Posted on 03/08/2006 11:26:01 AM PST by Tailgunner Joe
LAST SUNDAY, while returning home from Pakistan aboard Air Force One, President Bush received a telephone call from his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. The two men discussed several issues that threaten to disrupt U.S.-Russian solidarity in the war on terror--foremost, Russia's diplomatic support for Iran in the dispute over its nuclear program at the IAEA, and its decision to welcome Hamas, which recently won control of the Palestinian parliament, to Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is set to continue this dialogue in Washington this week in a series of direct talks with President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Unfortunately, absent from the agenda will be any discussion of the domestic factors that lie at the root of Russia's recent foreign policy maneuvers: namely, Putin's growing accommodation of terror at the expense of Russian democracy and the safety of its own citizens.
A week before the Hamas delegation's visit to the Russian capital, the Russian authorities closed two regional newspapers--Gorodskie Vesti in Volgograd and Nash Region in Vologda--for printing the Danish Mohammad cartoons. The local prosecutor's office consequently charged Anna Smirnova, the editor of the Nash Region, with "inciting ethnic tensions"--an offense punishable by up to five years in prison under Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code. The Danish Refugee Council, a non-governmental charity that provides food, health care, education, and reconstruction in Chechnya, was likewise instructed by the authorities to suspend its work. The stated reason: "concerns of reprisals" from the predominantly Muslim population in the region.
Responding to this potential PR disaster that threatened to undermine Russia's aspiration to serve as the new global mediator between the West and the Islamic world, President Putin stated: "There are more than 15 million Muslims in Russia and I want to say on behalf of the Russian leadership that we denounce any manifestations leading to the fanning of interethnic strife." Putin found some harsh words for the beleaguered Danish government as well: "One should reflect 100 times before publishing or drawing something," he said. "If a state cannot prevent such publications, it should at least ask for forgiveness."
Putin's groveling in the face of Muslim riots is part of a broader push on the part of his government over the past several years to reaffirm Russia's "unyielding commitment" to Muslim causes. This strategy has included gaining observer status to controversial organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Conference and cooperating with authoritarian Middle Eastern regimes that promote terror, such as Iran.
Putin's strategy is also intended to provide cover for his government's actions in Chechnya where, just a few days before Hamas was feted in the Kremlin, Prime Minister Sergei Abramov resigned from his post. Moscow hastily promoted the 29-year-old first deputy prime minister Ramzan Kadyrov, son of the late President Akhmad Kadyrov, to lead the region that is Russia's chief source of Islamic terrorism.
SINCE THE ASSASSINATION OF HIS FATHER in 2004, Ramzan Kadyrov has de facto ruled Chechnya as his personal, semi-criminal fiefdom. On January 25, the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe issued a scathing report on the situation in Chechnya, citing continued instances of kidnapping, hostage-taking, and arbitrary detention by Kadyrov's personal militia (known as "kadyrovtsy") as well as the customary "excessively harsh behavior" of Russian security forces.
Kadyrov likewise flaunted his disregard for rule of law in closing the Danish Refugee Council, stating that, "Denmark has always supported terrorists . . . In any case, these [NGOs] have never cooperated with the authorities. They collected information. They were like spies. We had very little use for them." As Alexei Malashenko, one of Russia's leading Caucasus and terrorism experts, observed: "Ramzan Kadyrov has long played the 'Islamic card'--jihad against jihad."
Yet for Putin's grand strategy of restoring Russia's waning influence abroad, Kadyrov is the man of the hour. Putin's constant praise of the young prodigy and Kadyrov's take-no-prisoners style have already earned him Russia's prestigious "Order of Hero" in 2004.
Putin's strategy, evidently, is to repress ordinary Muslims at home while pandering to Islamist extremists abroad.
Same was in Kosovo.
So in other words, you're saying theat the anti-western muslim Chechen Kadyrov is one of the "good muslims" who we should listen to and believe?
How long till this pandering to Muslims by Putin leads to the Chechnyians force Russia to slap them down again?
"Putin's strategy, evidently, is to repress ordinary Muslims at home while pandering to Islamist extremists abroad."
Sort of the opposite of ours... we hit them outside the US but let them run rampant in our borders (they practically have a quick no-check line in airport screening due to fear of profiling suits)
"anti-western"? I think that for Kremlin it is much more important whether Muslim Chechen leaders are pro or anti Russian.
This is about muslim anger at the west over cartoons. Russia sided with Islam against the west.
Weekly Standard is a leading neo-com[sic] voice in Muslim hating. Putin, like Bush, wants to deal with certain Muslims. No wonder 'bomb the world Kristol I want to get another column off' is separating from Bush.
Russia is the leading voice in muslim "neo-con" hating.
There is a large native Muslim population in Russia. It is a matter of Russian national security to prevent ethnic/religious conflicts. One Chechnya was enough.
If you were in the Russian government would you act differently?
"Putin's strategy, evidently, is to repress ordinary Muslims at home while pandering to Islamist extremists abroad." - Weekly Standard
And why would this be? Because under Bush-Rice, there are utterly no consequences for Russian suppression of its own democracy and Russian backing of the Islamo-Fascists.
Terrorists are the friends of the Russian people, yes?
NYET!!!
Putin and the ChiComs are doing the same thing. Pandering to muslims abroad, that is.
Meanwhile, "Bomb the World", "Civil War in Iraq", Daniel Pipes says the Muslim cartoons were never discussed when he met with Flemming Rose in 04.
A tricky position for them vis-a-vis the Chechens. I'm not sure I'd trust any of them - Kadyrov especially, given his background.
What disappointed me in what Putin said was the following:
"One should reflect 100 times before publishing or drawing something," he said. "If a state cannot prevent such publications, it should at least ask for forgiveness."
He's complained a million times about the "double standard" then he resorts to it. He's slipping. This second term for him thus far has been an absolute disaster.
is there a limit on putin's terms?
Well first of all I would not have condemned Denmark for failing to prevent any insult made toward the "Prophet" (piss be upon him).
Next I wouldn't demand that Denmark apologize to Islam for failing to kiss their islamic asses.
Finally, I wouldn't shut down two Russian newspapers for daring to offend tender muslim sensibilities.
Putin didn't have to say anything at all about this stupid cartoon controversy, but he couldn't pass up a chance to pander to muslims.
You see, we have a little something in the "West" called "freedom." It means we can say whatever we want about the demon possessed pedophile mohammed. Muslims don't like "freedom" and it seems the Russians (or at least their government) agree with them.
If Russia thinks it's a good idea to try and appease muslims, then they will get what all dhimmis deserve.
Yes - he's done in 2008. Although the Russian (and Western) press floats stories from time-to-time surmising how he'll be able to find a loop hole in the term limits. As it stands now, I don't think he'll even try it - I think he's looking at making some $$$$$ after he's out of office.
Two years is a long time in politics, especially in Russian politics. Right now there is not a clear successor. Most are saying Sergej Ivanov is heir apparant, but his failure to properly modernize the Russian Army, control his subordinates, and get a handle of the hazing in the Russian military, are going to tie him down (I hope). Kasyanov (former PM) has announced he'll probably run, but he's got too many ties to oligarchs and that'll kill him with the "people." Dmitry Medvedev is the one to watch right now.
Unfortunately, absent from the agenda will be any discussion of the domestic factors that lie at the root of Russia's recent foreign policy maneuvers: namely, Putin's growing accommodation of terror at the expense of Russian democracy and the safety of its own citizens. A week before the Hamas delegation's visit to the Russian capital, the Russian authorities closed two regional newspapers--Gorodskie Vesti in Volgograd and Nash Region in Vologda--for printing the Danish Mohammad cartoons.Not to mention Putin's revival of state control of industry, elimination of significant amounts of private property, destruction of the capital of Chechnya, sale of modern fighter jets to Venezuela, opposition to the liberation of Iraq...
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