[originaltext] British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been holding talks with

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been holding talks with President Putin of Russia at his country home outside Moscow as the start of a diplomatic mission to raise support for Mr. Blair’s plans to tackle poverty in Africa and global climate change. Mr. Blair’s trip to Russia and several other European countries is part of preparations for the G8 summit in Britain next month.
   Speaking shortly after the meeting ended the Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia supported the idea of writing off the debts of African countries but this must be done in conjunction with democratic processes and control over the flows of funding to these countries.
   President Putin spoke through an interpreter,
   "As far as Africa is concerned, we discussed this matter today with the Prime Minister we discussed the issue of financial assistance and the write-off of debt. And we believe that these processes should be carried out in parallel with democratic with the development of democracy in these states and the enhancement of proper institutions."