[LadyRuby]

Russia warns west not to interfere

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')ergei Ivanov, Russia’s defence minister, on Thursday warned the west to stay out of its internal affairs saying it would use its “military might” as a deterrent and a guarantor of its sovereignty. His comments came as President George W. Bush sought to put democratic freedoms in Russia back on the agenda for the Group of Eight summit in St Petersburg this weekend.

In an article published in Izvestia newspaper Mr Ivanov – a possible successor to president Vladimir Putin in 2008 – hailed Russia’s resurgence as a great power, underpinned by a triad of “sovereign democracy, a strong economy and military might”.

He said Russia must hold its own “in the face of those who criticise us or are our open enemies”. These, he wrote, can be divided into two camps of “soft” opponents and of terrorists. Mr Ivanov said some democratic states which criticised Russia for its authoritarianism “were unhappy about an independent, strong and confident Russia”.

Russia’s future depended on its ability “to provide adequate response both to attempts to exert foreign policy pressure and to direct aggression, including international terrorism”, he said, adding that in both cases “combat-capable, well-equipped and modern armed forces” would play “a priority role”.

...Speaking on the fringe of the US-German summit in Stralsund, northern Germany, German officials said Berlin was cautious about taking a confrontational approach towards Moscow, noting the county’s energy dependency on Russia and its important role in resolving conflicts including over Iran and North Korea.

[rwwff]

I think they're being a little overly touchy about verbal criticism; but otherwise, I don't see anything there but a strong, positive statement from a country which has only recently acquired a real national identity.

Why do you guys seem to dislike the idea of a strong, independent, and for the most part, peaceful Russia? I think its great. Weak counties do not for peaceful make.

[emersonbiggins]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('rwwff', 'W')hy do you guys seem to dislike the idea of a strong, independent, and for the most part, peaceful Russia?

[rogerhb]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('rwwff', 'W')eak counties do not for peaceful make.

[XOVERX]

Only folks complaining about the Russians are the neocons.

[rwwff]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('rogerhb', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('rwwff', 'W')eak countries do not for peaceful make.

[rwwff]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('XOVERX', 'O')nly folks complaining about the Russians are the neocons.

[rogerhb]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('XOVERX', 'O')nly folks complaining about the Russians are the neocons.

[gg3]

It never fails to amaze me how the neocons extol the virtues of competition, and then yowl like sick cats when they themselves are placed into competitive situations.

Sure, a strong Russia means competition on the world stage. And so what? Peaceful competition makes everyone stronger in the long run.

As for Bush "amonishing" Putin: Bush also played the *Taiwanese* national anthem when the *Chinese* leadership came to visit the USA. You can be quite sure the State Department knows the difference between the Republic of China (ROC) and the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) and knows not only their respective national anthems but plenty more including the dietary preferences of their leaders.

This was not a mere gaffe, it was either world-class incompetence, or a deliberate attempt at a snub with a sneer. The sheer immature hubris of inviting a world leader to your country and doing *that,* is about equivalent to picking your nose with your right index finger and pulling out a long sticky strand of snot just as you're about to shake someone's hand. Pardon the gross-out but the analogy fits.

So it's no wonder that the rest of the world thinks the US government is run by madmen that need to be contained.

[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('gg3', '
')This was not a mere gaffe, it was either world-class incompetence, or a deliberate attempt at a snub with a sneer.

[SoothSayer]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('gg3', 'I')t never fails to amaze me how the neocons extol the virtues of competition, and then yowl like sick cats when they themselves are placed into competitive situations.

Sure, a strong Russia means competition on the world stage. And so what? Peaceful competition makes everyone stronger in the long run.

As for Bush "admonishing" Putin: Bush also played the *Taiwanese* national anthem when the *Chinese* leadership came to visit the USA. You can be quite sure the State Department knows the difference between the Republic of China (ROC) and the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) and knows not only their respective national anthems but plenty more including the dietary preferences of their leaders.

This was not a mere gaffe, it was either world-class incompetence, or a deliberate attempt at a snub with a sneer. The sheer immature hubris of inviting a world leader to your country and doing *that,* is about equivalent to picking your nose with your right index finger and pulling out a long sticky strand of snot just as you're about to shake someone's hand. Pardon the gross-out but the analogy fits.

So it's no wonder that the rest of the world thinks the US government is run by madmen that need to be contained.