Medvedev blames US for global financial meltdown

Moscow, Nov 5 (UNI) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today blamed the US for the global financial crisis, linking it to the South Ossetian conflict provoked by the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

''A barbaric aggression against South Ossetia and the global financial crisis -- two very different problems which nevertheless have common traits and a common origin, if it could be said so,'' Mr Medvedev said, in his maiden address at the Federal Assembly, the joint session of the two houses of Russian Parliament, in the Kremlin's St George's Hall.

''A local reckless enterprise provoked a rise of tensions far behind the region's borders, in the whole of Europe, in the whole world. It called into question the efficiency of international security institutions and practically destabilised the basics of the world order,'' he said.

He added the global financial crisis also started as a local emergency situation in the US, but being closely linked with all developed countries, ''the US economy has pulled down other world markets.'' ''And this crisis has also become a global one,'' he noted.

''The lessons of mistakes and crises of 2008 proved to all the responsible nations that it is the time to act, and it is necessary to radically reform the political and economic system,'' Mr Medvedev said.

He said Russia was ready to collaborate with the US, EU and BRIC countries to make this happen, and also to make the world a fairer and safer place.

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