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Reuters, UK
Feb 1 2007
Putin jokes, talks dogs and gays at news conference
Thu Feb 1, 2007 9:50 PM IST
By Maria Golovnina
MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin joked with female
reporters, cited ancient wisdom and shared his thoughts on gays as he
gave a glimpse of his lighter side at a marathon news conference on
Thursday.
Putin's annual encounter with hundreds of reporters at the Kremlin
lasted a record three and a half hours. Most of the questioning was
on weighty domestic and foreign policy issues but the Russian leader
made the auditorium explode with laughter as he cracked jokes on
softer issues.
One journalist from Armenia thanked the Kremlin leader for picking
her to ask a question. "It must be something in the air," Putin said,
smiling broadly as journalists filled the Kremlin's Round Hall with
giggles.
Another reporter invited Putin to visit her native region of Murmansk
in the Arctic to do some skiing. Putin seemed interested: "Khorosho
(Good)," he said with a smile. "Are you inviting me personally or on
behalf of Murmansk?"
Putin, who leads a country not noted for its tolerance towards gays,
was asked to comment on a recent remark by Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov
that Gay Pride parades were a "satanic act".
"My approach towards gay parades and sexual minorities is very
simple," Putin replied. "It is directly linked to my
responsibilities. One of the key problems of our country is the
demographic problem."
The auditorium exploded in laughter and applause. The Kremlin leader
quickly added: "I respect the freedom of people in all respects. What
was the other question?"
One journalist asked Putin about Russia's often edgy relations with
the West. The Kremlin leader replied gravely: "I often think about a
famous ancient piece of wisdom: If you are angry, you are wrong."
Putin, a former KGB spy who often comes across as unsmiling in
public, softened when asked about what he does when he is in a bad
mood. "I usually try to talk to my dog Koni," he said.
But the Kremlin leader was most often quizzed on his plans after
stepping down as president in 2008. At first he answered seriously
but at one point he started to look irritated.
"Why are you chucking me out so early?" he told one questioner. "I'll
leave myself. Don't rush me."
Then Putin, a dedicated judo fan, said: "In my day I wasn't a runner.
I did judo. I'm not planning to run away anywhere."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Feb 1 2007
Putin jokes, talks dogs and gays at news conference
Thu Feb 1, 2007 9:50 PM IST
By Maria Golovnina
MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin joked with female
reporters, cited ancient wisdom and shared his thoughts on gays as he
gave a glimpse of his lighter side at a marathon news conference on
Thursday.
Putin's annual encounter with hundreds of reporters at the Kremlin
lasted a record three and a half hours. Most of the questioning was
on weighty domestic and foreign policy issues but the Russian leader
made the auditorium explode with laughter as he cracked jokes on
softer issues.
One journalist from Armenia thanked the Kremlin leader for picking
her to ask a question. "It must be something in the air," Putin said,
smiling broadly as journalists filled the Kremlin's Round Hall with
giggles.
Another reporter invited Putin to visit her native region of Murmansk
in the Arctic to do some skiing. Putin seemed interested: "Khorosho
(Good)," he said with a smile. "Are you inviting me personally or on
behalf of Murmansk?"
Putin, who leads a country not noted for its tolerance towards gays,
was asked to comment on a recent remark by Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov
that Gay Pride parades were a "satanic act".
"My approach towards gay parades and sexual minorities is very
simple," Putin replied. "It is directly linked to my
responsibilities. One of the key problems of our country is the
demographic problem."
The auditorium exploded in laughter and applause. The Kremlin leader
quickly added: "I respect the freedom of people in all respects. What
was the other question?"
One journalist asked Putin about Russia's often edgy relations with
the West. The Kremlin leader replied gravely: "I often think about a
famous ancient piece of wisdom: If you are angry, you are wrong."
Putin, a former KGB spy who often comes across as unsmiling in
public, softened when asked about what he does when he is in a bad
mood. "I usually try to talk to my dog Koni," he said.
But the Kremlin leader was most often quizzed on his plans after
stepping down as president in 2008. At first he answered seriously
but at one point he started to look irritated.
"Why are you chucking me out so early?" he told one questioner. "I'll
leave myself. Don't rush me."
Then Putin, a dedicated judo fan, said: "In my day I wasn't a runner.
I did judo. I'm not planning to run away anywhere."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress