Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in an effort to forward democracy, orders his ministers to improve online public access to the government.PETROZAVODSK,
Russia (Reuters) - Modern communications technology should become a
gateway to democracy in Russia, President Dmitry Medvedev said on
Thursday, ordering his ministers to improve online public access to the
government.
"Free access to information for our citizens is one of the key
benchmarks of the democratic process," the Russian leader told a
meeting of his advisory State Council in the northwestern city of
Petrozavodsk.
"Information technology directly affects the political system,
accessibility of political institutions and thus the development of
democracy," he added.
Medvedev's predecessor, Vladimir Putin, focused his eight-year
presidency on restoring Kremlin control over Russia after a decade of
post-Soviet political turmoil.
His supporters say such policies helped sustain Russia's biggest
economic boom in a generation. Critics argue that the centralization of
power crippled democracy and deprived the economy of flexibility.
Medvedev, who took over in May, has promised to install the "rule of
law" and fight corruption, steps analysts say are needed to modernize
society and the economy.
Addressing top ministers and regional bosses on Thursday, he said
the inability of ordinary people to gain access to the government or
receive official information was a big problem.
"(Solving this problem) would naturally contribute to fighting corruption," Medvedev said.
One key aspect of the problem is that computer illiteracy is
widespread among Russian citizens and officials, according to Medvedev,
who has shown interest in communications technology.
MODERN EQUIPMENT
In recent years the government has spent billions of dollars
equipping schools, offices, hospitals and libraries with modern
computer equipment, but this has failed to replace paperwork and
bureaucratic procedures, traditional channels for corruption.
Medvedev ordered officials to revive by 2010 the "Electronic
Government" plan adopted under Putin, which would computerize the flow
of official documents and contracts, increasing the transparency of
government activities.
The stalled project also envisages broader electronic access for ordinary people to official services and information.
Medvedev warned officials that inability to acquire 21st century skills could cost them their jobs.
"An official who does not have elementary computer skills cannot
work effectively, that means he has to look for another job," Medvedev
said. "Learn or leave!"
He also lambasted the government for failing to organize nationwide computer training, a job done by foreign agencies.
"International training centers run by the U.S. Department of
State's bureau of educational and cultural programs operate in 30
cities," Medvedev said.
"There is nothing wrong about this, but generally this is not the
State Department's job at all," he added. "We are not a banana republic
which is allowed to enjoy the fruits of civilization. We have our own
resources."
(Writing by Oleg Shchedrov, editing by Tim Pearce)
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