Posted on 02/22/2005 12:25:04 PM PST by anonymoussierra
By Steve Holland
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) openly differed on the state of Russia's democracy Tuesday, setting the stage for a possibly difficult face-to-face meeting Thursday.
snip=======
For the second day in a row, Bush raised his own concerns, which until now he had been passing along in private. He questioned whether Russia had an independent free press and said Baltic leaders at a NATO (news - web sites) summit had expressed their own worries to him, which he said he would tell Putin about.
In Moscow, Putin, without responding directly to Bush's criticism, said Russia must adapt democracy on its own and would not allow the issue to be used by other countries for their foreign policy goals.
"The fundamental principles of democracy and institutions of democracy must be adapted to the realities of Russian life today, to our traditions and our history. And we will do this ourselves," he told Slovak media ahead of summit talks with Bush in Bratislava Thursday.
The United States and its western allies have been increasingly vocal about widespread concerns that Putin has chosen an increasingly authoritarian path.
snip========
Bush Monday said in the keynote speech of his 5-day trip to Europe that Russia must renew its commitment to democracy and the rule of law. He and Putin meet in Bratislava Thursday for their 12th meeting, a possibly pivotal session.
"I like a country with a free press, an independent free press. And there has been some moves where the Russian government, I guess for better use of the word, didn't license certain members of the press," Bush told a news conference with European Union (news - web sites) leaders Tuesday.
He also said it was important that Putin not just hear the concerns from him, that Baltic leaders at a NATO summit in Brussels Tuesday had also raised concerns. The Baltics were dominated by the former Soviet Union and joined NATO as a hedge against a resurgent Russia.
"There were some concerns from the Baltic nations," Bush said. "And I look forward to carrying their message that it's very important for President Putin to make very clear why he has made some of the decisions he's made and as well as respect his neighbors."
snip=====
Western and Russian civil rights campaigners accuse Putin of restricting democracy by abolishing the election of provincial governors, pursuing a legal vendetta against the Yukos oil company and tightening the Kremlin's grip on the media.
Bush has been walking a tightrope, cajoling Putin to a more open path without angering the Russian leader, who has been a stalwart supporter of the U.S.-led war on terrorism.
Some analysts have called on the Bush administration to be more vocal in its criticism as it begins a second term. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites) pointed to a sharper U.S. mood earlier this month when she said Moscow had to do more to show it was committed to "the basics of democracy."
Bush did not specify which Baltic leaders had expressed concerns to him during a NATO summit.
He said he was confident he could raise the concerns in a cordial way.
"It's important for us to keep a constructive relationship with Russia. We've got a lot to do together. We've got a lot of common projects that will make people more secure around the world -- one of which is to make sure that nuclear stockpiles are safeguarded," Bush said. (Additional reporting by Sonia Oxley)
Poor Russia. Reflexively opposed to the US just because they can't stand our success. Must be sad knowing you're on the wrong side of history. God Bless America.
BTTT
Hello, this is Earth. Come in, Neb. Earth calling Neb....
Thank you all Putin is Putin today is today
Thank you. :^D
"Thank you all Putin is Putin today is today"
What?
I'm gonna have to work on my Polish or you're gonnna have to explain that last post! LMAO
:}}}}}I am sorry this is Putin is Putin
"In Moscow, Putin, without responding directly to Bush's criticism, said Russia must adapt democracy on its own and would not allow the issue to be used by other countries for their foreign policy goals.
"The fundamental principles of democracy and institutions of democracy must be adapted to the realities of Russian life today, to our traditions and our history. And we will do this ourselves," he told Slovak media ahead of summit talks with Bush in Bratislava Thursday.""and would not allow the issue to be used by other countries for their foreign policy goals."This is old comunist talk what he Putin write what he Putin talk read please what is this Thank you
Now I understand. Thank you!
Well I think we all know that Putin is not what he appears to be. We'll just have to wait and see if W can convince Putin to change his ways...
"Well I think we all know that Putin is not what he appears to be. We'll just have to wait and see if W can convince Putin to change his ways..."This is Putin this is Putin KGB I do not know America friend I do not know I do feel Putin do not want Russia free Putin do want total power Thank you
Let me guess: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania.
Thank you
I was just going to mention the fact that Putin is old KGB and that it may be difficult for this old cat to change his stripes, if ya know what I mean!
Once a commie always a commie!
Good stuff ~ Bump!
Agreed. The problem is that the bulk of New Europe leaders are former Commies, no less than Putin. For example, check Yushchenko's biography.
Non-communists were out out of the loop when the Wall fell and the loot started.
Wonderful pictures from you, as always. Thanks!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.