Putin says will not orchestrate succession

MOSCOW, Feb 1 (Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin said today he had no plans to nominate a successor to replace him as president after he steps down in 2008.

''There will be no successor. There will be candidates to the presidential post,'' Putin said during his annual news conference. ''The authorities' goal is to ensure the elections are held democratically.'' ''I, too, am a citizen of the Russian Federation, which I am very proud of, and of course have the right to express my preferences but I will only do it during the election campaign.'' REUTERS AKJ HT1555