Posted on 10/25/2006 6:08:25 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said North Korea should not be driven into a corner if the world wants to rein in its nuclear weapons programme. He said some negotiators "failed to find the right tone" with the country.
He was speaking in a live TV phone-in with Russians nationwide, broadcast on TV and radio.
He said he would not try to run for office again when his term ends in 2008, but said he would try to continue to influence political affairs.
On North Korea, Mr Putin said a solution could be found "with goodwill".
"You must never push one of the participants in talks into a corner," he said.
North Korea said earlier this month that it had tested a nuclear weapon.
Mr Putin said he expected to retain political influence after stepping down at the end of his final term in 2008, but did not specify in what role.
"Even in losing the job that I like, I hope I will manage to retain the essential thing - your trust," he said, adding: "With you, we can influence the life of the country" after 2008.
Russia 'alarmed'
On the question of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are both seeking independence from Russia's neighbour Georgia, Mr Putin said Russia had no plans to increase its territory at anybody's expense.
Russia's main goal is to prevent bloodshed in Georgia's relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, he said.
If Georgia opts for the use of force, it will make a big mistake, he added.
"We respect the Georgian people... Georgians made a huge contribution to Russian statehood," Mr Putin said, stressing the need for peaceful compromise.
"We're very alarmed by the current [Georgian] leadership's efforts to resolve these problems through force... We want relations with Georgia to get back to normal."
People were able to take part in the phone-in by telephone or e-mail, and residents in nine selected towns put their questions directly to Mr Putin.
More than a million questions were submitted to the organisers' website, many about worries over wages, pensions and rising housing costs.
Oh so he speaks for that Stalinist regime does he??
Hey Putie, s.t.f.u. and go shake down an east european country you sqaztic puke.
Yeah, don't squeeze North Korea, all the crap will squirt out.
I'm serious.
Is that a promise?
It now appears Comrade Putin is concerned that his under the table dealings and profits with Supreme Leader could be at jeopardy. It's understandable that he'd be concerned...he already lost his sweetheart under the table dealings with Saddam.
And while you're at it, keep your hands off the Charmin.
LOL - you beat me to it. That's exactly what I thought when I first saw the headline and I was moving in to post.
Damnit, I was first! Stupid red X :-)
I really, really have come to hate this guy.
Ancient Chinese Secret!
Just let them build their nukes, then nuke S. Korea and Japan, maybe the US if they can.
Doesn't seem the optimal solution. Mad as Little Kim is, he might even nuke Vladivostok, which is easily within his range, even by aircraft or NK's rickety old diesel electric subs.
Well...I'm not a boomer. However, he came back several years ago with a new series of ads..."Mr. Whipple has come out of retirement" and TVLand has played the old ads since then. :-)
Thug
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