Vladimir Putin slams Hillary, and 'nose-picking' critics

By M&C People Feb 15, 2008, 19:36 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds his annual press conference in Kremlin 14 February 2008. Vladimir Putin confirmed that he is ready to work as a prime minister if Dmitry Medvedev will win the presidential elections 02 March. EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV

In President Vladimir Putin's valedictory press conference, he claimed credit for Russia's rise from the ashes, blamed the West for reviving Cold War fears and pledged that after he leaves the presidency in May he will pour his energy into the role of Russia's prime minister.

The New York Times reports that Putin "basked in the praise" and seemed to "revel in the criticism," which he responded to with a "mix of long, unapologetic answers and occasional insults."

When asked about the decision of the principal international election monitors not to send missions to observe the presidential elections, Putin was dismissive.

The monitors have routinely found that elections in post-Soviet autocracies, including Russia, have been rigged.  The monitors also claim that Russia has unilaterally imposed conditions that make it impossible to assess the current campaign and election fully.

Putin retorted that the organization "needed to be overhauled", and suggested that the monitors true intentions were "to teach Russia how to become democratic."

“Let them teach their wives to make shchi,” he said. Shchi is cabbage soup.

Putin also had a gem stored up for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who said that as a former K.G.B. officer, Putin “has no soul.”

“As a minimum, a state official must at least have a head,” he said.

Putin also showed his annoyance when asked about reports in Western newspapers that he had used his office to accumulate a vast personal fortune.

Such “rumors,” Putin said, “they picked from a nose and smeared onto their papers.”