Putin to address Russians ahead of vote

RUSSIA, Russian President Vladimir Putin was to address the nation Thursday on the eve of parliamentary elections, while fierce critic and former chess champion Garry Kasparov was set to be freed from jail.

The Kremlin refused to give a time for Putin's televised speech, whose contents were also kept secret. "Watch the television today," Kremlin spokesman Alexander Smirnov told AFP. Putin pre-recorded the address at the state television studios, the Kremlin said.

Russian political observers speculated that Putin, 55, could simply urge voters to back his United Russia party in Sunday's election, while others predicted he would resolve the mystery over his future and how Russia will be ruled from next year.

Putin is not allowed by the constitution to seek a third consecutive term in March 2 presidential polls. However, he says he intends to retain a major role, prompting speculation that he might hang on to power, or at least retain influence through a handpicked successor.

"We are used to sensations from the president: it's possible he will announce the name of his successor, or explain the configuration of power after he leaves, or even announce his resignation," the NEWSru.com website said.

Controversy over the fairness of Sunday's polls was growing amid what Kremlin opponents describe as a crackdown aimed at ensuring a landslide for United Russia.

Kasparov, the chess legend turned bitter Putin opponent, was to be released after being jailed for five days for public disorder during a banned protest march in Moscow on Saturday.

President George W. Bush said he was "deeply concerned" at the breakup of the rallies in Moscow and elsewhere in the country over the weekend. EU countries and Amnesty International also criticised the Kremlin.

Moscow, Thursday, AFP