Putin starts second term vowing to help poor

Saturday, May 8, 2004

MOSCOW -- With a 30-gun salute echoing through the Grand Kremlin Palace, President Vladimir Putin began his second term Friday by vowing to help Russia's many poor and protect its "legitimate interests in the rapidly changing world." Putin directed most of his brief inaugural speech to his countrymen -- saying his top priority would be improving their living standards -- but he also touched on Russia's changing international role during a speech to the audience of 1,700 invited guests in the gilded Andreyevsky Hall. Russia has forged closer ties with the European Union, and is pushing for membership in the World Trade Organization.

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