RUSSIA President pursues 2nd term

He emphasized that Russia is a partner with the U.S. in the war on terrorism.
MOSCOW (AP) -- President Vladimir Putin told Russians today that he will seek a second term in the March 14 election, turning a televised question-and-answer session into the unofficial start of his campaign.
Facing more than two hours of questions on topics ranging from mortgage loans and foreign policy to his new puppies, the president boasted of economic improvements and asserted that Russia has regained a measure of respect on the world stage.
He said Russia was "a country that is standing firmly on its feet and developing intensively."
Asked if he will run for re-election, he said "the answer is affirmative," and a more formal announcement will come soon.
The live but carefully orchestrated session with the Russian public has become a December tradition for the popular Putin, who uses it to demonstrate that he is paying close attention to the concerns of ordinary citizens and to make policy pronouncements.
In addition to more than a million questions received by phone and e-mail since Sunday, crowds gathered around microphones in cities and towns across the country -- and some abroad -- in hopes of voicing their worries directly to the president. The exchange was broadcast on two nationwide channels.
This year's session came two weeks after the main pro-Putin party won more than 37 percent of the nationwide vote in elections to the lower parliament house, strengthening the president's control over legislation.
Issues of focus
Putin focused on economic achievements, saying that the gross domestic product is expected to rise by 6.9 percent this year and that salaries, real incomes and pensions have increased. But he also acknowledged that poverty grinds on in Russia, saying 31 million people live below the poverty line.
"This figure is huge and humiliating for Russia," said Putin, who handled several questions about problems with salaries, pensions and housing.
He promised that Russia's fledgling system of mortgage loans will be expanded and said the government has increased spending to fix crumbling housing.
When a soldier serving at a Russian base in Kyrgyzstan, where the United States also has troops, asked about Saddam Hussein's arrest, Putin emphasized that Russia is a partner with the United States in the war on terrorism. However, he reiterated his criticism of the invasion of Iraq and issued a stern warning to Washington not to slide into imperialism.