Andrey Illarionov, one of the presidential aides, has handed in his resignation. The economic advisor, who has always been outspoken in his assessment of the reforms, says Russia has ceased to be a democratic state.
      
      "It is one thing to work in a country that is partly free as Russia was six years ago. It is another thing when the country has stopped being politically free," Mr Illarionov told reporters in Moscow.
      
      He used to be Russia’s representative in the G8 group of industrialized countries but stepped down as sherpa due to the same reason. He was also against ratification of the Kyoto protocol by Russia.
      
      Among the economic reasons for the resignation he mentioned changes in the economic policy as well as modifications in the economic model itself. A year ago, he condemned the Russian authorities attack on the giant Yukos as the swindle of the year. A second of the big swindles was the sale of Yuganskneftegaz, chief Yukos’ operating unit to a state-run company. Almost the same happened to Sibneft, previously run by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
      
      As a result, said Mr. Illarionov, Russia turned into a country run by state corporations acting in their own interests. There is no opportunity now for economic freedom. "I did not sign a contract with such a state”, he said.
      To complete the abovementioned takeovers the monopolies have secured some $20bn in international loans, which undermines Russia’s intention to rid itself of international debts.
      Russia is also implementing the policy of the big gas stick in its dispute with Ukraine, which is unacceptable for him.
      
      Russia’s political has been reshaped, too, said the aide whose remarks were seen by some experts as potentially embarrassing for the president. He slammed the government for the botched effort of doubling the GDP and zeroing in on the key national projects rather than taking care of the overall economic growth.
      
      He compared 2004 with 1929 when Stalin put a lid on the new economic policy and announced the great turning point in the history.
      
      Georgy Satarov, head of the INDEM Endowment, believes Andrey was fed up with playing the part of a symbol of liberalism in the administration. Mr. Illarionov was a kind of an asset in the administration.
      
      Many, like Leonid Nevzlin, Yukos’ co-owner, think he should have done it long ago. Mr Nevzlin has publicly called on Mr. Illarionov to make this decent decision in October.
      
      As to the future plans, Mr Illarionov intends to stay in Russia, but keep away from politics. He says he will not consider any official post in the near future and feels confident he will find a job in Russia.
      
      
      
      Brief Biography
      
      September 16, 1961 Andrey Illarionov is born in Leningrad.
      
      In 1987, he graduates from the Leningrad State University with a PhD in economics.
      
      In 1993-1994 he leads the economic think-tank working under Viktor Chernomyrdin, notorious Russian prime-minister backed by Boris Yeltsin. He still believes Gaidar’s controversial reforms helped the country survive and avoid any famines in big cities, although is agrees they were not quite consistent.
      
      Since 1994 he heads the Institute for Economic Analysis.
      In July 1998, he is appointed member of the economic reform commission in the RF government.
      In 2000, he is promoted to the post of the presidential aide in economic issues.
      In 2000 -2005 represents the Russian president on the world arena working with the leaders of the major industrialised countries and G7, heading the intergovernmental committee to help Russia join G8
      
      In 2002, he is appointed member of the National Banking Council of the administration.
      
      On December 27, 2005 he steps down from the post of the presidential economic advisor.
      
      
      SOURCE:
      www.newsru.com
      http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4562718.stm