A top russian official has rejected U.S. criticism of sweeping political changes proposed by President Vladimir Putin, saying such actions are part of Russia's fight against terrorism, and are strictly Moscow's business. Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said today Washington has no right to impose its own model of democracy on anyobe else.
A World Bank official says a proposed hydroelectric project in Laos could be of tremendous benefit to people in the Souteast Asian country. The official said the World Bank is aware that the Nam Theun 2 dam project is controversial, But he said if proceeds from the project are used to improve education and health in Laos, it could benefit many people in the poverty-stricken country.
Chinese President Hu Jintao says his country will never enact a Western-style democratic system. Mr. Hu told a gathering marking the 50th anniversary of China's National People's Congress or parliament that copying the West would be, in his words, a "blind alley" for China. He said China's existing political systme works.
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