Ever eager to help, the Ruminator is branching out in to translation services. His first non-literal translation, is provided below and is from IB to english via an unknown meta language (that last bit was for next gen machine translation geeks – of whom the Ruminator is surprisingly one)
Six-year presidential term – the biggest surprise: Unlike previous presidential speeches, Mr. Medvedev’s first address was focused not on describing problems, but on making concrete proposals. One surprise was the proposal of a six-year presidential and five-year parliamentary term, justified by the huge reform agenda to be implemented. We also think that extending the presidential term will be a good way to stabilize the political situation by 2010-2012, when economic growth may slow considerably.
Translation – given the extended period of the coming economic slowdown and the fact that we can blame it on no one but ourselves we will delay asking the voters their opinion until things are a bit rosier.
Hey – that’s a good translation. Although truly as you know the state does not give a damn about what voters really think – and voters know it all too well. “Election irregulatiries” will cover any unlikely dissent if it comes to the worst.
That is indeed a good translation. You only forgot to mention that Mr. Putin and not Mr. Medvedev is responsible for these words.