'I am a pure, absolute democrat after Gandhi'

Moscow, June 5: Russian President Vladimir Putin has described himself as a ''pure democrat'', drawing a parallel with Mahatma Gandhi, and criticised the US and Europe over their failure to stand by their ideals.

''Of course I am an absolute, pure democrat, but the problem and real tragedy is that after the death of Mahatma Gandhi, there is no one in the world to talk to,'' Mr Putin said in an interview to the journalists from G-8 countries, brushing aside all the criticisms from the Western countries on his records of democracy and press freedom in Russia.

''Let's see what happens in North America - sheer horror, torture, the homeless, Guantanamo, keeping people in custody without trial or investigation," he said on the eve of the summit of G-8, in Germany, this week.

"See what is going on in Europe, harsh treatment of the demonstrators, the use of rubber bullets, tear gas in one capital or another, the killing of demonstrators in the streets," he pointed out.

UNI