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Defense Spending Threatens Social Programs, Kudrin Says

Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin told a UN development forum that President Dmitry Medvedev's plan for increased defense spending is their main disagreement, Interfax reported

Speaking at the MDG-6 Eastern Europe and Central Asia Forum in Moscow on Monday, Kudrin said that the spending would come at the expense of health and education programs.

Kudrin was fired last month after a public spat with Medvedev that began when he said he wouldn't work under Medvedev should the president become prime minister after March elections.

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