MUNICH, Germany, Feb 13 (AFP) - Russia is concerned about the activity on its territory of US government-financed programs ostensibly aimed at promoting democracy and civil society, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said here Sunday.
Asked if he saw a problem with US support for such programs in light of a popular "orange revolution" late last year in Ukraine that was encouraged by US-funded groups, Ivanov stated: "Yes, I do."
"The notion of 'democracy' is not exactly one of a potato that can be transplanted from one field to another," Ivanov said at a news conference on the sidelines of the Munich security conference.
Contrary to a picture of democratic roll-back in Russia painted by some Western media and governments, democracy "has been developing well" in Russia albeit in a way that takes account of the country's recent history and immediate priorities, he said.
"If you look at Russian newspapers, you will see that most of them are critical of the Russian government," Ivanov said.
Ivanov said Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President George Bush would discuss later this month "in a frank and open manner" Moscow's questions about Washington's intentions in relations with Russia during Bush's second term.
"We are prepared to stay the course" of democracy, Ivanov said. "But we would like to remain masters of our own house at home."
The Russian leadership, which backed the pro-Russian candidate in Ukraine's presidential elections last autumn, was traumatized by the subsequent victory of pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko.
Many Russians say US government funds and private financing from US groups and individuals played a decisive role in the outcome of the Ukraine election. Washington has said that it did not back any candidate but merely sought to support a Western-style democratic process there.
In an interview published Friday in a Russian newspaper, the new US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States intended to support development of civil society and democracy in Russia through non-governmental organizations.
02/13/2005 10:55 GMT - AFP