Putin to Russian women: "Have more babies!"

[BurtWorm]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/10/world/europe/10cnd-russia.html?ei=5094&en=cce9f3d78723a932&hp=&ex=1147320000&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print

May 10, 2006
Russian Leader Urges Steps to Lift Birthrate
By C. J. CHIVERS
MOSCOW, May 10 — President Vladimir V. Putin today directed the Russian Parliament to adopt a 10-year program to stop Russia's sharply declining population, principally by offering financial incentives and subsidies to encourage Russian women to have more children.

Mr. Putin's instructions, issued to a compliant Parliament that follows his orders almost without fail, formed the center of his annual address, and signaled a new Kremlin priority to confront a problem that demographers and scholars have warned endangers the long-term future of the Russian state.

Russia's population has been falling since before the collapse of the Soviet Union, trimmed by trends in emigration, rising death rates and declining rates of birth. Mr. Putin has raised the issue in the past, but never with such a clear set of instructions, or at such length in a prominent speech. "The situation is critical in that sphere," he said.

Mr. Putin also used the address to criticize the United States for what his government has routinely called double standards in American foreign policies of promoting democracy and human rights.

[JuniperLea]

1. More soldiers needed? n/t

[gatorboy]

2. The Chernobyl incident probably sterilized everyone....

[yourout]

3. All countrys need to think about population growth.

We live on a planet with finite resources. I do not know what the sustainable world population is but it's only a matter of time till we find out at the rate things are going.

[ContraBass Black]

4. This picture makes him look like the Chancellor

From V for Vendetta.

[mainegreen]

5. They have a serious problem there with declining population.

The young in Russia in twenty to thirty years time will have serious issues to deal with there.

[cliss]

9. Yes, I've read the same thing.

I think the biggest problem in Russia is pollution. It sounds like they have enormous problems with safety issues; raw sewage, untreated chemicals, industrial pollutants, poor worker safety standards, and of course Chernobyl.

The death rate from pollution is huge; absolutely unacceptable. I believe there are only 2 countries which has fewer people than in the 1800's; that's Ireland and Russia (? correct).

If Putin wants more people, he needs to have a little 'spring cleaning'.

[FloridaPat]

6. The USSR had financial incentives to have babies. The women

got 3 years paid leave. I think they also got extra funds for having a baby. Also, lots of medals for having kids. Russia is a big empty place. They also have free health care. OK, not the greatest, but still universal for all Russias which is more than we can say.

Russians also protect and educate their kids. Educations is very important. And raising healthy and well educated children is a national priority.

[Horse with no Name]

7. What was the issue a few years back

about adopting orphans from Russia?

[enigma000]

8. At this rate the only place Russian will be spoken in 2 centuries

will be Hell. I think they are losing 1/2 million people net each year. The Russian male life expectancy at birth is until 60 years. The country is having rapid depopulation.

I'm not sure if it is possible to save them from extinction.