Posted on 02/24/2005 2:04:23 PM PST by wjersey
Bratislava, Slovakia, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- We may not yet be talking about divorce but the extended honeymoon period between U.S President George W. Bush and his increasingly autocratic Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin came to a definitive end Thursday at a summit between the two leaders in the Slovak capital of Bratislava.
It all happened following the end of bilateral talks when a televised press conference turned into a relentless and devastating assault on Putin's backsliding on democratic reform.
Since global democratization has been made the centerpiece of Bush's second term foreign policy agenda, analysts and politicians in the United States and elsewhere had billed this meeting as the first key test of the American president's credibility.
As Russia analysts James M. Goldgeier and Michael McFaul had put it in a commentary in the current issue of the Weekly Standard:
"If the president neglects to affirm his commitment to freedom with Putin at his side, Bush will be signaling that his words don't count."
So most of us were expecting the issue to be raised, if only in passing.
But no one could have been prepared for what was about to unfold.
While observing diplomatic niceties, President Bush's opening remarks included a pointedly blunt statement of his concern that Russia was not fulfilling "fundamental" democratic principles.
And this was nothing to what President Putin was forced to endure in the subsequent questions, every single one of which focused on democracy.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
From the article, if Putin felt any discomfort it was because our president doesn't shift or put on appearances. He is not usually an in-your-face kind of guy, either. Putin's problem was that he was off of Russian turf and is normally shielded from this type of exchange.
W is no Reagan!
Listening to your snide inane remarks....entertainment
Naw, he just saw the secret decoder ring that Bush showed him.
You may consider Russia weak, but obviously it is not behaving as if it were weak.
Putin is arming Venezuela
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/opinion/archive/s_303563.html
Putin is arming Syria
http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/index.jsp?section=papers&code=05-D_09
Russian espionage activities now are at the same level as the cold war.
http://strategypage.com/messageboards/messages/47-1684.asp
The world is full of strong players and Bush is playing it right.
"Cowering" was too strong of a word, on my part. The administration does not "cower" before anyone but the nature of their interaction with other nations seems to reward agression. If I were heading a nation, and I saw what happened to an unarmed Iraq, what happend when Libya voluntarily disarmed - on one hand - and what little has taken place against Iran, even in the way of sanctions, the only lesson I could draw from it is that it's better to develop WMD than to cooperate with non-proliferation. I think you need carrots and sticks.
We bailed Russia out on more than one occasion. We Americans are proud of our actions in balling out the needy. I am sure you agree.
Russia is up to it's old tricks again of funding US enemies. Communism didn't die it just went underground and is back bigger than ever right now because the EU see's it as a counter to the US power being as they can't afford a real military for about another 15-20 years.
Yup. Even though Russia is not able to project force outside it's borders, it is still terribly important because of the top quality military technology built during the cold war and thereafter. Who they sell stuff to will determine the balance of power in many theatres.
So what?
Two things you can count on with the Russians:
1) Russia will act in Russia's interest -- not in anybody else's.
B) They need cash and if they have arms to sell they will sell to those who have cash on the barrelhead.
2) Russia lost all their chips about 10-12 years ago. They've been trying to get a new stake and a new seat at the table ever since.
Yep and we get kicked in the teeth every time whoever it is we bailed out can stand on their own two feet again.
Has anybody heard from Ted Kennedy lately??? How
about John (I am a Vet) Kerry...Or Al (Boor) Gore?
Dubya leaves 'em in the dust and they either pout
or coninue bashing...or elect a Dean to help them..
we got 'em slippong and sliding...Jake
>Sounds like you need to get a better handle on yourself.
Thanks for the advice (not sure what it means though). Not clear what Iran has to do with global terror; if there are links, they are tenuous.
I'll bet today's paycheck that Bush and Putin talk on the phone far more often Bush talks to Chirac or Shroeder!
Remarks by President Bush and President Putin in a Press Availability
Joint Statement by President Bush and President Putin on Russia's Accession to WTO
Joint Statement by President Bush and President Putin on Nuclear Security Cooperation
Joint Statement by President Bush and President Putin on U.S.-Russian Energy Cooperation
U.S.-Russia Arrangement on Cooperation in Enhancing Control of Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS)
President Bush addresses and thanks citizens of Slovakia
President Bush and Slovakian Prime Minister Dzurinda discuss policy
U.S.-Russia Joint Fact Sheet: Bratislava Initiatives
U.S. First Lady Laura Bush participates in Ceremonial Opening of InfoUSA Bratislava
Slovak Post to issue a SLOVAKIA SUMMIT 2005 stamp
Discussion Round Table "Slovakia - the Driving Force in Automotive Manufacture"
Invitation: Press conference and presentation "Slovakia: Worlds Foremost Reformer" on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. in the "Incheba" Press Center (auditorium)
The press conference of the Mayor of Bratislava, Capital City of the Slovak Republic
February 23, 2005, 3:00 p.m., Incheba Press Center
Theme: Bratislava and its investment development in international context
The international press conference of the Mayor of Bratislava, Capital City of the Slovak Republic
February 24, 2005, 1:30 p.m., Incheba Press Center
Theme: Bratislava as an appealing tourist destination
An invitation to the press conference "Slovakia on the way to the new healthcare" with Mr. Rudolf Zajac, Minister of Health of the Slovak Republic, on Feb 24, 2005 (Thursday) at 12:30 p.m.
Transcript of the interview with George W. Bush by Olga Bakova, correspondent of the Slovak Radio in Washington D.C.
Transcript of the Press Briefing by National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley on the President´s trip to Europe
Announcement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Eduard Kukan, relating to the official visit of the U.S. President, George W. Bush, to Slovakia next week
Slovak Tourism Agency preparing for Bush & Putin Summit
Special Bush & Putin Summit stamp launch to take place in Incheba
Slovak Post to issue special stamp for Bush & Putin Summit
Press Release on initial plans for Media facililties for the Slovakia Summit 2005 (The first press conference of the Permanent Secretariat and unveiling of the Slovak Government official website for Summit activities)
Pooty poot must not of liked his can of whoop ass.
Dude, puttng it mildly, you are lost.
Putin is a rat and should be treated as one.He looks like one too.
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