President Obama vows reforms of US surveillance programs

President Barack Obama has promised "appropriate reforms" to guarantee greater oversight of controversial US surveillance programs. Speaking at a White House Press Conference, Mr Obama proposed "safeguards against abuse", and urged appointing a lawyer to challenge the government at the nation's secretive surveillance court. He also said that the US "can and must be more transparent", telling reporters on Friday: "Given the history of abuse by governments, it's right to ask questions about surveillance, particularly as technology is reshaping every aspect of our lives", he continued: "Its not enough for me as president to have confidence in these programs. The American people need to have confidence as well". President Obama also spoke about relations with Russia, saying there had been more anti-American rhetoric since Vladimir Putin returned to the Russian presidency which "played into some of the old stereotypes about the Cold War contest", adding: "I've encouraged Mr Putin to think forward as opposed to backwards of issues, with mixed success". Speaking about Mr Putin's appearance when he is with Mr Obama in public, the US President said: "[he's] got that kind of slouch, looking like he's the bored kid in the back of the classroom", but insisted their private discussions had been constructive. On the topic of a boycott of a Sochi 2014 winter Olympic games boycott due to a law recently passed in Russia banning 'gay propaganda', Obama said he did not consider a boycott "appropiate", but said: "One of the things I'm really looking forward to is maybe some gay and lesbian athletes bringing home the medals which would, I think, go a long way in rejecting the kind of attitudes that we're seeing here", adding: "And if Russia doesn't have gay and lesbian athletes, then, It'll probably make their team weaker".