Russia's Putin Shuns Spy Conspiracy Talk

President Vladimir Putin, left, and Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov seen during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007. (AP Photo/ITAR-TASS, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service) (Dmitry Astakhov - AP)

Putin stressed that only investigators and courts could determine who was responsible for the slayings, and indicated that he did not subscribe to theories linking the two. "I don't very much believe in the conspiracy theory, and honestly speaking, it doesn't bother me very much," he said.

The president said Russian authorities would have no reason to kill Litvinenko, portraying him as a small fry who had no access to secrets during his service.

Always one of Russia's main media events, this year's news conference set new records for its length _ 3 hours, 32 minutes, six minutes longer than last year _ and the number of journalists accredited: 1,232.

Putin fielded an array of questions touching on topics ranging from steps to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program to water levels in a particular Russian reservoir. Asked what he does to brighten up a bad mood, he said he talks to his dog, Connie, who "gives good advice" or reads Omar Khayyam poems from a book his wife, Lyudmila, gave him.

"I recommend it," he told reporters.

One point of the annual exercise _ most of which is televised live _ is to demonstrate Putin's command of detailed issues, to showcase his role as the leader of a resurgent country and to portray him as a regular guy.

He cracked an occasional joke and flirted with some female reporters, including a young woman from Murmansk who invited him to her northern city. He asked her name in a meaningful tone, and wondered aloud whether the invitation was personal.

Putin won laughter from supportive, sometimes fawning Russian reporters when he suggested that while he respects the choices made by gays, they aren't helping reverse Russia's population decline.

He hailed Russia's economic growth but added that maintaining the pace and bridging the yawning gap between rich and poor will be a key task for his successor after his second term expires next year.

Despite being pestered repeatedly, he refused to say who that successor might be.

With the March 2008 election drawing closer, the Kremlin is widely believed to be grooming two of Putin's proteges as possible successors: First Deputy Prime Minster Dmitry Medvedev and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.

Open support from the highly popular Putin for either man would virtually ensure his election. But Putin did not anoint anyone Thursday.

"There will not be a successor, there will be candidates for the presidency," Putin said, adding that the government must ensure a democratic campaign.

"I reserve the right to express my preference," he said, but added that he would not do so until closer to the vote.

He said, as he has in the past, that he opposed changing the constitution to let him stay in power after 2008, responding to a question about his plans by saying: "Why are you shoving me out ahead of time; I'll leave on my own."