Interfax news agency quoted Putin as saying he wanted to encourage the creation of large companies able not only to extract the region's mineral resources but also to develop and sell them on Russian and world markets. Interfax also quoted Putin as reiterating support for the creation of a new bank to support Russian agriculture. Putin, cleared on Tuesday by Russia's Central Election Commission to run for president on March 26, has said he will unveil his program on February 25. He has given no details yet but has said he wants to focus on reviving Russia's moral fiber. On Thursday the Central Election Commission turned down the SPS request on a legal technicality.
Russian farmland remains largely in the hands of the state.
Constitutional guarantees of land ownership apply mostly to small plots of land. Putin also expressed support for SPS demands that deputies in the State Duma lower house of parliament forgo immunity from criminal prosecution. Russian Government - in Russian. Unity Party - official page, in Russian. Copyright 2000 Reuters Limited.