Posted on 12/03/2004 9:24:30 AM PST by Jimmyclyde
Russia's Putin Calls U.S. Policy 'Dictatorial'
By Douglas Busvine
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) accused the United States on Friday of pursuing a dictatorial foreign policy and said mounting violence could derail progress toward bringing peace and democracy to Iraq (news - web sites).
Putin also criticized the West for setting double-standards on terrorism, pursuing Islamic fundamentalists in Afghanistan (news - web sites) and Iraq while giving refuge to "terrorists" demanding Chechnya (news - web sites)'s independence from Russia.
The Kremlin leader's tough remarks came on a visit to former Cold War ally India, where he and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued a joint call for greater cooperation in stabilizing and rebuilding Iraq.
Unilateralism increased risks that weapons of mass destruction might fall into the hands of terrorists, and would stoke regional conflicts, Putin said in a hard-hitting speech to an invited audience.
"Even if dictatorship is packaged in beautiful pseudo-democratic phraseology, it will not be able to solve systemic problems," Putin said. "It may even make them worse."
Putin did not name the United States, but clearly had the administration of President Bush (news - web sites) in mind when he said policies "based on the barrack-room principles of a unipolar world appear to be extremely dangerous."
Russia was a vocal opponent of the U.S.-led war to oust Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), but has since joined efforts to rebuild Iraq's war-hit infrastructure. Moscow's assent was key to a recent Paris Club deal to write off most of Iraq's foreign debts.
MOUNTING VIOLENCE
Putin said he was worried by mounting violence and loss of life linked to operations by U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq, and said these may disrupt plans to hold elections now scheduled for Jan. 30, 2005.
Again the Russian leader was not specific, but he appeared to be referring to the U.S. operation to crush die-hard insurgents in the Iraqi city of Falluja.
"This may put a question mark over holding of fair and democratic elections in Iraq early next year," he said.
Putin's speech echoed comments he made earlier to an Indian newspaper in which he said the war had turned Iraq into a breeding ground for terrorists.
"As had been the case with Afghanistan, Iraq turned into a major hotbed of a terrorist threat, a firing ground and incubator for militants," he told the Hindu newspaper.
He rounded on Britain for giving asylum to Akhmed Zakayev and the United States for giving refuge to Ilyas Akhmadov, spokesmen for Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov.
"Providing safe haven and support to terrorists, their accomplices and sponsors actually serves as a justification and, indeed, an encouragement of their crimes," Putin said.
Both men deny being terrorists. Maskhadov, regarded in the West as a moderate, led Chechnya to brief de facto independence during the 1990s before Putin ordered Russian troops to retake the turbulent North Caucasus province.
Putin, who backed India's bid for a United Nations (news - web sites) Security Council seat, said he had found in India a strong ally against terrorism.
"Terrorists benefit from the conflict of civilizations and religions," he told the hand-picked New Delhi audience. "Let it be known that our multi-confessional and multi-ethnic states will not be broken up."
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Russia knows dictatorial.....
So? What next, Mr Putin?
That's EXACTLY what I was thinking. Putin's just accusing us of what he's doing himself if he has the chance (which he often does). Not unlike the Dems.
Sounds like he might be pre-empting as oil for food heats up.
And HE is talking about the US being dictatorial? Hah. Pot calling kettle black again. These Russians...
So then why is he helping Iran, the number one terrorist country get nuclear capability?
Someone's unhappy with Ukraine's Supreme Court ruling today.
It takes one to know one, right, Putin?
The balls on this guy...
BTW...What's the difference between Putin and Stalin?
Stalin had a mustache.
ROTFL...
Putin calling the USA a 'dictatorship' is just about as sweet as Syria leading the "Human Rights Council" at the UN.
PUTIN IS MAD BECAUSE THE UKRAINE WILL NO LONGER BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
Yeah, he's got that. So do a lot of people. But can he come up with a solution? Also, can he stop Iran from building that Final Solution bomb?
Read today's Krauthammer piece in the WP. It sheds light on his comment.
sounds like Putin is trying to deflect attention away from the OIL-FOR-FOOD scandal he's so deep in! What a shmuck.
Putin calling the USA a 'dictatorship' is just about as sweet as Syria leading the "Human Rights Council" at the UN.
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This seems to be the modus operandi of all LEFTISTS no matter where they reside...U.S. or Russia...they always accuse their opponents of doing EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO!!!!
Yes, Putin is a real champion of democracy, alright, and the U.S. is a real dictatorship....(BARF BUCKET PLEASE!!!)
LMFAO !!!!! (a great laugh)
Putin is just pissed about what is taking place in the Ukraine. He and his KGB style hit men poisoned Viktor Yushchenko and did everything to block poll watchers so that massive vote fraud could take place. Now the world - including Bush - is asking for a re-vote and Putin is sensing he is on the losing end. The re-establishment of the Soviet empire will have to wait. He is pissed at Bush for saying that the whole world is watching the Ukraine elections. So Putin decides to hit back by critizing Bush on his Iraq policy.
Now the Ukraine will join NATO and the West. No one should trust Putin the KGB fascist.
These are some seriously stupid comments from Putin. The US (and the rest of the world for that matter - helloooo Putin!) has come out on the side of Democracy in the Ukraine and now Putin is pissing his pants about it. What an ass.
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