MOSCOW, Jan. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Russia on Wednesday rejected US criticism on its democratic situation, saying the issue is Russia's "internal affair."

    "The domestic political situation is an internal affair of Russia," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference Wednesday, brushing aside a statement by the newly-designated US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday.

    Rice said the United States was concerned about Russia's democratic situation and would press Moscow to protect democracy which is "vital to the future of US-Russian relations."

    Lavrov said in response that US assessments "don't always go inline with Russia's positions," the Itar-Tass news agency reported.     

    He assured those concerned that Russia's reforms are being implemented in accordance with the constitution and the principle of federalism to help strengthen the country, the Interfax news agency reported.

    The foreign minister described Russian-US relations as "friendly, normal and warm" and said the relations are based on "mutually respectful relations between the two leaders," Interfax said.

    "The United States is unlikely to alter that course," Lavrov said.

    The minister disagreed with the assertion that the Russian public regards the United States as an enemy. "Even in the most dramatic Cold War years, we did not consider the US as an enemy," he said. Enditem