Hmm. Did he mention the kalishnikov factories and advanced fighters he's sold to Venezuela?Putin stands firm on energy controlMr Putin insisted that Russia would act responsibly in global energy markets but he rejected European Union demands that Russia sign the new EU energy charter, which calls for open access by independent producers to the Russian pipeline network... [T]he Russian leader insisted that he would not splurge the vast earnings from energy exports... that the so-called Stabilisation Fund would be used only for long-term projects, paying off debts, investing in infrastructure and encouraging high technology... The only special case he allowed was agriculture, which he said still employed 40 million people. "This is their life," he said. "It is a special sphere." But petro-dollars would not be used to subsidise agricultural exports or introduce a system like that of Western Europe... Mr Putin gave a tough defence of Russian policy on Iran, China, Japan and Europe. He repeatedly criticised American policy towards Russia... Mr Putin recently announced a range of measures to bolster the faltering birthrate and improve life expectancy for men. Mothers will receive new benefits totalling almost $10,000 (£5,300). Money would be available for adoption, maternity leave would increase and male mortality would be reduced by combating alcoholism and the bad accident rate. The President acknowledged that labour shortages could be alleviated by greater immigration... There had, however, been no success in deciding the future of four former Japanese islands occupied by Russia after the Second World War... On Iran, both Russia and China are against sanctions, but Mr Putin reiterated his opposition to Tehran's drive to enrich uranium. He said that the line between using this for peaceful or military purposes was fuzzy. He called on Tehran to abandon the programme and accept Russia's suggestion of special centres outside Iran where there would be free access to the enrichment technology and spent fuel could be handed in.
by Michael Binyon
The Times
September 11, 2006
This is your quote:
"Mr Putin insisted that Russia would act responsibly in global energy markets but he rejected European Union demands that Russia sign the new EU energy charter, which calls for open access by independent producers to the Russian pipeline network... [T]he Russian leader insisted that he would not splurge the vast earnings from energy exports... that the so-called Stabilisation Fund would be used only for long-term projects, paying off debts, investing in infrastructure and encouraging high technology...
And here in red are the passages someone else could have kept. GOOD JOB man!
[...] any contracts must be fair and take into account Moscow’s needs and interests.
Mr Putin insisted that Russia would act responsibly in global energy markets but he rejected European Union demands that Russia sign the new EU energy charter, which calls for open access by independent producers to the Russian pipeline network. He said that this would not benefit consumers or bring the price of gas down, would hand over any extra profits to intermediaries and would not offer Russia anything in return. [...] [T]he Russian leader insisted that he would not splurge the vast earnings from energy exports... that the so-called Stabilisation Fund would be used only for long-term projects, paying off debts, investing in infrastructure and encouraging high technology...
Mr. Putin's point is that economic exchange and coooperation should benefit both sides while present European demands would benefit only West.