Bomb threat delays Rice

2005-04-19 16:59

Moscow - US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice said on Tuesday that despite serious setbacks to Russian democracy, there is no sign the country is poised to return to its totalitarian past.

As evidence of growing democracy, Rice said Russia's opposition is expected to contest the next presidential elections, and she also cited recent protests by retirees angry over a reduction in benefits.

Rice added that "there is a considerable amount of individual freedom" in Russia nowadays.

"One can't imagine reverting back to Soviet times," Rice said while en route here for talks with President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials.

Rice's arrival was delayed because of a bomb threat at her hotel, the Renaissance Hotel in Moscow.

A senior US state department official said there were two bomb threats - one at the hotel itself and an earlier one in the vicinity of the hotel.

The party learnt of the threat while still airborne.

While Russia security services swept the hotel, Rice went to the ambassador's residence and members of her party went to the US embassy.

The two-day visit is intended to pave the way for US President George W Bush's trip to Moscow next month.

Democratic developments will be a major theme of Rice's discussions here.

She pointed to the absence of independent voices in Russia's electronic media as perhaps her "principle concern" over Russia's current course.

She also cited Putin's decision to appoint provincial governors as opposed to their election.

Rice said there is no thought of seeking Russia's expulsion from the so-called G-8, the group of the world's most industrialised nations.

But, she added, in exchange for the privileges of G-8 membership, Russia is expected to abide by democratic principles and the rule of law.

Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson, Alexander Yakovenko, said talks with Rice would span political, military and humanitarian themes.

- AP