WRAP Reax as Putin named Time person of the year, Kasyanov, ADDS Putin spokesman

(19 Dec 2007) SHOTLIST
AP Television
Moscow, Russia - 19 December 2007
1. Wide shot office building, camera tilt down
2. Set up shot Mikhail Kasyanov, former prime minister of Russia, now an opposition leader
3. Mid shot desk
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mikhail Kasyanov, former Russian Prime Minister:
"I think I will have no objections as soon as President Putin arranges free and fair elections and demonstrate to the whole world that despite many mistakes he made, he finally realised and recognised his historical position in our country and in the history of our country, and would allow the constitution to be implemented to work in this manner. But if not, it absolutely has nothing to do with the Man of the Year."
5. Wide shot of street
6. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Vox Pop, local resident, no name given:
"It's a good choice. Putin has always been a good man. When he started being a leader at this job, things have substantially improved. I think in future it will get even better."
7. Wide shot street vendor and customers
8. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Vox Pop, local resident, no name given:
"Well we regret it very much. I think there are more significant personalities than Putin."
(Question: Why?)
"Because he only says what is needed, but does nothing."
9. Wide shot of street
AP Television
New York, US - December 19, 2007
10. Tight shot of Putin on front cover of Time Magazine
AP Television
Moscow, Russia - December 19, 2007
11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson:
"We treat it as actually an acknowledgement of what was done by President Putin in Russia for Russian people during two terms of his presidency, during the last eight years, that was a tremendous success in getting Russia back from a period of economic and social problems of the 90's to a period that we're living through now-a-days, when the standards of living is getting better and better."
AP Television
New York, US - December 19, 2007
12. Tight shot of Time Magazine cover
AP Television
Moscow, Russia - December 19, 2007
13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson:
"I would strongly disagree with the thesis that all the achievements are for the price of liberty in this country. Russia is a free democratic country sharing all the world values."
FILE: AP Television
Moscow, Russia - 21 November 2007
14. Close up Putin supporter waving flag tilt up to flags
15. Putin arriving on stage
16. Wide of Putin on stage
17. Mid of Putin giving speech
STORYLINE
US current affairs magazine 'Time' on Wednesday announced Russian President Vladimir Putin as its 2007 "Person of the Year."
The decision was made in favour of the Russian leader because of Putin's efforts in re-establishing Russia's position on the global stage.
Putin, 55, is hugely popular in Russia, presiding over a resurgent economy flush with revenue from oil and natural gas.
"It's a good choice. Putin has always been a good man. When he started being a leader at this job, things have substantially improved. I think in future it will get even better," one man told AP Television in Moscow on Wednesday.
Although others were not so welcoming of the news.
"Well we regret it very much. I think there are more significant personalities than Putin," another man said.
Whilst a former Russian prime ministers said on Wednesday that he would "no objections as soon as President Putin arranges free and fair elections."
Time journalists flew to Moscow and interviewed Putin on Wednesday, to coincide with their award of "Person of the Year."
A charge Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov denied on Wednesday.

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