Putin deplores collapse of USSR

BBC News ^ | April 25, 2005

[HAL9000]

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has described the collapse of the Soviet Union as "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe" of the 20th century.

Mr Putin's annual state of the nation address to parliament was broadcast live on Russian television.

He said the break-up of the USSR in 1991 was "a real drama" which left tens of millions of Russians outside the Russian Federation.

He also said Russia must develop as a "free and democratic" country.

But he stressed that Russia "will decide for itself the pace, terms and conditions of moving towards democracy".

"We are a free nation and our place in the modern world will be defined only by how successful and strong we are".

It was Mr Putin's second state of the nation address since being re-elected by a landslide in 2004.

[jb6]

They were begging Us to give them a loaf of old bread. They are still the same losers

Yes and you the great winners who have 19%+ unemployment, a communist government, massive deficit spending, and about to loose the oil and gas tariffs. Yup, you're a winner alright, please tell me more.

[Brofholdonow]

Thanks for setting me straight pal!

[nkycincinnatikid]

Just because the Germans decided it was worth Billions and Billions to remove the russians from their soil doesn't mean that the other victims can afford to buy a bus ticket back to moscow for their occupiers . Bring them home yourseves like Germany did.

[keat]

There are many other denominations allowed in Russia...

Of course, I know all religious denominations are "allowed" in Russia. In practice, though, I believe they are a far way from religious freedom and much of the mistreatment of religious groups is institutionalized. Here is a link to a US State Department web page that has to be considered somewhat credible:

http://usinfo.state.gov/dhr/Archive/2005/Apr/20-249720.html

[GarySpFc]

He's starting at the top, with the oil industry. Maybe you you should not be selective with your facts and just include what you like.

Oh nonsense! Two points need to be made about Yukos:
Firstly, anyone with knowledge of Russian business knows the majority of business keep two sets of books to avoid taxes. This is a very common practice. Secondly, the oligarchs raped the country by stealing the national assets in the early nineties. Putin made an agreement to leave them alone, and to not prosecute them if they stayed out of politics. Michael K. broke that agreement, and Putin knew exactly where to look for the evidence of lawbreaking. I fully realize the Russianphobes will never accept something so logical, because it kills their conspiracy theory.

[Grzegorz 246]

Sure we are.

BTW I won't cry, when they will finally... give their lives...

[Grzegorz 246]

"Putin made an agreement to leave them alone, and to not prosecute them if they stayed out of politics."

I am shocked that you admit it. I thought that brave Puti will punish all bad guys :)

[GarySpFc]

Of course, I know all religious denominations are "allowed" in Russia. In practice, though, I believe they are a far way from religious freedom and much of the mistreatment of religious groups is institutionalized. Here is a link to a US State Department web page that has to be considered somewhat credible:

Sorry, but I am a theologian and have a little more information as to what is going on than what appears on the State Department site. My best friend is also the liason between the UMC and the ROC. Groups that are not orthodox (small o) are purpously kept out of the country. The RCC is also kept out.

[Brofholdonow]

I'm very impressed with your position of not only being Putin's unofficial spokesman but as your conduit to his thoughts and motives. But the most interesting thing of all is your fascinating conclusion that anyone that is not of you mindset hates Russia and Russians. I bow to your curious intellect.

[GarySpFc]

"Putin made an agreement to leave them alone, and to not prosecute them if they stayed out of politics."

I am shocked that you admit it. I thought that brave Puti will punish all bad guys :)

I notice you do not hold Yushchenko to the same standard in the Ukraine as you do Putin. Why haven't you ever commented on the Mafia Gas Princess stealing $11.5 billion from Russia in the Ukraine? Why haven't you commented on Tymoshenko's plan to re-nationalize many of the business in the Ukraine?

[potlatch]

Russia "will decide for itself the pace, terms and conditions of moving towards democracy".

Like you, I hope they make the right choice.

[G Larry]

Don't kid yourself!
The "Democracy" pitch is a sham.

Behind the scenes the thugs are pasting the pieces back together again.

[Grzegorz 246]

First of all I think that Vik should get a few months more, besides unlike you and your clown, I have never said that I'm 100% fair and objective merciful Christian...

[GarySpFc]

I'm very impressed with your position of not only being Putin's unofficial spokesman but as your conduit to his thoughts and motives. But the most interesting thing of all is your fascinating conclusion that anyone that is not of you mindset hates Russia and Russians. I bow to your curious intellect.

I did not come on FR with this view, but noticed the vicious attacks against Russia over the issue of Chechnya. I am former Special Forces, and have seen intell that clearly proved what I was hearing was bald-faced lies. The attacks were coming from Muslim sympathizers, Poles, Ukrainians, and a couple of individuals like Tailgunner Joe. The attacks continued through the Ukrainian election, with many lies being told. Supposedly Russian tanks were rolling towards Kiev, and Russian Spetsnaz landed at the airport there. Both were bald faced lies.
I also listened to what JB6 had to say about Bosnia. I did not rely on his information but checked with several SF sources, and they confirmed what he said is true.
Do you remember the hue and cry over what happened at the Moscow Theater? The actions of the Russian military and Spetsnaz were attacked unmercifully by the same individuals. That would have been my mission in America, and I can tell you that it is normal for something to go wrong in all missions, but overall the Russian Spetsnaz did a fairly good job.

[spanalot]

Of course, I know all religious denominations are "allowed" in Russia. In practice, though, I believe they are a far way from religious freedom and much of the mistreatment of religious groups is institutionalized. Here is a link to a US State Department web page that has to be considered somewhat credible:

Sorry, but I am a theologian and have a little more information as to what is going on than what appears on the State Department site. My best friend is also the liason between the UMC and the ROC. Groups that are not orthodox (small o) are purpously kept out of the country. The RCC is also kept out.

108 posted on 04/25/2005 10:03:39 PM EDT by GarySpFc

---

What is the UMC.

What do you think of the Moscow Church preaching to Ukrainians to vote for Yushchenko's poisoner - or do you think Yushchenko poisoned himself.

And as you are a theologian, does this politicking fall under the auspices of one the 3 spheres of the Holy Trinity? Father, Son or Holy Ghost?

The Roman Catholic Church is the largest in Europe. What right does the ROC have to keep it out of the Russian part of Europe?

[jb6]

BTW I won't cry, when they will finally... give their lives...

Well it's nice to see your hatred is shining through. Hate to think you're a Christian in more then name and your responses and hatred prove you're not a Christian. You'll do well as an EU serf, or do you picture yourself as an EU duke, Judis?

[Brofholdonow]

Gary I thank you for your service to our nation and believe as you do that the Russians have a right not only to defend themselves but to respond in a manner they feel appropriate as our country would. That being said Vladimer Putin, a former KGB lifer, is pursuing old armament alliances with potential enemies of ours, this includes communist China. I understand that there are others, including our "friends"in old Europe who have done the same, put they don't have the potential voracity of Russia.

[jb6]

Just out of curiousity, Mr. "Polish", you're still posting away, I see, yet it's got to be what? Like oh, say, 3 AM in Poland right now or is it 4 AM already? hmmm, maybe you're being paid on assignment to post here, since anyone with a normal job wouldn't be posting each and every evening, er early morning, now would they?

[jb6]

I'm 100% fair and objective merciful Christian...

Oh definitly not, you pray for other young Christians to die and say you can't wait for it. No Christian or merciful are two adjectives that I would never use with you.

[jb6]

Why haven't you ever commented on the Mafia Gas Princess stealing $11.5 billion from Russia in the Ukraine? Why haven't you commented on Tymoshenko's plan to re-nationalize many of the business in the Ukraine?

Why would the mouth piece of Brussels say anything against what is normal EU business practice? After all, the European Soviet Union is the Trotskyte system of swings between ever more socialized "capitalism" and out right communism. And we all know, there is no God in the EU.