Bush wary over Putin reforms
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said Wednesday he had expressed concern to Russian President Vladimir Putin about "decisions being made in Russia that could undermine democracy."
"Great countries, great democracies have a balance of power between central government and local governments," Bush said at the White House.
"As governments fight the enemies of democracy, they must uphold the principles of democracy."
Bush was responding to sweeping proposals made by Putin to give the Kremlin more power as part of an overall effort to thwart terrorists.
Under Putin's proposals, governors would no longer be elected by popular vote; instead, the president would nominate them. Russians also would no longer vote for individual members of Parliament -- rather, they would vote only for political parties. (Reforms in full)
Putin also wants to unify Russia's security services in a fashion similar to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ($5bn terror fight)
In his comments Wednesday, Bush said the United States "mourns the loss of life as a result of the terrorist attacks," most notably a school siege in Beslan that left 330 people dead, nearly half of them children.
"I told him we stand shoulder to shoulder with them in fighting terror -- that we abhor the men who kill innocent children to try to achieve a dark vision," Bush said.
"I'm also concerned about decisions that are being made in Russia that could undermine democracy in Russia."
Traveling in Slovakia, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage echoed that sentiment. And a day earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed concern over Putin's reforms.
Armitage said he hoped Russia would be "very careful and cautious and wise" in its actions, noting that Putin's proposals could hinder democratic efforts.
"It doesn't seem to be compatible with the direction of democracy, towards democracy, that we thought the Russian Federation was on," Armitage said.
"So, I hope they look carefully at what they're doing, and we're going to look carefully as well."
He added: "I think that as long as the Russian Federation goes after terrorists, legitimate terrorists, that's one thing. But I hope that some forces in the Russian Federation wouldn't use it as an excuse for other things."
Asked if Russia was using terrorism as an "excuse," Armitage said, "Not yet."
The Kremlin has not responded to Bush's comments, but it rebuffed earlier comments by administration officials on the matter.
And Russia has criticized the United States for meeting with Chechen rebels, whom Moscow blames for the recent deadly terrorist attacks.
