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Putin Criticizes Cheney's Remarks
AP ^ | May. 25, 2006 | VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

Posted on 05/25/2006 2:25:39 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia wants good relations with the United States but he objected vigorously to Vice President Dick Cheney's recent criticism of democratic backtracking by the Kremlin.

"We see how the United States defends its interests, we see what methods and means they use for this," Putin said at a news conference following a summit meeting of Russia and the European Union in his most direct criticism of Cheney's remarks.

In a speech earlier this month in Lithuania, Cheney accused the Kremlin of rolling back democracy and strong-arming its ex-Soviet neighbors.

"When we fight for our interests, we also look for the most acceptable methods to accomplish our national tasks, and I find it strange that this seems inexplicable to someone," Putin said, replying to a reporter's request for his reaction to the vice president's remarks.

Even before Cheney's speech, Russian-U.S. relations had been on a steady downward slide. Last month, Putin claimed the United States had put up artificial obstacles to slow Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization, and the Pentagon accused Moscow of giving intelligence on U.S. troop movements in Iraq to Saddam Hussein in 2003.

The crisis around Iran's nuclear program has seen the two countries, which proclaimed themselves "strategic partners" just a few years ago, firmly in opposing camps.

Putin said that despite the friction, the United States remains "one of our major partners."

But he suggested no nation had the right to interfere in Russia's relations with third countries.

"As far as the view of our relations with other countries, we will discuss our relations with them directly," Putin said icily.

The growing rift with Washington threatens to mar the summit of the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations in St. Petersburg in July.

Speaking of U.S. criticism of a hard-fought Russian-Ukrainian gas deal, which many Ukrainian politicians and the U.S. government have objected to as putting the two sides on unequal terms, Putin asked: "How can leaders of other states say it is bad for the Ukrainians?"

"I don't understand if this criticism is addressed to us or the Ukrainian leadership. But you should ask those who make these comments."

Putin and European Union leaders agreed their countries had common interests in easing their dispute over energy supplies and markets, but acknowledged differences.

"We are aware of our common interests," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said at the final press conference. "What we want is a relationship based on ... the principle of interdependence."

The energy disputes have hung over the relationship since January, when a brief disruption in Russian gas supplies to Western Europe amid a price dispute with Ukraine tarnished Russia's reputation as a reliable supplier and encouraged the EU to intensify a search for alternative supply routes.

"We are as interested as Russia to avoid further misunderstandings," said Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, whose country currently holds the EU presidency.

But Barroso said there were still "sensitivities" that needed to be addressed.

"This is not at all, I want to underline this on our side, a problem of lack of trust in Russia as a credible supplier, as Russia has always been," he said. "But there are some sensitivities, it is true."

He said the sensitivities included the way public opinion in the EU reacted to the problems between Russia and Ukraine earlier this year.

Putin tried to assure his EU partners that China was no substitute for Europe as a market for Russia's oil and gas although Russia was developing markets for its energy resources.

"China is not an alternative to Europe for energy supplies," Putin told a news conference following the Russia-EU summit.

The New Year's shutdown, which was followed by gas shortages amid a harsh winter, came as Russia declared energy security to be a top priority of its leadership this year of the G-8.

European fears of excessive energy reliance on Russia, which supplies a quarter of Europe's gas and is its second-biggest supplier of oil, increased further amid talk that Russia's state-controlled natural gas giant, Gazprom, was considering acquiring Britain's largest gas distributor and negotiating similar deals in other EU nations.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: austria; eussr; gasputin; interdependence; wto
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To: Romanov

"spanalot's disparaging remarks about my wife, other poster's wives"

There is no secret that most Putin-philes here profess to be US vets, and that they live in the US, but they are very familiar with Russia because they have "Russian Wives".

The Russian Wives Club seldom posts anything except that which involves 1) the advancement of "understanding" of the Russian side of things, 2) the slandering of Ukrainian interests, 3) the slandering of Polish interests.

And in hour case, this is despite your professed "6 year" interview of Russian Viet Nam vets. Why have you refused to share your insights on this secret war waged against the US?

To the extent I have been critical of this, I plead Very ,Very Guilty - and with No Explanation; especially to anyone that would obfuscate the Kremlin's role in the Genocide of 100 million in the past century.


41 posted on 06/01/2006 1:13:56 PM PDT by spanalot
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To: spanalot

"There is no secret that most Putin-philes here profess to be US vets, and that they live in the US, but they are very familiar with Russia because they have "Russian Wives".

The Russian Wives Club seldom posts anything except that which involves 1) the advancement of "understanding" of the Russian side of things, 2) the slandering of Ukrainian interests, 3) the slandering of Polish interests.

And in hour case, this is despite your professed "6 year" interview of Russian Viet Nam vets. Why have you refused to share your insights on this secret war waged against the US?

To the extent I have been critical of this, I plead Very ,Very Guilty - and with No Explanation; especially to anyone that would obfuscate the Kremlin's role in the Genocide of 100 million in the past century."

I see you spinalot it to what you think is your advantage. First of all, and I've told you this before - my wife is an ethnic UKRAINIAN. You dolt. But since you prefer to judge people based on what color they are or what blood courses through their veins and since I post things that counter your Ukrainian nationalist revisionist history I suppose it's just easier for you to slander my wife, my daughter, etc., by calling them "evil" for having Russian blood - the very SAME blood that courses through your veins - as there is no real genetic difference btwn you Ukrainians and Russians.

And let's get something CRYSTAL CLEAR. I advance no country's interests other than the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. That's what you really get mad about. That I'm not forwarding Ukrainian nationalist propaganda and that I'm not giving the Poles a free ride on their criticism of Russia when they do the exact same things they yell about Russia doing (arms trade to US enemies, etc.). So, how about putting the United States of America's interests first - Comrade? Or does your "heart" and loyalty still remain in Western Ukraine?

Regarding the interviews of Soviet (Ukrainian/Russian/Belarusian/Turkmen/Latvian/Estonian,etc) Vietname War veterans. I've provided this information and links to my writings on the subject on various occasions. I know you've looked at it, because you unwittingly quoted something I wrote in that capacity in a post you made a few months back. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA


42 posted on 06/01/2006 1:26:56 PM PDT by Romanov
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To: Romanov

"Regarding the interviews of Soviet (Ukrainian/Russian/Belarusian/Turkmen/Latvian/Estonian,etc) Vietname War veterans. I've provided this information and links to my writings on the subject on various occasions"



To: spanalot; JasonC
Spanalot you're once again showing your inability to comprehend simple concepts. I have retired after 23 years of service. The first 3 were in the US Army with the 326th Ord Company (Rapid Deployment Forces). The last 20 were with the USAF - I served in MI, Arms Control, and the last six years I worked on a Joint U.S.-Russian commission tasked with finding information that may clarify the fate of our missing servicemen. I'm a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars - since 1986.

So little boys - if either of you two have served as long as I have then please feel free to try to discredit my service to country. If you haven't - STFU. Unlike you kids I didn't fight my wars on the internet.

And JasonC - if you think I'm a traitor please feel free to call up Sec Def Rumsfeld and tell him to rescind the three medals I was awarded that he approved.

Romanov



I dont see any links and neither can i find any evidence that this commission was granted permission to do 6 years worth of interviews.

I am sure you will provide a rational explanation.

However the bottom line remains - your posts are limited to Uke and Pole bashing and Putie Pushing - and no insights that one would expect from interviewing so many enemy communist soldiers.


43 posted on 06/02/2006 4:13:41 PM PDT by spanalot
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To: spanalot; GarySpFc

Seek help, you need it. I'm not a Pole or Ukrainian basher or a pro-Russian poster. That's something you cannot understand or will not understand because you live a life that is based on ethnic hatred. What I will do is point out the hypocrisy when posted by any proponent of nationalist politics when claiming they are "victims" of the said criminal Soviet regimes. If Poles or Ukrainians or Russians or Georgians or whomever fall into these categories they deserve to be outed. The history of that region has shown that inter-ethnic hatred has caused the deaths of millions. What you and your "friends" do on here is continue that Eastern European tradition of basing your hatred of someone based on where they were born. We've already fought one world war because of people like you. Over 400,000 Americans died because of people like you who thrive off of hate. What you are afraid of is the truth.

Regarding the Commission and your doubts of its existence. You obviously have some problems with fact and with reality. But once again - this will make the 4th time I have provided this information to you - so before you to to the links take your meds so you'll remember it this time. And remove the tinfoil hat from your head to - it may cause forgetfulness:

http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/sovietunion/jcsd.htm

http://www.usembassy.ru/embassy/section.php?record_id=pow_mia


44 posted on 06/02/2006 5:00:38 PM PDT by Romanov
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To: spanalot; JasonC; Romanov; x5452
The Russian Wives Club seldom posts anything except that which involves 1) the advancement of "understanding" of the Russian side of things, 2) the slandering of Ukrainian interests, 3) the slandering of Polish interests.

Firstly, my wife is Ukrainian/Russian, and grew up in a Ukrainian only speaking home. She is fluent in Ukrainian.

Understanding the Russian side of things sometimes has everything to do with saving American kids from terrorist attacks. Have you ever heard of the Archangel Group? Archangel is an expert anti-terrorist group run by a former American Special Forces.

Archangel group helping America's schools prepare

Archangel Group

Archangel Group is a non-profit organization providing a broad scope of security and anti-terror training and services. Our services include anti-terror consulting, international security assessments, executive protection, K&R hostage negotiation and training. Our network of international consultants and associates hold professional qualifications ranging from law degrees and military special forces experience, to doctorate degrees in social sciences and public administration.

Our training is founded on decades of experience in national and international affairs, as well as close working relationships with U.S., British, Russian, and Israeli Special Forces Units.

You really should read, Terror at Beslan: A Russian Tragedy with Lessons for America's Schools, by John Giduck, but then like all keyboard commandos you're too busy sitting on your butt.

45 posted on 06/02/2006 8:47:23 PM PDT by GarySpFc (Jesus on Immigration, John 10:1)
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To: GarySpFc
"former American" - the operative phrase...
46 posted on 06/02/2006 8:53:54 PM PDT by JasonC
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To: JasonC

Yeah for you're kind of turd way socialist soros supporting idicracy.


47 posted on 06/02/2006 10:02:27 PM PDT by x5452
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To: JasonC; Romanov

Oh, you're one of those who deny Ronald Reagan won the Cold War. Like all keyboard commandos you need to be careful and not get your fingers dirty typing while real men stand up for their country.


48 posted on 06/02/2006 10:17:18 PM PDT by GarySpFc (Jesus on Immigration, John 10:1)
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To: spanalot
"your posts are limited to Uke and Pole bashing and Putie Pushing"

If few guys from let's say Mongolia came here and were posting "Russophobic" stuff (article from MSM about current events in Russia, which make Puti looks bad) then they would add Mongol bashing - Stalin was 1/16 Mongolian, antisemitism is growing in Mongolia, Mongolia wants to sell tractors to Iran, Mongols are xenophobic fascists etc.
49 posted on 06/03/2006 3:49:21 AM PDT by Grzegorz 246
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To: GarySpFc

Which is it Gary? If you have a straw, you can't suck and blow at the same time.

-------
"Firstly, my wife is Ukrainian/Russian, and grew up in a Ukrainian only speaking home. She is fluent in Ukrainian."



"To: The Lion Roars
My wife is Russian, and we maintain a second home in Volgograd. Last year there were many articles and posts in major newspapers regarding a monument to Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt. There was a big uproar and many on Free Republic and elsewhere were saying this signaled a revival of Stalinism in Russia...

Anyone who knows many Russians will tell you the only thing Russians respect about Stalin was he was their leader in WWII, which they won...

27 posted on 03/04/2006 6:14:25 PM PST by GarySpFc (de oppresso liber)
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50 posted on 06/03/2006 6:13:54 AM PDT by spanalot
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To: Romanov

Romanov,

Make up your mind - We're starting to wonder if you think you CAN suck and blow thru a straw at the same time.




"Seek help, you need it. I'm not a Pole or Ukrainian basher or a pro-Russian poster."


"What I am against is this ridiculous "pro-Ukrainian" anti-Russian crap that's posted ad infinitum ad naseum on a daily basis here."




Maybe you're in the wrong place - most people here like to see former communist countries like Poland and Ukraine join US in Nato.

Russians (and you) don't.

And the question remains, why would someone who spent 6 years interviewing Russian VietNam vets Not ever just once share some of the incredible insights from this secret war?


51 posted on 06/03/2006 6:43:34 AM PDT by spanalot
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To: spanalot

Sigh - you'll never get it because you've never done anything to battle communism. Instead you supported it by paying homage to the Soviet Union by visiting them in the "hey day" of Communism. But now, you claim to be a "commie fighter." Laughable.

France is in NATO too - are you saying they deserve our complete support or do they do things that aren't so friendly to the US. Ukraine won't be in NATO any time soon. Their people don't want to be in NATO. Read the polls, talk to the Ukrainians - you'll see a different picture than your WEstern Ukrainian nationalists paint. Of course, what does one expect when Western Ukrainian nationalist have such a sordid past that continues to this day (like naming the streets of Lvov [Lviv] after Chechen terrorists). The Poles, btw, are a good NATO partner, BUT, they're not perfect - they sell arms to nations that we do not consider friendly and to countries we may have to send our troops into one day. This is the same charge you and others correctly levy at the Russians, but when the Poles or Ukrainians do it- SILENCE from you.

Furthermore, you caterwhaul about Soviet genocide (which you try to paint as a "Russian genocide" - which shows you're not serious about wanting justice) when Ukrainians had a hand in the Soviet genocide AND the Nazi genocide. You repeated refusal to condemn Ukrainian participation in said crimes also shows you're only about spinning history to suit your Ukrainian nationalist agenda and disrespects the thousands of Americans who died defeating the Nazis. Of course, that is you typical behavior - condemnation of American veterans and military men.

REgarding Soviet participation in the Vietnam War. I've provided you the links that will lead to those "stories" you allegedly seek. If you are incapable of navigating the online database at the Library of Congress that is dedicated to that mission that's YOUR problem. I'm not going to spend any extra time locating information for you that is publically available.

Spin on Comrade Spinalot. Tell us more about your KGB ties, uh, I mean "KGB interrogation." Fellow Traveler.


52 posted on 06/03/2006 7:17:31 AM PDT by Romanov
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To: Romanov; Tailgunner Joe; Mazepa; romanesq; lizol; Lukasz

"REgarding Soviet participation in the Vietnam War. I've provided you the links that will lead to those "stories" you allegedly seek. If you are incapable of navigating the online database at the Library of Congress that is dedicated to that mission that's YOUR problem."

No Romanov, it is your problem. You are the one being perceived as defender of Russian aggression and I am trying to help YOU out.

You had an opportunity to substantiate your claim of being a vet that interviewed Russian Viet Vets for 6 years.

Now you tell us to search the Library of Congress for info on these interviews?

The only conclusion this allows us to make is that you have no first hand knowledge.


53 posted on 06/03/2006 7:42:14 AM PDT by spanalot
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To: spanalot

"You had an opportunity to substantiate your claim of being a vet that interviewed Russian Viet Vets for 6 years.

Now you tell us to search the Library of Congress for info on these interviews?

The only conclusion this allows us to make is that you have no first hand knowledge."

Are you really that ignorant? Firstly, I don't have to "justify" myself or hold myself up to the likes of you for "validation" of what I did in the service of my country. Secondly, I cannot provide you with first hand anecdotal information since I do not know who you are and for whom you work. With your admitted Soviet background, your loyalities are questionable. Thirdly, the easiest way for you to find out what I did is to check the links out I provide you on several occasions. I wrote or edited a great deal of what is on those pages. If that isn't satisfactory for you, I suggest you familiarize yourself with FOIA requests. If you're serious about learning how your Ukrainian and Russian brothers shot down our American servicement I suggest you seek this information like anyone else does. However, you and I both know you don't give a rat's patootie about anything unless it involved disparaging American veterans and furthering Ukrainian interests.

Lastly, you're not "trying to help me out" as I do not require any help. Were you a true blue loyal American instead of an Ukrainian nationalist out to further Ukrainian nationalism (to the detriment of American values and goals), you would understand the error of your ways.


54 posted on 06/03/2006 10:36:28 AM PDT by Romanov
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To: spanalot
Which is it Gary? If you have a straw, you can't suck and blow at the same time.

My wife is half Ukrainian and half Russian. Her father was Ukrainian and her mother Russian. She is from the Volgograd, Russia area, and in that sense her nationality is Russian. However, now she is now a naturalized American. Is that too complicated for you to handle? That said, I know your heritage is Ukrainian, but your emotions are hate filled, and your politics are clearly nationalist fascist.
55 posted on 06/03/2006 11:35:27 AM PDT by GarySpFc (Jesus on Immigration, John 10:1)
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To: spanalot
You had an opportunity to substantiate your claim of being a vet that interviewed Russian Viet Vets for 6 years.

Why do you continue to lie, lie, lie by implication? Don't you have a conscience? Romanov has made it perfectly clear his job in the Air Force as the head of the Vietnam missing in action team was to interview SOVIET officers, which included Ukrainians, Russians and others from the former Soviet Union. You will even find his picture on the web site he listed.
56 posted on 06/03/2006 11:40:56 AM PDT by GarySpFc (Jesus on Immigration, John 10:1)
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To: GarySpFc

"You will even find his picture on the web site he listed."

I saw no reference to any Air Force personnel in those photos.


57 posted on 06/03/2006 7:57:07 PM PDT by spanalot
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To: Romanov; Tailgunner Joe; lizol; Lukasz; Mazepa; romanesq

"Secondly, I cannot provide you with first hand anecdotal information since I do not know who you are and for whom you work. "

You must be joking. Do you mean to tell us the reason you refuse to say anything about the 6 years of interviews of Russian Viet Vets is because it is classified?

By whom, the Kremlin!


58 posted on 06/03/2006 8:01:24 PM PDT by spanalot
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To: spanalot

Let me put in clearer terms. I WONT share any anecdotal information with you because you cannot even get your terminology right and refuse to acknowledge Ukrainian involvement in the shooting down of American airmen. Further more, I cannot release any information to anyone unless it has already been released. You are the seeker of this information - I have pointed you to the place where you can get it. But we both know you're not really interested an any information about this mission - you just think you have some sort of lame way of "proving" I didn't spend the last six years working on this mission. The sad thing is there are others on here who have actually been able to figure out my identify based on what links I provided. You can't even manage that. Lame.


59 posted on 06/03/2006 8:33:45 PM PDT by Romanov
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To: Romanov

"Further more, I cannot release any information to anyone unless it has already been released."

Fair enough - just release the info that has already been released. We're just trying to help you.


60 posted on 06/03/2006 8:36:42 PM PDT by spanalot
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