US militarism destabilising the world: Putin

Discussion in 'Politics' started by lightgigantic, Feb 12, 2007.

  1. lightgigantic Banned Banned

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    RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has berated the United States in a speech before senior American and European officials, saying that Washington's militarism had fostered global instability and forced vulnerable nations to seek nuclear weapons.

    In language sometimes reminiscent of the Cold War, Mr Putin accused the US of attempting to create a world in which it was free to ignore international law and impose its will.

    "We are witnessing an almost uncontained hyper-use of military force in international relations," he said on Saturday. "One country, the United States, has overstepped its national borders in every way."

    His litany of accusations was not unfamiliar. The Russian leader has been able to leverage high demand and prices for Russia's oil and gas into an increasingly assertive role on the world stage. But the tenor of his remarks sent a quiver through the hall.

    Participants said that they were widely resented by the hosts. One German questioner jokingly told Mr Putin he hoped that the President had not set off "another world war". In Washington, Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the National Security Council, said: "We are surprised and disappointed with President Putin's comments. His accusations are wrong."

    He said the Bush Administration expected to continue to co-operate with Moscow in areas such as counter-terrorism and reducing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

    The speech was a first for a Russian president at the increasingly high-profile Munich Security Conference. It was delivered with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates seated stoically in the front row.

    The symbolism was all the more stark given that it came on the new Defence Secretary's first formal trip to Europe and occurred at a conference once dominated by his predecessor, Donald Rumsfeld.

    US analysts said Mr Putin's remarks appeared timed to take advantage of the Bush Administration's struggles with Iraq policy and dwindling support at home.

    In the past he has lashed out at US criticism of Russia's human rights record, turning the tables last month to focus on the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

    Mr Putin did touch on some areas of common interest with the US. He criticised Iran for not responding positively to UN proposals to suspend its nuclear program. But he also defended Moscow's sale of anti-aircraft weapons to Tehran, and most of the address focused on perceived American unilateralism and hegemony.

    Arguing that the US was ignoring international law in its use of military power, Mr Putin said the legal constraints that once protected smaller, weaker nations were no longer viable.

    "This is very dangerous," he said. "Nobody feels secure any more.

    "Of course, such a policy stimulates an arms race," Mr Putin said. "The force's dominance inevitably encourages a number of countries to acquire weapons of mass destruction."

    http://www.theage.com.au/news/world...the-world-putin/2007/02/11/1171128813604.html
     
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  3. draqon Banned Banned

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    what can I say...Bush is a dumass and his new military strategist is a dumass too. I agree with putin.
     
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  5. Mr. G reality.sys Valued Senior Member

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    Putin is a whiny pos.

    Funny to watch so many people forget that the Soviets invaded everyone they could -- world destabilization be damned.

    Speaking of whiny...
     
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  7. draqon Banned Banned

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    ...yes Speaking of whiny...

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  8. mountainhare Banned Banned

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    Yeah. Because we all know that the Soviet Union of the 1960's is identical to the Russia we see today, which has been reformed by individuals such as Gorbachev and Yultsin.
     
  9. Mr. G reality.sys Valued Senior Member

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    I already did.

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