Kasparov urges caution over Putin's Russia

TORONTO, June 19 (Reuters) Garry Kasparov, the former world chess champion who has become a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, says he fears for his safety but vows to continue pushing for democracy in the country.

In a speech to the Empire Club of Canada in Toronto, Kasparov today said he must overcome those fears to continue his opposition work as leader of the United Civil Front, a social movement that is part of an opposition coalition called Other Russia.

''I'm a human being,'' said Kasparov. ''I have my own fears for myself -- for my physical safety -- for loved ones,'' he said.

''As one of the leaders of Russian opposition I cannot separate myself from the risks that are carried by anybody in Russia who is fighting and opposing Putin's regime.'' Other Russia, led by Kasparov, is a coalition of small groups ranging from liberals to communists who oppose Putin and say the president is destroying Russia's fledgling democracy.

''Russia today is a police state masquerading as a democracy -- a mask worn for the international community,'' he said.

''We ask that the leaders of the free world stop providing Putin with democratic credentials. We ask for an end of hypocrisy.'' Putin is scheduled to step down in 2008 after two terms as president.

Earlier in June, Kasparov blasted US President George W Bush and Group of Eight leaders for giving Putin a platform to present himself as a leader of the free world.

Kasparov had singled out Bush for failing to press Putin hard enough on democratic backsliding and for the US president's public show of friendship with Putin.

The West should continue to do business with Russia, but with the same political caution it does with China.

''Canada and the United States and Europe are doing a lot of business with China but nobody is rushing to call Chinese leaders democrats,'' Kasparov said.

He added that Other Russia would work to implement political reform, reduce the power of the presidential office, restore institutions such as the judiciary and police, as well as give back power to the regions.

REUTERS KN SBA BST0212