Russia: Putin Calls For Withdrawal Timetable For Iraq

RFE/RL ^ | 19 August 2005 | Claire Bigg

[Tailgunner Joe]

President Vladimir Putin (file photo) (CTK) Russian President Vladimir Putin called yesterday for a timetable for pulling foreign troops out of Iraq. The Russian leader said many Iraqis view the foreign troops as "occupiers" and suggested the withdrawal will encourage insurgents to abandon violence in favor of contributing to the creation of the state. The United States was quick to reject his call, saying it is still too early for a pullout.

Moscow, 19 August 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Speaking to reporters in the Black Sea resort of Sochi after a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah, Putin first reiterated his call for an international conference on Iraq.

Putin disapproves of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and insists such a conference might help bring peace to the strife-torn country.

Then the Russian president went one step further. He said it is imperative to draw up a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.

“We deem it necessary to work out a timetable for the gradual withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq," Putin said. "Many Iraqis, we know this well, still consider these forces to be occupiers."

Encouraging Iraqi insurgents to take part in their country’s political process, he added, is another argument in favor of a swift pullout.

“Resolving this task will enable a significant part of the armed Iraqi resistance to be brought into the process of creating a state," Putin said.

President George W. Bush has consistently rebuffed international calls to set a schedule for withdrawing the 138,000 U.S. troops from Iraq. Putin's plea was no exception.

A few hours after the Russian president's statement, U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told a news briefing in Washington that Iraq was not yet ready for a withdrawal of foreign troops.

"I think [U.S.] President [George W.] Bush has spoken very clearly on our views on the issue of security assistance to the Iraqis," McCormack said. "As Iraqis stand up [increase] their capabilities, we and the multinational forces will be able to stand down [withdraw]."

McCormack also suggested the United States had little intention to hold an international conference on Iraq by the end of the year, as Putin proposed.

"We did, recently, have an international conference that was organized in Brussels, which had great attendance from around the world, from around the region, from Europe -- there was a delegation from Russia there, I believe, as well -- in which countries came together to express support for Iraq," McCormack said.

Putin has openly opposed the Iraq war. But this is the first time he has made such a clear-cut statement on the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.

Putin’s statement comes just days after Russia carried out military exercises in the Barents Sea during which new intercontinental ballistic missiles were tested.

Yevgenii Volk, a political analyst and the director of Moscow's Heritage Foundation think thank, said both events indicate Putin might be trying to gain more influence in world affairs by flexing his country's military muscle.

“It is significant that the declaration was made directly after the Northern Fleet’s military exercises where, whatever people might say, scenarios of an atomic war with the U.S. were developed," Volk said. "This [declaration] is clearly a display of strength, and Putin is showing that Russia’s military power must and can translate into the strengthening of its political influence, no matter where the area of conflict is located.”

Russia and China also launched unprecedented joint military exercises yesterday amid U.S. concerns that the two giants might form a military alliance.

[Quinotto]

Hun, don't call the kettle black, will ya? To do that will be more ridiculous than your post!

Cheers!

[Quinotto]

Don't forget Iva :) But alas, their rhetoric is amusing to say the least so enjoy it!

Cheers!

[spanalot]

"What I disputed is your absurd assertions that there were no ethnic Russians or Russian Federation inhabitants who were "collectivized" exiled and perished en route or died at the point of destinations (often in GULAG's) around the time of Ukrainian Famine. "

This thread is a bashing of the Russians new saber rattling which comes on the heels of their renewed Imperialism.

As such , I have bashed the Russians for committing unprecedented genocide qith the Chinese as their agents- to the tune of 100 million.

The fact that several million Russians perished in this holocaust is irrelevent to assigning the blame on the Russians.

What part of this don't you understand ?

[GarySpFc]

"I haven't the slightest interest in a thai stick, nor does that have anything in the slightest to do with my service."

"Thai stick" is known by every Nam vet - even Kerry!

Did it ever occur to you that I was with a class of warriors who were more interesting in fighting than using drugs? I can prove I was a sneakypete and in Nam. You can't even call yourself an American. Who in the hell are you to question my service? Quanotto and yourself are potato couch warriors.

[REactor]

Gary, with all due respect, but HOW are you going to prove it by internet?

Spanalot, do you have any idea how is he going to do that?

This whole discussion about credentials is ridiculous.

[Quinotto]

Quanotto and yourself are potato couch warriors.

So, Papa Smurf, I see that you are back to the old MO, throwing fits when when you don't like it and mentioning again the vet status. Why would Spanalot not be an American? Under the same logic, your Russian bride is not either. And as far as me being a couch potato, I already gave you my military MOS and you have yet to do so. I think we had enough retorts of grandeur from your side, your insipid and unrealistic replies are getting pitiful by the moment. You see, training received at Fort Bragg stays with a person for life, if the person, indeed, has received such training. You proved time after time that you failed even basic PsyOps, DA and UW :) In other words, (re)actions speak louder than words.

[spanalot]

"Did it ever occur to you that I was with a class of warriors "

"Class of warrior"? Doesn't sound like SF talk. Are you sure you weren't a Marine or Ranger and you can't divulge your true identity?

[GarySpFc]

Quinotto, I have been insulted by pros, and your rhetoric and pettifogging is ineffective. Insults are a reflection of your own lack of self esteem. BTW, your MOS means nothing to me.

That said, the issue is not my service or your lack of it, but your baldfaced lie that all Russians are communists. That is not only an evil and racist lie, but a reflection of a black heart.

[sergey1973]

"The fact that several million Russians perished in this holocaust is irrelevent to assigning the blame on the Russians. "

No it's relevant. Previously you didn't even acknowledged that there were many Russian victims of Communist terror saying that 'every surviving Russian benefited' from Communism till you were shown the facts. It's relevant for Russia too to know that Communist system and its adherents murdered and destroyed Russia too.

It's also important to make a distinction between "several million" (actually much more than several million over decades of Lenin-Stalin Terror ) of those ordinary Russians who perished from the Russian/Soviet communist system and Russian/Soviet Communist authorities who executed the murder.

"This thread is a bashing of the Russians new saber rattling which comes on the heels of their renewed Imperialism. "

Putin regime is loathsome and the fact that still most of Russians (including children and grandchildren of Communist Terror victims or even survivors of Stalin Terror themselves) still harbor false illusions of great and powerful Russia/USSR under Lenin-Stalin is disheartening. This is an issue worth a separate discussion. However, its not a justification to dismiss, deny or downplay the many Russian victims of Communism. Got it ?

[REactor]

Asking for your MOS is not pettifogging. The more so that you started this whole discussion about credentials.

your baldfaced lie that all Russians are communists.

Who said so? When, where? Don't throw dust in the eyes, but do prove your credentials at last.

[Quinotto]

I guess Gary went crying to the Moderator and had my reply removed. That proved my case completely, I don't remember any of us going whining to mom and pop when he became so personal but then that's Gary and all his... Special Forces training. That doesn't take it from the fact that to the day he has yet to provide us with HIS MOS.

[REactor]

Yup. We'll be waiting forever. He's gone and won't be back. at least on this thread. He went to look for some other patsies to intimidate them with his "credentials".

[Sidebar Moderator]

The post was pulled per your request

[GarySpFc]

Okay, you will see my credentials proving I am Special Forces. That said, I would not expect an apology from someone like yourself, since you are not the type who would ever admit you are wrong.

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/1312/members.html

[GarySpFc]

Correction, I "was" Special Forces.

[GarySpFc]

See Post number 516 & 517. You are not man or woman enough to admit when you are wrong.

[Quinotto]

I am NOT going to get dragged into this, I already specified my reasons to you. The only thing which has value and credibility to me is a DD214 but, as I told you before, I think we have more things in common than we have differences and dragging this further makes no sense. I am really done with this craziness.

[GarySpFc]

I know you will only accept a DD-214, and not accept an old high school buddy's word, General Dick Myers.

http://www.smnorth60.com/vietnam.htm

See numbers #6 and #17.