Posted on 11/26/2006 9:19:04 AM PST by M. Espinola
Tensions between Britain and Russia burst into the open today when a leading Cabinet minister voiced criticism of President Putin's "huge attacks" on liberty and democracy.
Peter Hain, the outspoken Northern Ireland Secretary, indicated that relations with Moscow had hit a low as he exhorted the Russian leader to return to democratic processes.
His comments come as the Government has been treading carefully with Russia amid claims that the Kremlin ordered the poisoning of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko in London.
The Foreign Office asked Moscow on Friday to hand over any material which might assist Scotland Yard's inquiries into Mr Litvinenko's death.
In an interview with BBC1's Sunday AM, Mr Hain acknowledged today that relations between the two countries were "tricky".
He went on question President Putin's commitment to democracy and raised the killing of the investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Ms Politkovskaya was a prominent Putin critic and her death was being investigated by Mr Litvinenko.
Mr Hain, a contender for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party, said: "The promise that President Putin brought to Russia when he came to power has obviously been clouded by what has happened since including an extremely murky murder of a senior Russian journalist.
"And there's lots of things that have been happening in Russia which actually cast a cloud over President Putin's success in binding the place together and in achieving economic stability out of chaos.
"His success in binding what is a disintegrating nation together with an economy which was collapsing into Mafioso-style chaos ... his success in that must be balanced against the fact there have been huge attacks on individual liberty and on democracy and it's important he retakes the democratic road in my view."
Tony Blair has sought to avoid any kind of public confrontation with Moscow over human rights concerns, while tensions have developed over Russia's energy markets. The Government has been asking Russia to open up its gas and oil markets to foreign investment.
Don't know anything about Peter Hain, but I like what he's saying about Putin.
But...but...but, Bush looked in his eyes.
Bets on who will be next on Putin's list... anybody?
Bush had better get some glasses. I didnt buy that crap back then and I dont buy it now. I have yet to come across a Russian I can trust. Sorry if that doesnt sound very PC, but then again the truth hurts.
Cindy Sheehan
Michael Moore
Al Franken
Howard Dean
George Soros
One can have dreams cant they?
Actually both Bush and Cheney have been critical of Putin, from the Ukraine to the Baltics to Georgia and the WOT, ever since that remark.
No matter to you. You remember the small talk introductory line from six years ago and you post it.
even lying eyes can deceive people. Bush wants to beleive the best in people, yet is a realist enough to understand that what he is up against- He was trying to give the american public anm assurance he might not have felt himself totally- now we're beginning to see the REAL putin emerge, which to be honest I NEVER trusted the bloke- I've spent too many years spotting weasels & putin just fit the profile to a T. http://sacredscoop.com
But...he better look longer and closer.
Hopefully other Western leaders will take his lead of wisdom.
"Don't know anything about Peter Hain"
He's one of the more left wing of Blair's inner circle. Was very prominent anti-Apartheid protester in the 70's and 80's (his parents are South African iirc). Reportedly the only member of the cabinet to still maintain membership of CND.
"...
The thing is, ya see what you want to see,
and you hear what you want to hear. Ya dig?
Did you ever see Paris? No.
Did you ever see New Delhi? No.
Well that's it, ya see, what you want to see,
and you hear, what you want to hear.
And with that, the rock man fell sound asleep ..."
What is a pack drugged out "ex" hippie radicals going to do in terms of all these dangers America is confronted with now and heading into 2007? The hour is far more later then must even dream.
Two of those Evil Empire banners.
What Bush said back then was pure diplomacy. I doubt he really felt he could trust Putin but it was a peace offering in the hopes that good relations would develope. And to a certain degree they did for a while.
I agree absolutely
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