Putin Asks Whether West, U.S Trying to Isolate Russia

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBK90P433E.html

MOSCOW (AP) - President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia and the United States remain partners and had warm words for President Bush, but he said that he would like to know whether the United States was intentionally seeking to isolate Russia.

In a wide-ranging end-of-the-year news conference, Putin said the plan for elections in Iraq, which he said could not be fair amid a continuing U.S.-led occupation. He also assailed the United States for saying that Chechnya wasn't ready for elections even though it was sponsoring elections in Iraq.

"I have strong doubts that it's possible to create conditions for democratic elections (in Iraq) when its entire territory is occupied by foreign troops," he said.

But Putin said his personal relationship with Bush remained strong, but showed irritation about U.S. criticism of the Kremlin's political restructuring proposals, which include an end to direct elections for governors.

more

[Plaid Adder]

1. Silly Putin. The USA is trying to isolate ITSELF.

Russia just happens to have gotten caught up in the crossfire.

Our President...working night and day to ensure that we don't have a single ally left in the world.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

2. Took the words right out of my mouth!

Waiting to hear when we outsource the wall/fence to Israeli contractors

DBDB

[mr_hat]

3. This message is for internal consumption, IMO. >

Putin needs to continue to be perceived as standing up for Mother Russia, so he sows fear and doubt to cover for his isolationist bent.

[clapton]

4. Mr. #2 Oil Man... Watch Out!

His value has just increased around the world... New source of income could be China? Imagine: the Bear dancing with the Dragon...

Who will eat who after the dance is over?

Stand by... we will find out after a few messages from our sponsors.

Good Night, Gracie...

[0007]

5. Where in the world do these leaders come from? Organized crime?

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=355340

More....Putin said Thursday he would challenge President Bush when they next meet over whether Washington was trying to "isolate" Russia. The Kremlin leader also implied criticism of Washington's Iraq policy saying he doubted that planned elections there would be democratic while the country was under full occupation.

During the three-hour news conference that touched on a wide range of issues, Putin voiced continued support for the war on terror, but sniped at Washington over Iraq where he opposed the U.S.-led military invasion.


Good photo of those eyes that junior looked into and saw Putin's soul

[clapton]

6. Forest knows...

"Mama always said life was like a box a chocolates, never know what you're gonna get."

Forest Gump

[teryang]

7. Ya think?

Isolating russia? Breaking it apart is more like it.

[CHIMO]

8. President Lashes Out at the West

By Simon Saradzhyan and Nabi Abdullaev
Staff Writers

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused the West of using double standards to pressure Russia's allies in other former Soviet republics and foment velvet revolutions there, saying he wondered whether Western countries are trying to isolate Russia.

While more or less at ease with questions on domestic policies, he turned more emotional and blistering when defining Russia's foreign policy. In his criticism of the West, Putin mostly focused on the European Union and particularly Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, who said in a recent newspaper interview that "Russia without Ukraine is better than Russia with Ukraine" for the United States.

"If we interpret this as striving to limit Russia's ability to develop relations with its neighbors, then it means a desire to isolate the Russian Federation," Putin said.

"If that is the case, then the policy toward Chechnya becomes more understandable ... a policy aimed at establishing elements that would destabilize the Russian Federation," he said.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2004/12/24/002.html

Do you get the message NATO?