MOSCOW, Sept 24: President Vladimir Putin vowed on Friday that Russia would not stray from the path of democracy and free markets but told critics of his anti-terror security crackdown he put equal stock in domestic stability.

"Russia made its choice 10 years ago for a democratic, free market, socially oriented state," Putin said in an address to a conference of international news agency executives here.

"There will be no turnabout," he said. But in a head-on response to Western governments that have questioned his proposals for fighting terrorism by strengthening Kremlin political control over the country, Putin said security was as important as democracy.

"For Russia, democracy and stability are of equal importance. We are managing to build a system under which Russia will have democracy and stability." Putin's address came a day after he spoke by telephone with US President George Bush who, according to the White House, stressed the need to preserve democratic institutions while fighting terrorism at the same time.

The European Union has also questioned Putin's anti-terror proposals, which include replacing popular election of regional governors with the Kremlin appointing them and changes to the way state lawmakers are elected.

The Russian leader countered however that his proposal for making regional governors accountable to the Kremlin was an "optimal" solution for Russia and was a system like that already used in other countries which he did not name.

Putin sought to explain his plans to counter terrorism and bolster security in Russia with an anecdote suggesting that he had no choice at present but to other than to institute tough new security reforms.

"If a robber comes up to you on the street and demands your wallet or your life ... you of course give him your wallet. "But what do you do if he demands either your heart or your head? Do you have a choice or not? He does not give you such a choice." -AFP