Putin speaks out on election protests

MOSCOW, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ridiculed election protesters Thursday in a televised call-in show but said dissent is a normal part of government

In his first public comments about the massive protest by some 50,000 demonstrators in Moscow last weekend, Putin said it was normal for losing parties to be upset with election results, The Moscow Times reported.

"That is what the opposition lives for. It fights for power and is looking for any possibility to force out the [ruling] powers," he said.

Putin said the public display of dissent was a good thing. "If that is the outcome of the Putin regime, I am pleased," he said. He ridiculed protesters, however, alleging students were paid to participate and then herded like cattle.

"To allow yourself to be humiliated like that is unacceptable," he said.

Opposition activists have often accused Putin's United Russia Party of paying students to attend pro-Kremlin rallies, the newspaper said.

Putin said protesters should not try to force a regime change like in Ukraine in 2004 and accused Russian opposition activists of being trained under former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.