Putin tells reporter to 'get circumcised'

ABC News ^ | 11/12/02 | staff

[ppaul]

Russia's media expressed has shock over a remark by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Russia-EU summit in which he urged a Western reporter asking about the war in Chechnya to come to Moscow and "get circumcised".

Mr Putin's comments, made at a closing press conference of the Russia-EU summit in Brussels, were played by TVS television station and republished by several major Moscow newspapers and Internet sites.

The Kommersant business daily reports Mr Putin was asked a Danish reporter why Russia was using mine warfare in the separatist North Caucasus republic and exterminating Chechen civilians.

Reports say Mr Putin became infuriated by the question and launched an unprecedented defence of the three-year Chechen war that at one stage went off on a tangent.

"You, if I am not mistaken, represent an ally [of the US war on terror] and are therefore in danger," Mr Putin told the reporter, according to a transcript that appeared in the Vremya Novostei daily.

"They [the Chechens] talk about killing non-Muslims and if you are a Christian, you are in danger. And even if you are an atheist, you are in danger," Mr Putin is quoting as saying.

"If you decide to become a Muslim - even then you are not safe, because traditional Islam contradicts the conditions and goals that they [the Chechens rebels] set.

"But if you are prepared to become the most radical Islamist and prepared to get circumcised - I invite you to Moscow.

"We have specialists that deal with this problem. I suggest that you do such an operation that nothing grows out of you again," Mr Putin reportedly said.

Mr Putin is known for his tough talk that at times becomes interlaced with slang used by criminals and the military.

He launched the war in the predominantly Muslim Chechen republic in October 1999 by threatening to "waste [the Chechens] while they sit in their outhouses".

Russian media say a Kremlin aide explained to reporters after the Brussels press conference that Mr Putin was tired during the summit after a hectic working schedule.

The wide coverage given to Mr Putin's remarks appears unusual for a Russian media that has grown to carefully toe the Kremlin line in recent months.

Advice dismissed

Meanwhile, Mr Putin has brushed aside European advice on a peaceful solution to the Chechen conflict, saying it had to be solved by the Russian and Chechen people alone.

"Of course we listen to advice from our colleagues in Europe," Mr Putin told a news conference in Oslo after talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who said he hoped for a peaceful, political solution in Chechnya.

But he added: "It is an internal Russian problem to be solved between the Chechen people and the Russian federation."

Russia has scrapped plans for a partial military pullout from the southerly province since Chechen separatists took a Moscow theatre hostage last month.

The siege ended with the deaths of 128 hostages and 41 rebels.

"We don't want to turn up our noses and say that others' opinions are irrelevant," Mr Putin said.

But he added: "The problem is so complicated that no one can give really good advice."

Mr Putin said Europe had some good examples of conflict resolution but that other conflicts had rumbled on unsolved in other parts of Europe for hundreds of years.

Mr Putin has shown no sign of reining in the Russian military in Chechnya, where thousands of people have died in almost a decade of fighting.

Mr Putin has said a new constitution and elections offer the best prospects of a swift resolution.

"The political process on Chechnya must continue," Mr Schroeder said.

Mr Putin and Mr Schroeder met in Oslo because Mr Putin cancelled a planned visit to Germany last month during the theatre siege. Both men were, by coincidence, on visits to the Nordic nation.

Mr Schroeder and Mr Putin also said a UN resolution seeking to disarm Iraq offered a chance of peace.

Shortly afterwards, Iraq's parliament voted to reject the resolution while leaving the final decision to President Saddam Hussein.

Mr Putin said he hoped Arab countries would bring pressure on Iraq to comply.

Mr Putin said Moscow was keeping up contacts with Baghdad but that only Saddam knew what Iraq would finally decide.

Mr Schroeder reiterated on Monday that Germany would not take part in any US-led attacks on Iraq if Saddam failed to comply fully with the resolution.

Mr Schroeder won popularity before his re-election in September by ruling out sending troops.

[Terriergal]

I don't reject it, I just don't believe it.

Same thing. I thought you said you were going to believe as I wanted you to? Why are you being a smart ass now after I told the other guys not to be smart asses to you?

[stuartcr]

So you know that they had kids prior to being kicked out?

[Terriergal]

No, at some point the suffering will end. I don't know when.

Everything is going according to the 'contingency plan,' (if you will) yes.

[Terriergal]

So you know that they had kids prior to being kicked out?

Notice I used the article "any" in front of kids.

[Terriergal]

How about "wimpy Muslims"?

OK, I'll let them know the next time I see them, but I don't think it will have any effect on them.

Let us know what happens. I expect an update.

[Terriergal]

well, I went along as long as you seemed open to actually carrying on a discussion but since you are not doing that anymore, all I can leave you with is your own smugness. You have a lot of links to get reading up on, I suggest you start... that is, *if* you are more interested in learning than in needling people you disagree with.

[Feiny]

Thanks for the quote Terriergal! I am not a religious person and have not read much of the Bible so that quote from dennis Prager surprised me. I knew it was true because he is a religious scholar, but I did not knwo the source.

P.S. I have a terrier, aren't they the best breed?

[Terriergal]

they are a breed group, actually. :-)\

Terrier Group

People familiar with this Group invariably comment on the distinctive terrier personality. These are feisty, energetic dogs whose sizes range from fairly small, as in the Norfolk, Cairn or West Highland White Terrier, to the grand Airedale Terrier. Terriers typically have little tolerance for other animals, including other dogs. Their ancestors were bred to hunt and kill vermin. Many continue to project the attitude that they're always eager for a spirited argument.

[Feiny]

Getting technical, eh? I own a red nosed red American Pit Bull Terrier. This is not my dog, but looks like her twin brother. Toby is looking for a foster home.

[Terriergal]

Getting technical... no, just clarifying. Never know people might think you can cross a border terrier with an Amstaf and get AKC registerable puppies... same breed isn't it? ;-)

Right now I have a 75lb Airedale mix. Looking into getting a Welshie. I am partial to fuzzy faces! Would love also to have a Border Terrier, a Jack Russell (rough coated preferably)...and a real Airedale... someday when we have a bigger house and our kids are older.

[A. Pole]

It's been around 1500 yrs, I would think that if they really wanted to kill us all, there would be a lot more dead by their means.

To be exact, Muslims do not want to kill non-Muslims, they want to enslave them or force to convert. Christians until recently were resisting and fighting back as a result Christians liberated Spain, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Russia, part of Armenia, Georgia. But liberating of other Christian lands like Syria, Asia Minor (Turkey) and North Africa failed and Christians are or being eradicated over there.

[Feiny]

Airedales are lovely and Border Terriers are just plain adorable. Jack Russels should come in two's....

For a big fuzzy face, try the Irish Wolfhound and for a small silly one...the Brussels Griffon. Not terriers, but still cute.

[Cascadians]

[ Fair Use: For Educational / Research / Discussion Purposes Only ]
http://www.msnbc.com/news/833891.asp

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he sees no room for European mediation in the Chechnya conflict

Putin suggests circumcision for a reporter

Russian’s outburst followed question about Chechnya

OSLO, Norway, Nov. 12 —  In a bizarre outburst, Russian President Putin said that Chechen rebels want to kill all non-Muslims and suggested that a French reporter who questioned the Kremlinís policy in Chechnya convert to Islam and come to Moscow for circumcision. The remarks were made Monday but were not fully translated when Putin spoke at an European Union gathering in Brussels, Belgium. The tenor only became clear after a full translation became available on Tuesday.  

"They talk about the need to kill all ... non-Muslims, or "crusaders," as they put it. If you are a Christian, you are in danger."
— PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN

“IF YOU WANT to become an Islamic radical and have yourself circumcised, I invite you to come to Moscow. Our nation is multiconfessional, we have experts in the field,” Putin said in response to a question from a reporter from the Le Monde newspaper.

Putin was in Brussels for talks with leaders of the European Union.

“I would recommend that he who does the surgery does it so you’ll have nothing growing back, afterward,” Putin said. Circumcision is a tenet of Islam for all males.

Putin spoke rapidly and with agitation, according to those who saw the outburst, and his interpreters translated his remarks only intermittently.

On Tuesday, Putin traveled to the Norwegian capital of Oslo, where he held more discussions on Chechnya with European officials.

Afterwards, he brushed aside European advice, saying the crisis had to be solved at home.

“Of course we listen to advice from our colleagues in Europe,” Putin told a news conference after talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who said he hoped for a peaceful, political solution in Chechnya. But he added, “It is an internal Russian problem to be solved between the Chechen people and the Russian federation.”

EXACT MEANING?

The exact meaning of what Putin had said Monday was not widely understood among the 450 journalists and only became clear on Tuesday when translated by The Associated Press from an audiotape of the news conference.

The full translation also was reported Tuesday in The New York Times, but Le Monde’s coverage in Tuesday’s editions did not mention Putin’s remarks.

Putin’s remarks to the Le Monde correspondent were in response to a question about the Russian army’s alleged use of heavy weapons against Chechen civilians.

The Russian president, a former KGB spy operative, spoke at great length about the dangers of Islamic fundamentalism. He said Chechen Muslims want a caliphate, or Muslim state, “on Russia soil.” Putin said that Islamic “radicals have much more ambitious goals. They talk about setting up a worldwide caliphate and the need to kill Americans and their allies.”

“They talk about the need to kill all ... non-Muslims, or ‘crusaders,’ as they put it. If you are a Christian, you are in danger,” Putin said.

“If you decided to abandon your faith and become an atheist, you also are to be liquidated according to their concept. You are in danger if you decide to become a Muslim. It is not going to save you anyway because they believe traditional Islam is hostile to their goals.”

In Moscow on Tuesday, the daily Kommersant said the summit “ended in a serious scandal” as a result of the Putin comments. It said Kremlin aides said Putin’s remarks were in response to a “provocative question.”

Gazeta.ru, a leading online publication, quoted unidentified Putin aides as saying the president was tired and angry for being peppered with questions about Chechnya.

---

“IF YOU WANT to become an Islamic radical and have yourself circumcised, I invite you to come to Moscow. Our nation is multiconfessional, we have experts in the field” ... “I would recommend that he who does the surgery does it so you’ll have nothing growing back, afterward,” Putin said.

OK, FReepers: What percentage of circumcised penises have the foreskin growing back?

[swarthyguy]

I think the growing back back referred to something a little more extensive than the foreskin. Maybe a translation issue..lol!

Human penises are not like lizard tails.

[Terriergal]

yes I like them too! Have wanted an IW too but no room! My dad's friend used to raise deerhounds. They were very sweet dogs from what I remember. they left me OUTSIDE with six deerhounds at the age of about 5. Needless to say, I was a little overwhelmed. They just stood around me licking me to death, though. I slowly made my way, with my halo of large grey hairy dogs, to the house, and went inside to escape the 'mauling of affection.'

[Cascadians]

Putin must have meant something specific with that remark. Is it a superstition? Wild and significant expression of his real feelings. Russians do not like Jihaters.

[Feiny]

There is a lady in my area who has both the Irish Wolfhound & the Scottish Deerhound. I am not sure which dog I like better...they are both really wonderful...and they were both rescues!

[shilohsvictory]

Not all Muslims want to kill people...

Me thinks this is symantics. Where are the muslims speaking out against the killing? Perhaps it could be better said:

"Not all Muslims are terrorists but all terrorists ARE Muslims."

[A. Pole]

I understand the appeal of believing in "all roads lead to God" --- but how do you explain Hitler and people bent on evil?

You are mistaken if you think that Nazis wanted to be evil. They followed their neo-pagan beliefs according to which they were on the side of good and we were on the side of evil. They thought that foundation of good is superior race and its purity expressed in pagan racialist religion or ideology.

Beliefs matter, mistaken beliefs lead to the wrong acts. Basically the acid test of what a person REAL beliefs are is the test of ultimate sacrifice - what are you ready to risk/give your life for. For your country and political system, for God or for family, for wealth or glory, for knowledge, liberty or social justice?

People who believe in nothing cling desperately to their lives, even at the cost of betrayal of friends, moral principles and dignity what can be visible during wars or other disasters.