit to a production of Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace, a stirring tale of Russian resistance in wartime.
Stengthening ties
The UK prime minister was the first western leader to meet the former KGB man since he came to office.
One of Mr Blair's main aims on the visit was to "renew and strengthen" Britain's ties with Russia.
Mr Blair said he was convinced that Mr Putin would open up access to Chechnya for international bodies seeking to provide relief and to investigate claims of atrocities.
The West believes Russia is using disproportionate force and killing civilians in its campaign against Chechen separatists.
But Western leaders have been anxious to temper their criticism to avoid alienating the new Russian leader.
Mr Putin said Russia was willing to let the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE) or the Council of Europe play a role in Chechnya, without specifying what such organisations would do, according to Interfax news agency.
But the acting president reiterated his staunch defence of the military offensive there.
|
Search BBC News Online |
|
|
 Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
|
| BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
|
| BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
Country profiles
See also:
Internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Links to other Europe stories are at the foot of the page.
E-mail this story to a friend
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~39~RS~)