RUSSIA: Russian president Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed his intent to leave the presidency in 2008 at the end of his second term, as required by the constitution, but suggested that he might continue to wield influence.
Mr Putin's comment on Wednesday was taken by some as an indication that he might seek to exercise power from another position, such as prime minister, or that he sees a role such as that played by Deng Xiaoping after the late Chinese leader retired from his official positions.
Mr Putin's statement came during a live nationally televised session during which he took questions from more than 50 citizens delivered by telephone, video feed, internet and text messaging. The annual event has become a key means for Mr Putin to project an image as a responsive leader.
"Although I like my job, the constitution denies me the right to run for a third term in succession," Mr Putin said. "But even when I no longer have governing power and the levers of presidential rule, I think that without adjusting the fundamental law to my personal interests, I will be able to keep the most important thing that anyone engaged in politics should cherish: that is, your trust.
"And using that, together we will be able to influence life in our country so as to guarantee its progress and exert influence on what is happening in Russia."
Liliya Shevtsova, an analyst at the Carnegie Moscow Centre, said she interpreted Mr Putin's remarks as an indication that he was "seriously pondering" an attempt to move into a kind of unofficial paramount leader role.
Mr Putin also defended a rapid increase in Russian military spending and implicitly criticised US handling of the nuclear negotiations with North Korea.