Posted on 06/24/2002 5:19:24 PM PDT by Bobby777
MOSCOW, June 24 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday called it "dangerous and a mistake" to remove Yasser Arafat from the Palestinian leadership because "it would lead to a radicalization of Palestinian society."
Speaking at a wide-ranging news conference in the Kremlin Monday, Putin differed from U.S. President George Bush who a few hours later called for "new and different Palestinian leadership" to bring peace to the region.
But Putin, who said he was very concerned with the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, warned that Arafat should not be sidelined.
"It would be dangerous and a mistake to remove (Arafat) from the political arena because, in our view, that would lead to a radicalization of Palestinian society," Putin said. It was the current leadership that "should do everything in its power to stop the activities of terrorists in this region," he added.
Hundreds of reporters crowded into the conference that marked the middle of Putin's presidential term.
Putin also said Russia's partnership with the West had been reinforced by a series of summits with Bush and other NATO leaders over the past three weeks. At the same time he said Russia was opposed to North Atlantic bloc's plans to admit the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
"We don't think that the expansion of NATO improves anybody's security," Putin said.
A year ago journalists used a similar opportunity to learn more personal details about the shadowy personality of the new president. They peppered Putin with personal questions about his pets or his fitness routine.
This year, the questions focused on pressing domestic issues, foreign policy and trade.
Putin dealt at length with his position that Russia should join the World Trade Organization saying, "Today, Russia is the only one of the great world economies that is not a member of the WTO."
He said, "The most important task standing before Russia today is the development of the economy and raising the standard of living. In the current globalization, we need open markets. Otherwise, today, it is impossible to develop."
Sounding as if he was rehearsing his arguments for this week's summit of the seven major industrialized nations plus Russia in Canada he added, "We need beneficial international relations which are directly linked to foreign trade. To stay outside the framework of this process is dangerous and stupid."
Putin admitted that problems remained as Moscow negotiates favorable terms for joining the WTO, but added that Russia should be in line to join the organization before 2004.
He said progress had been made in the long-running dispute between Russia and the United States over U.S.-imposed tariffs on imported steel, which has hurt Russian exporters.
"The (Bush) administration is moving towards Russia (on this issue), agreeing with some Russian proposals. This is progress," Putin said.
Responding to a question about the continuing war in the separatist region of Chechnya, the Russian leader said the federal authorities were largely to blame for letting the situation get out of control there in the first place.
"The Chechen people are not to be blamed for anything. I think it is the fault of the federal center," Putin said.
Putin admitted, "The situation (in Chechnya) is a tragedy" and stressed that the practice of military mop-up operations, which involve repeated searches of homes of civilians should end. But he added that the local law enforcement bodies had to first take full control of the situation in the autonomous republic.
"Chechnya must be defended by the Chechens themselves. The next step is to let the Chechen people, who support the efforts of the federal center, restore order themselves, with arms in their hands," he said.
Putin also pressed for a visa-free regime for another troubled region, the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea, which is cut off from the rest of the country by Lithuania and Poland, which will soon join the European Union.
Putin called on the EU to find a compromise today "not in the spirit of Cold War" that would allow free transit of Russian citizens between the enclave and the rest of Russia.
Putin rejected the notion that a personality cult was growing about him but said he could not prevent people's adoration of the symbol of Russia -- the presidency. The Russian leader said he disapproved of the so-called "Putinization" in the country but could not do anything about it.
"Up to a certain point you can agree to portraits and so on, but everything should be in moderation," he said.
Asked what influence former President Boris Yeltsin had over him, Putin replied, "I head the country today, I take political responsibility now and in the future. We respect the first president; we listen to his opinions and take them into account in making decisions. But we act on our own."
Putin took the time to tell reporters gathered in the Kremlin that sometimes he disagreed with Yeltsin, who had very strong views on certain subjects.
For example, Putin said that Yeltsin made his displeasure known when Putin decided to bring back the Soviet-era national anthem. "This (return of the Soviet anthem) could never have happened while Yeltsin was in power," Putin said.
"My main advantage is that I really feel how the ordinary citizen lives," the Russian leader said. "I know and feel what the average Russian lives by. This is a very big advantage when certain decisions are made. It helps."
Say what?
Huh?? You mean Palestinian society is NOT yet "radicalized"???
I think Putin gets it. Who would you rather have on the other side of the table: Arafat or Hamas. The day is fast approaching when we will miss old Yasser. At least he tried to make peace...against all odds. Obviously, his days are numbered now. The Israelis will then attempt "transfer" or kill all the Palestinians on the West Bank and all hell will break loose.
Yeah, sure he did...NOT. He could have had peace and an independent Arab Palistine during the reigh of the Crooked One, but he chose otherwise. The President quoted this from Bible today: "I have set before you life and death; therefore, choose life." Arafat made his choice at Camp David, and he chose death and destruction, as he sowed so shall he reap.
This is getting Orwellian. I swear, Putin must swear by Orwell's mythology.
THis is what the German Nazies requested in their own enclave before WWII.
Oh, Lord, where are the worships in Russia. You know, I think radicalized is code word for, YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET IN PALESTINE. YOU WANT PEACE, PUTIN GIVES. YOU DO NOT WANT WORSHIP, PUTIN GIVES HELL NONE WANT TO WORSHIP. I HAVE PLANTED CHEMICAL NUKE TERRORIST CELLS THERE AND THEY WILL ALL ATTACK AND SEEK FULL BLOWN WAR IF YOU GUYS DO NOT ABIDE BY MY WORD!
Russia WAS subjected to the terror act for years and on larger scale than Israel (of course if you discount the relative size). I think that Putin simply thinks that removal of Arafat will not improve the situation. Same way as removal of Aslan Maskhadov would not do it.
Pay attention, Russians have good reasons reason not to eliminate Aslan Maskhadov (who is a Chechen Arafat) although they could do it easily if they wanted. Russians do not think that the leaders who would take his place would be better. I understand that the anger of many supporters of Israel focuses on Arafat, because he is very visible and colorful, but in politics one should use brain. Putin is right.
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