Putin warns US on more attacks

AFP ^ | 04-11-03

[Brian S]

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin today warned the US-led coalition not to attack other countries under the pretext of promoting capitalist and democratic values after having defeated Iraq's dictatorial regime.

"We are not going to export capitalist, democratic revolutions," the Russian leader told reporters as rumours in Washington allege that some elements of the US administration are mulling launching military operations against other Middle Eastern states.

"If we do, we're going to end up on a slippery slope to non-ending military conflicts. We can't let that happen," Putin said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac after holding talks with them.

Following the demise of the Iraqi regime, top US officials have issued a series of warnings to Syria, which now fears it might be next in line for a new US strike in the Middle East.

US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld on Thursday warned Damascus about giving aid to remnants of the Iraqi regime.

Rumsfeld accused Syria of helping "senior regime people out of Iraq and into Syria" and of continuing to provide Iraqi forces with equipment despite previous warnings.

And US President George W Bush asked Syria for its "total cooperation" in closing its border with neighbouring Iraq and turning over to the United States former dignitaries of Saddam Hussein's regime who may have found shelter on its territory.

Agence France-Presse

[myself6]

One of these days you are going to see the light, or at least admit that you always have.

Thankfully, I see that others are beginning to wake up.

[Leisler]

No doubt they'll be lined around the block for some updated Soviet deathtraps, er, weapons.

[Ethyl]

I disagree.On the fall of the Soviet Union the Russians made the best of a bad situation and infiltrated the politics of France and Germany. They then cemented relationships in the Middle East and funneled their offensive military capabilities into those countries to undermine the USA. Invading Iraq was a declaration of war by the USA-not only on Iraq- but on the countries supporting Iraq (the Soviets). Putin made this statement because he knows the Cold War is back.

Ethyl here: Russia has been disgraced and they know it, they backed the wrong man, they will try to sliver back into our good graces, with the germans and french hanging on to their backsides, I don't think that Mr. Bush will let that happen, however we might give something, send out some bait, to let them think that they have. This is interesting to watch............

[Right_in_Virginia]

"We are not going to export capitalist, democratic revolutions," the Russian leader told reporters..".

I guess former leaders of the KGB really can't change their stripes!!

[patriciaruth]

Look for russian defense spending to double in the next 5 years if you don't believe me.

Just going on record that I don't think this is going to happen, and if so, not as a result of Americans trouncing Saddam's evil minions...it will be because of the humiliation in Chechnya and for self defense against the Muslim fanatics. For that they will increase maybe 30% at most 50%.

The one country whose defense spending is going to double is China. The generation currently in charge still thinks that they must inevitably fight a war with us, and they were shocked and awed by our capabilities in Iraq. But I am holding out hope that if we can ease on down the road a bit further that the younger generation, the one-child generation, won't want to give up their MTV for B2 bombers.

[patriciaruth]

Saddam's brother just detained by our forces as he tried to sneak into Syria.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

You are enormously naive if you think we don't want to help Russia hold on to Siberia at all costs. You think we really want the Chicoms taking over there? You'd be nuts to hold that position.

[patriciaruth]

I don't think that Mr. Bush will let that happen,[forgiving Putin, and having a rapprochement with Russia]

President Bush is dedicated to doing what is the best interest of the United States. There are several reasons why our President will work for a rapprochement with Putin and Russia.
1. He doesn't want to drive Russia into an alliance with China against the U.S.
2. He doesn't want Russia to politicize selling oil to the United States, with their new huge Caspian fields destined to make us much less dependent on Middle Eastern politics. Russian oil is good for our economy.
3. He wants to cut the expenses of our nuclear arsenal by permanently standing down a lot of it. But if Russia becomes belligerent, there would be a lot of political pressure not to cut this expense despite there being no way we would be behind the MAD eight ball as we do this.

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

"Look for russian defense spending to double..."

I agree with you. Putin has to be quaking in his KGB boots. GW-I did not reveal to the world what our military strength is today, and Afganistan only revealed glimpses. Putin, I am sure, expected Saddam and his Republican Guard to make things very difficult for us. His retired Generals were advising the Iraqi's, the Iraqi's were armed with mostly all Russian stuff.

Looking back, now, Putin can contrast the Russian quagmire (that nasty word applies in this case) in Afganistan to our gaining decisive control there against the same enemy, in a relatively short time. The world now can do the same. What the world now sees is a Russian Teddy Bear, soft and furry (though I would not add cuddly, except as perceived by the French and Germans) with a feeble growl and a feeble bite.

[onedoug]

Try and stop us.

[FreeRep]

Russia, France and Germany 'Axis of Weasels'

[alethia]

I wanted to believe it as well. I really like the Russian people. I think it is quite clear that Putin is very, very good at double dealing. They've proven where they stand -- and it's not with us. We need to keep that very much in mind going forward...

[Naspino]

Israel will take care of Russia and Germany (hopefully France too).

[duckln]

Stalin did it, Hitler did it, Mao did it, Castro did it, and Saddam did it too

I see you wisely did not include Milosevic. Until we correct our stupid intrusion into the Balkan, the Russians may have a good point.

Two wars in the last 5 years, Bosnia/Kosovo and Iraq, one unjustified, the other jusitified. That 50%!

[TopQuark]

Russia has two thorns they cant control; the Mafia and Chechnya. You are very kind, cardinal. Add to this, the semi-existent legal syste, economy, and the interior ministry (there are persistent rumors that it is they who are at the helm of the Mafia). I think the list of things (Ras)Putin can control is much shorter --- his wife, maybe?

[Monty22]

"Putin made a large mistake. He's now stuck with the Germans, French"

I can't believe, honestly, that in my lifetime I'm seeing the old USSR unite with France and Germany of all things.

Just 6 or so years ago I'd have yelled 'impossible!', much less 10+ years ago..

[myrabach]

"WE"?????

Does he have a French mouse in his pocket?

[Orion78]

"The failure of US policy makers to comprehend the veiled aggressiveness and hostility towards the United States inherent in Sino-Russian strategy and the belief that the political and economic reforms in Russia and the partial introduction of capitalism in China have foreshadowed these countries' development into real democracies, have eroded the effectiveness of US policies in the foreign affairs, defence, intelligence and counter-intelligence fields. US policymakers have recklessly accepted the premise that Russia and China are no longer their enemies, but are rather potential allies and partners fully deserving of US support. Only countries like Iran, Iraq and North Korea - which (ironically, in this context) work secretly with Russia and China - are still considered potential adversaries.

US policymakers should urgently re-examine their assumptions about the 'progress' of Russia and China 'towards democracy'. They should take account of Sino-Russian strategy and should recognize that the long-term strategic, political and economic threat comes from a Sino-Russian axis and associated participants like North Korea, Iran, Iraq and Syria. The Russian and Chinese leaders are still committed to their objective of world domination and believe that, disguised as 'democrats', in accordance with Leninist teaching, they will be able to achieve it..."

[xm177e2]

"We are not going to export capitalist, democratic revolutions," the Russian leader told reporters as rumours in Washington allege that some elements of the US administration are mulling launching military operations against other Middle Eastern states.

You got a problem with Capitalism, huh punk?

[TheLion]

"Putin, I am sure, expected Saddam and his Republican Guard to make things very difficult for us. His retired Generals were advising the Iraqi's, the Iraqi's were armed with mostly all Russian stuff."

They also didn't take into account... the force and smell of sweet freedom! This is one of the reasons the Russians did so lousy in Afghanistan. Afghanistan wasn't buying whatever they were selling. Truth and freedom shine through.