Should Kerry address this news about Putin consolidating power

[BootinUp]

What do you all think? I would like to see Kerry make the case that Bush has not worked with Russia to further democracy.

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Putin moves to strengthen Kremlin power

Russian leader's initiative follows series of terror attacksThe Associated Press
Updated: 7:47 a.m. ET Sept. 13, 2004

MOSCOW - Responding to a spate of deadly terror attacks, President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced a series of far-reaching initiatives that would significantly strengthen the Kremlin’s control over the country’s political life.

Putin convened an extraordinary meeting of the Russian Cabinet, top security and military officials, and the nation’s governors, saying a strong central government was key to preventing more attacks like the school hostage-taking in North Ossetia, where 330 people were killed.



Reducing political pluralism
Sergei Markov, a political analyst with close ties to the Kremlin, said the president’s move against the governors could help curb corruption that has flourished in some regions.

“At the same time, it means ... a lowering of (their) general political authority and a serious lowering of political pluralism,” Markov told Ekho Moskvy radio.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5987644/