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Russia: 'Putin foe' to run for presidency (Kasyanov)
BBC ^ | 09/14/05

Posted on 09/14/2005 5:54:58 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster

'Putin foe' to run for presidency

Russia's former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has said he will stand for president in the 2008 election.

Mr Kasyanov, 47, is seen as the most persistent critic of President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of taking the country away from a democratic path.

He is currently under an investigation for alleged fraud and abuse of power - the charges he denies as Moscow's attempt to discredit him.

The constitution bars Mr Putin from running for a third term.

'No-one else'

"As of today, my answer is yes," Mr Kasyanov told Moscow's Ekho Moskvy radio when asked if he would be standing for president.

"I cannot just go into the shadows. At the moment there is no-one to develop those political processes that could lead to the positive results, which many millions of Russian citizens are counting on," he said.

Mr Kasyanov served as prime minister for most of President Putin's first term, but was sacked last year.

Prosecutors opened the investigation over allegations that he purchased a country home outside Moscow for a fraction of its market price.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: election; kasyanov; politicalfoe; president; putin; russia
Would he be a serious challenge to Putin?
1 posted on 09/14/2005 5:55:01 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Will he be visiting Marcy Park in the near future?


2 posted on 09/14/2005 5:56:38 PM PDT by mcg2000 (Wolf Blitzer: "They're all so desperate, so poor and so black.")
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To: mcg2000
Re #2

If he found dead there, his death would be called 'Putincide.":)

3 posted on 09/14/2005 5:58:52 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Someone's going to disappear soon.


4 posted on 09/14/2005 6:00:17 PM PDT by Crazieman (6-23-2005, Establishment of the United Socialist States of America)
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To: TigerLikesRooster
"Would he be a serious challenge to Putin?"
It must be non-trivial to challenge someone who is not a candidate oneself. He might be a challenge to [a candidate/s of] the coalition of parties forming Putin's support, though.
5 posted on 09/14/2005 6:06:38 PM PDT by GSlob
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To: Crazieman

Some is going to be feed a dioxin soup within the year.


6 posted on 09/14/2005 7:06:05 PM PDT by Proud_USA_Republican
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To: Proud_USA_Republican

goodbye mikhail!! when puty -put finds a way to make you go poof!!


7 posted on 09/14/2005 7:49:45 PM PDT by fatteddy
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To: TigerLikesRooster

How do you say Arkancide in Russian?


8 posted on 09/14/2005 7:51:04 PM PDT by NeoCaveman ("Government is not the solution, it is the problem" - Ronald Reagan)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Most serious there is out there. Likely the only man who could unite the progressive opposition parties.

Still don't think he has much of a chance. Kremlin toadies in the Duma have already begun an "investigation" into some allegedly questionably bought dachas in the Yeltsin years.

But he has been quite clever in showing his hand this early. It might make the Kremlin think twice before turning him into Khodorkovsky II.


9 posted on 09/14/2005 10:44:43 PM PDT by propertius
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To: TigerLikesRooster

"Mick the 2%"? I doubt it.


10 posted on 09/14/2005 11:36:17 PM PDT by Freelance Warrior
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Would he be a serious challenge to Putin?==

He ar enot chalenge for Putin since Putin is alredy on his 2d term.
Otherwise Kasyanov wellknown in Russia by nickname "Misha 2%". It is his usual fee which he asked for his signature when he was financial minister.
SO Kasyanov is corruptioneer. I think his chances are less then even Kasparov.


11 posted on 09/15/2005 2:44:04 AM PDT by RusIvan
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