Oil addiction’s hidden costs

Next month, for the first time ever, the annual meeting of the world’s leading industrialized nations will be held in a country without a commitment to democratic values.

Russia was admitted to the Group of Eight during the 1990s when it seemed to be heading in the right direction.

Now, having grown increasingly autocratic under President
Vladimir Putin, it is its turn to play host.

Perhaps Russia’s actions – which have included press crackdowns and intimidation of neighbor countries – will be discussed when
President Bush and other leaders gather in St. Petersburg from July 15-17. But don’t count on it.

Efforts to raise these concerns have been met with a steely silence. Calls for suspending Russia’s membership in the G8 have gone nowhere. And Vice President Cheney’s speech in May critical of Russia provoked little response from fellow nation members, other than angry rejoinders from Moscow.

USA Today