NOVEMBER 11, 2001
Putin launches against organized crime in Russia
Vladimir Putin, the president of the Russian federation, has called on all Russia's citizens to help the police combat organized crime.
President Putin, talking to a police audience, said that the most important aspect of policing was that the policemen must have high moral standards.
"We will not solve the problem unless we live up to these high standards," he said.
Putin is keen to improve Russia's international image by driving out organized crime. Part of this policy is the idea of holding a Grand Prix in Moscow to show the world that Russia is a safe place to do business.