"Space isn't just a matter of national prestige, although that is important too, space means the latest technology that is the foundation of the competitiveness of the economy and the security of our nation," Putin said Thursday at a session of the Security Council on state policy in the space industry.

"Space, without exaggeration, is the foundation for stability in the world," he said.

Putin said it would unforgivably frivolous to spoil what previous generations have built up. "Unfortunately we are moving in that direction," he said, adding that only 40% of a federal program to develop the space industry in 1996 - 2000 was completed.

Putin said that neither the civil aerospace industry nor the defense space program had anything to boast about. "Research has stopped, the technical condition of rockets and equipment and surface infrastructure in on the brink - our resources are practically exhausted," he said.

"The return of space systems in national security has decreased sharply," Putin said.

It is the military space component that raises the effectiveness of modern armed forces, he said. "Without this component it is impossible to strengthen the global strategy for stability," he said.

Putin said space technology must play a bigger role in research industries and satellite equipment should be used to provide television and radio service for the entire country.

The conditions for mutual efforts between the state and corporate structures in the aerospace industry must be defined, he said.

Putin stressed the importance of international cooperation in space, which promotes Russian technology on world markets and deepens trust between partners. The principles and objectives must be defined in forming a state policy in the space industry, he said, adding that the main task was to preserve the "security of life and the environment, prevent technological catastrophes and prevent the militarization of space.

Russia made proposals along these lines at the Millennium Summit in New York, he said.

Putin said that in order to improve the situation in the space industry Russia must concentrate its resources on what is most important, conserve effort and funds and property set its priorities.

As for the fate of the Mir space station, Putin said that glitches had become a regular occurrence at the station lately. "We have to agree with the specialists who say that we must prepare for a technology race and invest in new developments. But if the specialists chose to sink Mir, those involved in this process must make sure all technological requirements are made and avoid technical problems and environmental consequences," he said.

Concerning the principles of state policy in the space industry to 2010, Putin said that the document should work to correct the situation the country has been in for the past several years.

Putin said that in addition to financial restrictions the industry suffered from a failure to carry out presidential decrees and government orders, which resulted in an absence of "effective measures" in the industry.

The decisions to be made at the Security Council session should be mandatory for all, he said.

Copyright 2001 Interfax. All rights reserved. The material on this page is provided by Interfax and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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