Putin slams West over 'double standards' in Ukraine, Iraq (WAAAAAA!!! Alert)

AFP on Yahoo ^ | 12/23/04 | AFP - Moscow

[NormsRevenge]

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) hit out at the West's "double-standards" amid a Cold-War-style dispute over Ukrainian elections, accusing it of fomenting "permanent revolutions" in Moscow's backyard.

Putin again slammed US-led plans to press ahead with elections next month in Iraq (news - web sites) and said it was the height of hypocrisy for Western governments to criticise Russia for pursuing its interests in neighbouring former Soviet republics.

"Today according to our estimates there are nine cities in Iraq where there are hostilities but they still want to carry out elections," he said, condemning European elections monitors' plans to observe the poll from Jordan as a "farce".

"We do not understand how there can be an election in a country under conditions of total occupation... It's absurd. It's a farce. Everything is upside down."

The Russian leader said it was "complete nonsense" to accuse Moscow of trying to "devour" its smaller neighbours in the former Soviet sphere of influence, referring to countries such as Georgia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan during a wide-ranging annual press conference.

He said "permanent revolutions" such as the so-called "orange revolution" of West-leaning Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko risked plunging the region into "endless conflict".

Yushchenko is favoured to win a repeat presidential election on Sunday after an earlier poll which was clinched by Kremlin-backed Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich was annulled due to massive fraud.

"It's extremely dangerous trying to resolve political problems outside the framework of the law, first the 'rose revolution', then they'll think up of something like blue," Putin said.

"If you have permanent revolutions you risk plunging the post-Soviet space into endless conflict," he said, referring also to the so-called "rose revolution" in neighbouring Georgia in late 2003, won by US-educated President Mikhail Saakashvili.

Even so Putin said Moscow would "respect the will of the Ukrainian people" in Sunday's election.

"We hope that the national interests triumph over the political expediency of some," he said.

"We will work with any leader in Ukraine, but we expect that in the entourage of Viktor Yushchenko there will not be people who build their political ambitions on anti-Russian slogans."

Putin has previously accused the West of pursuing neo-colonialist objectives in eastern Europe and his latest comments mark an escalation in Moscow's rhetoric against perceived Western meddling in traditional Russian affairs.

He said he would raise concerns that the United States is trying to "isolate" Russia when he meets US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) early next year.

But the Russian president otherwise praised the strength of US-Russian relations, especially in the fight against terrorism.

"The United States is one of our high priority partners. We happen to be natural partners in resolving several acute problems these days, especially combating terrorism," he said.

"I would describe our relations not as a partnership but as an alliance."

Putin also defended Moscow's efforts to retake control of the country's energy sector amid international concerns that post-communist economic reforms were being rolled back.

State-owned firm Rosneft, in surprise late-night announcement Wednesday, revealed it had bought control of the major asset of the Yukos energy giant, owned by imprisoned billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his associates.

The deal -- the first renationalisation of the post-Soviet era -- cements Kremlin control of the strategic energy sector after almost 18 months of attacks on Yukos.

"Today the state, using absolutely legal market mechanisms, is protecting its interests. I consider that absolutely normal," Putin said.

He also dismissed fears from the liberal or free-market wing of his government that the Russian economy was slowing because of state intervention, saying it the outlook was "clearly positive."

Gross domestic product should grow by 6.8 percent this year and this would be "about in line with average growth in the last five years," he said.

[Lukasz]

You see, that is why Russians are so poor and they don’t have anything to say. You have syndrome of “TAK TAK” (YES YES). You don’t know how to speak with your own politicians. That is common opinion about Russian people in Poland.

[Chuzchka-Prizrak]

I have a little secret to tell.
We don not really care, what Poland people think about us.
Especially now.
And especially after a few articles in “Recze Pospolita” about Beslan.

[Lukasz]

I have a little secret to tell. We don not really care, what Poland people think about us.

It is absolutely normal, we in Poland also don’t care what foreign thinks. But in your place I would rather think about my statement is it true or not than complaining about who thinks so.

Especially now. And especially after a few articles in “Recze Pospolita” about Beslan.

Sorry this is not Russia we don’t have press controlled by government, and we don’t must be so politically correct to avoid all hard to Putin issues. How your press interpreted that articles, it is not our problem.

[KOZ.]

better freedom then putin

[MarMema]

That is common opinion about Russian people in Poland.

How kind of you to share. In this country we only have many jokes about Polish people.

[MarMema]

You think the Russians have less freedom than us? I envied their freedoms when I was there. Their freedoms in every day life are breathtaking. You don't even know.

[RusIvan]

Sorry this is not Russia we don’t have press controlled by government, and we don’t must be so politically correct to avoid all hard to Putin issues. How your press interpreted that articles, it is not our problem.===

Good. Then what you tell means that your 'free' press tells is the voice of your people?
If they gloat about Beslan tragedy then we may conclude something about polish consciousness.

[Chuzchka-Prizrak]

Of course, your press are free. And thanks for you press, we can see true face of Poland.
And it’s people, of course.

[Chuzchka-Prizrak]

Better Putin, than USA type of freedom.

[Lukasz]

How kind of you to share. In this country we only have many jokes about Polish people.

Which are effect of nazi-commie propaganda during WWII, then it is nothing to be proud of. History of Poland telling something completely different, than that false crap. Our observation are made through the centuries of neighboring with them.

You think the Russians have less freedom than us? I envied their freedoms when I was there. Their freedoms in every day life are breathtaking. You don't even know.

Where you been in Russia, my dear MarMema?

[Lukasz]

Good. Then what you tell means that your 'free' press tells is the voice of your people? If they gloat about Beslan tragedy then we may conclude something about polish consciousness.

No one here never gloat of Beslan. If you complaining about what polish press wrote about Beslan, then maybe paste some quotes cause I think that yopu don’t know what you are talking about.

Btw One Russian journalist wrote similar article in if I remember newspaper from Moscow and he lost this job because of that.

[Lukasz]

Of course, your press are free. And thanks for you press, we can see true face of Poland. And it’s people, of course.

In every free country press depends off vision of owners. Owners have difference visions, and you have chance to compare different sources.

[Lukasz]

Better Putin, than USA type of freedom.

Right for Russians dictators always were the best!

[Lukasz]

Not true. Other portion of sweet propaganda for west public.

Propaganda? I found even Russian source.

Izvestia’s Chief Editor Raf Shakirov Fired over Hostage Drama Coverage






Better Russian dictator in Russia, than power eager idiot in oval cabinet waging wars all across the planet. And plenty of other countries, always ready to spread legs to serve the will of their new “democratic” master.

Typical Russian. If you don’t like American model of democracy then maybe you and your countryman should create own model of democracy and not stupidly supporting dictators.

[Chuzchka-Prizrak]

Russian source?
Your call “Moscow times” Russian source? Alright.
I read this “emotional article” of Raf Shakirov. In Russian language of course.
There was quite unpleasant rumor, that he got some tribute for his emotion from a very interesting source, but it’s not the point.
All news and articles in my country about Beslan was emotional. And very often they criticize speznas operation and other details of that tragedy. And no one of journalist got fired.

In Reze Pospolita was not “typical” article. And this article was not emotional. It was cold, rational, inhuman speech about peaceful freedom fighters and disgusting Russian military.
And if this a freedom of press – screw such freedom.


>Typical Russian. If you don’t like American model of democracy then maybe you and your >countryman should create own model of democracy and not stupidly supporting dictators.


Typical Poland (praise be Mahulsky and Lem)? We are creating own model of democracy. But for west it’s easier to call it “stupidly supporting dictators”.

[RusIvan]

Right for Russians dictators always were the best!==

I hope you are sarcastic here right?
Whoever Putin is he is not dictator. He is elected and he will step down when his time will be over. At least he told that he intend to many times.
We will see what will happen after 3 years when his presidency will end.

[Lukasz]

In Reze Pospolita was not “typical” article. And this article was not emotional. It was cold, rational, inhuman speech about peaceful freedom fighters and disgusting Russian military. And if this a freedom of press – screw such freedom.

Of course this is not true, for sure they called Basajev thugs as a terrorists. Of course it is very possible that they bashed Russian military as well, they have many reasons I think. Provide some quotes, in English, Russian or Polish I want to see it.

We are creating own model of democracy. But for west it’s easier to call it “stupidly supporting dictators”.

Maybe this West have sometimes a bit of right?

[RusIvan]

It was cold, rational, inhuman speech about peaceful freedom fighters and disgusting Russian military. ==

Accually in Europe there were many articles of such. Liberals of Europe is blind or scared of terrorist threat. They think that if they will be lick terrorist asses then terrorists will be grateful to them. And liberals will have a "peace" with terrorists.

But russian military just killed all terrorists once in Moscow theater with smaller casualties and in Beslan with bigger.
This simple killings of terrorists just anger liberals of Europe because they alredy capitulated to them in thier minds. But those "uncivilised" russians kill terrorists on spots. It is scandaluous.

Poland isn't exemplilary here. So I perfectly understand the tone of polish press on Beslan and before on Moscow theater.
I have explanation to that. Look in to history.
Poland would capitulated before terrorists if she had to confront them ALONE! Poland would never go to fight just for her own!
Poland went to Iraq right but as many times before it happened only when she got few bigger and stronger allies behind her!

Russia opposite to Poland is stong enough to pick up fight with enemy which she chooses. Russia is strong and willing then those who weak got jeolous:)).

[Lukasz]

We will see what will happen after 3 years when his presidency will end.

We will see, Putin supports all of the CIS dictators then what you expect to see, I don’t know.