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Kudrin's statement is just pretext for his resignation - speaker

The administration of the Finance Ministry failed to create conditions for timely and regular disbursement of budget funds. Starting a financial year late became routine

MOSCOW, September 27 (Itar-Tass) — Speaker of the State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament Boris Gryzlov said the statements by (former Finance Minister) Alexei Kudrin were just a pretext for his resignation.

"His statements were the pretext for the resignation of Alexei Kudrin, which were simply incompatible with the post of finance minister, especially on the eve of submitting a budget to the State Duma," Gryzlov told reporters on Tuesday.

"The reasons are certainly much deeper. I believe it would have happened sooner or later, because the interest of the country’s development require a more active and flexible financial policy.

"The administration of the Finance Ministry failed to create conditions for timely and regular disbursement of budget funds. Starting a financial year late became routine," Gryzlov said.

On September 26, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree relieving Kudrin of his duties, after the latter stated that he had disagreements with the head of state.