MOSCOW: A group of leading academics has appealed to US President George W. Bush to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to change his "authoritarian course".

"Your upcoming summit with President Vladimir Putin of Russia is an important opportunity to reinforce your stated commitment to promoting democratic freedoms and human rights around the world," said the letter written by about 60 scholars and activists, mostly from Russia, the United States and Britain.

"As part of that policy, we urge you and the United States to publicly challenge President Putin's authoritarian course," the letter said. "We urge you to make human rights, democratic practices, and the rule of law essential elements of the dialogue with Moscow and a precondition for the deepening of bilateral ties."

The letter asks President Bush to take serious note of the need within Russia to restore political pluralism, end state regulation and harassment of non-governmental organizations, creation of an independent media open to the views of opposition political forces and civil groups, promotion of the rule of law and basic human rights, and a redefinition of Russia's policy in Chechnya.

The two presidents are due to meet in Slovak capital Bratislava Thursday this week. The academics' appeal follows strong concerns expressed by Russian human rights activists.

"Russia's dramatic backsliding with regard to democracy and the rule of law raise critical concern both inside and outside Russia," Lilia Shevtsova of the Carnegie Moscow Centre told IPS.

"There is public criticism about Putin's authoritarian course, political freedom, media restrictions and human rights," Shevtsova said. "The international community has questioned Russia's democratic ideals, and the political authorities must demonstrate their commitment to implementing practical democracy by accepting criticism."

But going by indications from Russian officials, Putin is expected to stand his ground. Foreign ministry spokesman Akexander Yakovenko told IPS that US-Russia relations are good, but are damaged sometimes by pressure on the US government to take a tougher line against Moscow.

"There is generally positive dynanism that was characterized both countries' relations," he said. "But it is no secret that there are forces demanding that the administration change its policy on Russia, provoking it to engage in harsher polemics about democracy and human rights."

The Russian foreign ministry said in a press release last week that Europe must stop monitoring Russia. It said the country had already met all requirements for judicial and legislative reforms.

"The realities of the modern world, which is a global and endlessly diverse system, rule out any monopoly, whether it is issues of democracy or international relations," Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a commentary published on Monday in the widely circulated government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta.

"Attempts to make CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, ex-Soviet Union) make a false choice between the West and Russia are unnatural, dangerous and irresponsible."

Lavrov said Russia is fed up being lectured to by the West on democracy. "We're ready to discuss any issues with the US side, not just to give concrete answers but also to ask significant questions," he said.

"Democracy is not a potato that you can plant from one kitchen garden to another. I believe that in recent years democracy in Russia has been developing normally." -Dawn/The Inter Press News Service.