Putin says will prevent foreign meddling

Russia's President Vladimir Putin enters the hall in Moscow's Kremlin to meet foreign ambassadors, November 28, 2007.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin, who steps down next year, said on Wednesday he would not allow foreign powers to upset Russia's stability in the wake of two crucial polls, which will decide the country's future.

Anti-Western rhetoric has been a visible part of Putin's campaign ahead of December 2 parliamentary polls, in which he leads the United Russia party. Analysts expect a similar pattern in March 2 presidential polls to elect Putin's successor.

"We have done everything to safeguard Russia from internal disturbances and to put it firmly on the track of evolutionary development," Putin told diplomats and senior officials in a speech in the Kremlin.

"And I am forced to repeat myself -- we will not allow this process to be changed from outside," he said.

Allies credit Putin for presiding over an economic boom and for consolidating Russia. Critics say this has been done at the expense of democracy.

Putin is not allowed by Russia's constitution to run for a third term, but has said he wanted to maintain political influence after his departure to ensure his legacy survives.

His opponents blame the Kremlin for intimidating opposition figures ahead of the polls so United Russia can dominate the next parliament and a hand-picked ally takes over the Kremlin.

Putin rejected these suggestions.

"Our political course is clear and invariable," he said. "We follow the path of democratic development."

"We know the value of true democracy and want to conduct elections that are honest, as transparent as possible and open," said Putin. "We are sure this is the way these elections will be."

RHETORIC

Analysts say Putin, Russia's most popular politician, faces almost no risk in the transition of power.

But his prominent role in the polls and zero-tolerance of opponents will overshadow their outcome in foreign eyes.

Putin, a former KGB officer, has characterized Western fears as an attempt to impose alien standards and weaken Russia.

Last week, Putin accused his liberal opponents of being instruments of Western interference. Police have dispersed opposition rallies in Moscow and St Petersburg and arrested dozens of activists.

On Monday, Putin told the West not to poke their "snotty noses" in Russia. He blamed Washington for encouraging the election monitoring arm of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe not to send observers to the December 2 polls.

The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has said its decision was a reaction to obstructions by the Russian authorities.

Putin's harsh election rhetoric reflected growing foreign policy rifts between the West and Russia, which seeks to develop an assertive, independent role in international relations.

In a keynote speech earlier this year, Putin accused the United States of seeking to dictate its will to the world.

Russia opposes U.S. plans to deploy elements of its missile defence system in Europe, tackle Iran's nuclear program and accept independence for Serbia's breakaway province of Kosovo.

On Wednesday, Putin made clear this course will not change.

"A moment of truth is coming in global politics. We need to give up the policy of dictatorship and deterrent," he said.

"We will move nowhere until we agree on new, clear and mutually acceptable rules for cooperation in international affairs."

(Editing by Peter Millership)