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Russian Leader Says U.S. Makes Planet Poorer

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The New York Times

Published: June 8, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - In his first major economic speech since becoming president, Dmitri A. Medvedev said Saturday that the world might be in the throes of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and that a newly revived Russia could offer solutions to a systemic crisis that underscored the United States' economic shortcomings.

He accused the United States of "economic egotism" that fueled global troubles, and portrayed Russia's growing economic might as a force for worldwide stabilization.
Recklessness by big banks and "the aggressive financial policies of the biggest economy in the world" have not just hurt corporations, Medvedev said. "Unfortunately, most people on the planet have become poorer."
Medvedev spoke at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Although Medvedev had not shown much of his predecessor Vladimir Putin's penchant for criticizing the United States, his speech showed he shares Putin's views of America as a sometimes irresponsible country intent on dominating world affairs.

A panel of officials, experts and entrepreneurs responded to Medvedev's words in a session immediately afterward.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, who addressed the gathering as part of the panel, said the "idea that growth means taking away from others" reminds him of his birthplace, Cuba, a remark that would resonate with a Russian audience.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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