Putin warns US on more attacks

AFP ^ | 04-11-03

[Brian S]

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin today warned the US-led coalition not to attack other countries under the pretext of promoting capitalist and democratic values after having defeated Iraq's dictatorial regime.

"We are not going to export capitalist, democratic revolutions," the Russian leader told reporters as rumours in Washington allege that some elements of the US administration are mulling launching military operations against other Middle Eastern states.

"If we do, we're going to end up on a slippery slope to non-ending military conflicts. We can't let that happen," Putin said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac after holding talks with them.

Following the demise of the Iraqi regime, top US officials have issued a series of warnings to Syria, which now fears it might be next in line for a new US strike in the Middle East.

US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld on Thursday warned Damascus about giving aid to remnants of the Iraqi regime.

Rumsfeld accused Syria of helping "senior regime people out of Iraq and into Syria" and of continuing to provide Iraqi forces with equipment despite previous warnings.

And US President George W Bush asked Syria for its "total cooperation" in closing its border with neighbouring Iraq and turning over to the United States former dignitaries of Saddam Hussein's regime who may have found shelter on its territory.

Agence France-Presse

[Brian S]

"If we do, we're going to end up on a slippery slope to non-ending military conflicts. We can't let that happen,"

Interesting words from the Russia leader.

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[tomahawk]

What's he going to do about it?

He can't control Chechnya.

He and Russia are irrelevant.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

They are trying to use containment against democracy...interesting.

[jwalsh07]

Putin made a large mistake. He's now stuck with the Germans, French and bombast. The Russians have been shocked and awed just like the Arabs has.

Look for russian defense spending to double in the next 5 years if you don't believe me.

[cardinal4]

Russia has two thorns they cant control; the Mafia and Chechnya. Putin should probably take his own inventory before taking someone elses...

[cavtrooper21]

Hark, is that a squeaking weasel I hear???

[LS]

Because we might have to export capitalism and democracy to Russia . . . again. Apparently it hasn't taken very well.

[thoughtomator]

Most of the world will be increasing defense spending, at least those who don't already spend more than they have on it, either in reaction to the US victory, or in the expectation that a rival will react to the US victory.

[TLBSHOW]

Putin stfu!

[jwalsh07]

The Russians took 10,000 casualties in their assault on Chechneya, a city one fifth the size of Baghdad alone, and levelled the city. Their conscripts are no match for American warriors, their technology is three generations behind and their influence is on the wane not the rise.

I repeat, Putin had two choices and the right one was clear. He chose the other. Stupid man.

[MizSterious]

Yes, but now at least we can put to rest all the spin about our "good friends" the Russians. (I never bought it.)

[Starstruck]

Don't let your mouth write a check that your a$$ can't cash.

[cynicom]

This from a country and a man that subjugated millions for nearly 50 years.

[jwalsh07]

Yep, but that's the conundrum as evidenced by Reagan waging World War 3 with economics. The socialists can not afford it without massive turmoil in their countries. Some days things just look fine and dandy.

[Brian S]

Look for russian defense spending to double in the next 5 years if you don't believe me.

Oh, I believe you and further, you can add a couple other countries to the double, triple, etc defense spending increase.

If your industry is the sale of arms, this is the 'big one'. Definite 'sellers' market.

[cardinal4]

Putin? or Petain? The Russian Military is in deplorable shape; no training, old weapons and a pecking order or hazing system that does more damage than the lack of funding or support. His threats are just a lot of hot airski. He secretly is on our side, he just cant admit it..

[jwalsh07]

(I never bought it.)

Sad to say I did. I was encouraged by what seemed to be a sincere effort on Putin's part to embrace capitalism as evidenced by the flat tax he installed in Russia.

mea culpa, mea culpa. Once KGB, always KGB.

[Endeavor]

So, Rootin', Tootin', Putin uses the ol' "bait & switch" technique to get some attention and try to pull his gronicles out of the fire. Won't work, patootie.

[MrPeanut]

I disagree.On the fall of the Soviet Union the Russians made the best of a bad situation and infiltrated the politics of France and Germany. They then cemented relationships in the Middle East and funneled their offensive military capabilities into those countries to undermine the USA. Invading Iraq was a declaration of war by the USA-not only on Iraq- but on the countries supporting Iraq (the Soviets). Putin made this statement because he knows the Cold War is back.