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Re: U.S. in ‘pointless’ campaign in Iraq, Putin says
MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the U.S. war in Iraq was a 'pointless' battle against the Iraqi people, the latest jab at Washington from the increasingly confrontational Russian leader.
Speaking during an annual televised question-and-answer session, Putin was asked by a mechanic from the Siberian city of Novosibirsk for his thoughts on comments made several years ago by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who suggested that Siberia had too many natural resources to belong to one country.
'I know that some politicians play with such ideas in their heads. This, in my view, is the sort of political erotica that might satisfy a person but hardly leads to a positive result,' Putin responded.
'The best example of that are the events in Iraq '” a small country that can hardly defend itself and which possesses huge oil reserves. And we see what's going on there. They've learned to shoot there but they are not managing to bring order.
'One can wipe off a political map some tyrannical regime ... but it's absolutely pointless to fight with a people,' he said. 'Russia, thank God, isn't Iraq. It has enough strength and power to defend itself and its interests, both on its territory and in other parts of the world.'
Praises economic gains
Putin opened the session by reeling off a string of statistics showing the improvement of Russia's economy in the seven years he has been in office. Much of the economic growth has been due to high world oil prices.
He also said the country's birth rate was the highest it has been in 16 years and the death rate the lowest since 1999.
Thursday's session '” the sixth Putin has participated in since coming to office in 2000, was broadcast live on state-controlled TV and radio stations. In past years, it has lasted several hours and consists of people from around the vast country asking the president selected questions mainly on bread-and-butter issues.
A sampling of questions listed on a Web site set up by the broadcasters ranged from concerns about salaries for public sector workers to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and environmental worries.
Putin, who is widely popular among Russians for the stability and relative prosperity he has brought to the country, has sought to use phone-ins along with tightly choreographed, lavish television coverage to project the image of a leader responding directly to voters' concerns.
Last year Putin answered more than 50 questions in a three-hour session. Correspondents from the state-run networks chose questioners from among small crowds in towns and cities around the vast country; it was impossible to tell whether most questions were arranged in advance or if questioners were coached.
Others phoned in, submitted questions by e-mail or sent text messages.
© 2007 The Associated Press
Re: U.S. in ‘pointless’ campaign in Iraq, Putin says
It just sounds like he's trying to paint Russia as being as strong as the USSR was because they've lost the fear and respect they had in the 50s - 80s. Considering the USSR history in the region, I think he should probably keep his mouth shut on the issue.
Re: U.S. in ‘pointless’ campaign in Iraq, Putin says
It just sounds like he's trying to paint Russia as being as strong as the USSR was because they've lost the fear and respect they had in the 50s - 80s. Considering the USSR history in the region, I think he should probably keep his mouth shut on the issue.
Russia is a major player on the world stage. When the dollar crashes, Russia and not China fills the power vacuum. I find it laughable(and I'm sure Putin does as well) how the US(specifically the media) doesn't take Russia seriously. They are sitting on more oil and other energy sources than the rest of the world combined. Russia makes the middle east look like a puddle of oil at your local auto shop. They have the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, and Putin has rebuilt their military. Their navy is no longer corroded with rust in harbor.Their military is well rested while the US fights meaningless wars.
While the dollar loses value by the day, the Euro takes its place slowly as the world's top currency. While we pile on the debt by billions a day, Russia continues signing huge agreements with Euro and Asian countries building pipelines throughout the continent.
Russia not strong? Are you kidding? While we sit on a 9 trillion dollar and growing debt, Russia is up to its neck in money. They dont even know what to do with it. Their middle class is booming, while ten years ago their middle class didn't even exist anymore.
Just because Russia doesn't jump into ridiculous wars doesn't mean they aren't strong. Putin is very smart. He isnt going to do what the US and Russia did during the cold war and fight a bunch of proxy wars. He's going to sit back and let us kill ourselves.
