Foreign cash used to meddle in Russia - Putin

MOSCOW, Apr 26 (Reuters) President Vladimir Putin today said foreign money was being used to meddle in Russia's internal affairs and called for tougher laws to fight ''extremism''.

''There is a growing influx of foreign cash used to directly meddle in our domestic affairs,'' Putin said in his annual state-of-the-nation address.

''Some people are not averse to using the dirtiest methods, trying to foment inter-ethnic and religious hatred in our multinational country.

''In this respect, I am addressing you with a request to speed up the adoption of amendments to the legislation toughening punishment for extremist actions,'' he told an audience including members of Russia's parliament.

In a clear reference to the opposition, Putin said there were internal forces in Russia which dislike its political stability and steady economic growth and wanted to steal its natural resources.

He said they were playing into the hands of foreign ''colonialists'' willing to control Russia.

''We see that even in the epoch of colonialism there was a thesis about the so-called 'civilising role' of the colonialist states,'' Putin said.

''Nowadays they make use of democratic slogans, but they pursue one single true goal -- to gain unilateral advantages ...

and protect their own interests.'' Putin is due to step down next year when his second and last four-year term ends. He is widely popular while the economy is fast-growing, propelled by revenues from booming oil exports.

The United Russia party which he patronises is expected to perform well in a parliamentary election due in December.

Police have recently violently dispersed several opposition rallies, drawing strong criticism from the West and human rights bodies.

Reuters JS VV1645