Monday, May 9 2005 10:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Calling Iraq war a serious mistake, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that a US withdrawal from the country before it stabilises would be a second mistake.

"Democracy cannot be exported to some other places. This must be a product of internal domestic development in a society," Putin said in an interview on CBS' news programme '60 minutes'.

Rejecting suggestions that he was rescinding Russian democracy by measures such as ending direct election of Governors, Putin made a reference to the Indian system of Central Government appointing State Governors, saying it was not sign of lack of democracy in Russia.

"The principle of appointing regional leaders is not a sign of a lack of democracy. For instance, India is called the largest world democracy. But their Governors have always been appointed by the Central Government and nobody disputes that India is not a democracy." The Russian leader also pointed to what he believes are drawbacks to America's own brand of democracy, including the Electoral College system.

"In the United States, you first elect the electors and then they vote for the Presidential candidates. In Russia, the President is elected through the direct vote of the whole population. That might be even more democratic," Putin said.

Putin also said that, despite differences of views with US President George W Bush, he regards him as a "reliable person who does what he says he will do".