Posted on 09/15/2004 10:22:50 AM PDT by priceofreedom
Russia rejects Powell's criticism, joins forces with Israel
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM Wednesday, September 15, 2004 HERZLIYA, Israel – While rejecting U.S. and EU criticism of its anti-terrorism reforms, Russia plans to adopt Israel's counter-insurgency methods in Moscow's war against Chechen rebels.
Russian officials said the government in Moscow has agreed to increase security cooperation with Israel and focus on counter-insurgency. The officials said the cooperation would include Israeli training and instruction on a range of issues, including aviation security and civil defense.
"We are being helped by your expertise in the field of aviation security," Vladimir Vasilyev, chairman of the Security Committee of Russia's parliament, told Israeli reporters.
Vasilyev and other Russian officials said security cooperation was already taking place, Middle East Newsline reported. They said teams from both countries were arranging meetings in an effort meant to learn the lessons of the Chechen takeover of a high school in North Ossetia in late August. Nearly 400 people were killed in the hostage episode.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, in an interview with Reuters, backed liberal criticism in Russia by saying the changes were "pulling back on some of the democratic reforms".
But Russia's foreign minister said Washington had no right to impose its model of democracy on others.
"First of all, the processes that are under way in Russia are our internal affair," Sergei Lavrov said.
"And it is at least strange that, while talking about a certain 'pulling back', as he (Powell) put it, on some of the democratic reforms in the Russian Federation, he tried to assert yet one more time the thought that democracy can only be copied from someone's model," Lavrov said.
Lavrov met Israeli leaders last week and signed an accord meant to pave the way for a joint effort against Islamic insurgency groups.
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I want to express my support that you're giving us to solve security isues," Vasilyev told Israeli reporters at an international conference in Herzliya, which ended on Tuesday. "We will also continue cooperation in the field of protecting public places and will use Israel's experience. To be smarter and tougher, we will have to prepare our citizens." Russian officials said Moscow was also examining the Israeli model of a civil guard, or auxiliary police, that can carry weapons and conduct searches.
They said this would require new legislation.
Israel and Russia also agreed to expand their intelligence exchange, particularly in the area of Islamic insurgency movements, officials said.
Officials said Israel would soon send a delegation of intelligence analysts to Moscow.
Yes but they have crumpets. The Russians do not. So that ends it.
If you read through the changes that are being proposed, they have yet to even go to the Duma, which in its own ways may not want them, since they favor smaller parties over larger parties, they are not that different from our dear allie Britian and our foe France. Many countries in Europe do not have a federal system but are yet republics...there is more then one way to build a society then our own and still have a republic.
No, that was the Soviet Union. Let us not forget a few facts: Arafat went 3 times to Moscow seeking backing for his own state in 2001. Not only did he not recieve it, but the last time he went he was met by a 3rd tier flunky, he returned the next day.
Further, it was under a popularly elected Clinton (second term at that) that Barak was convinced into arming the PLO with US bought weapons. Further, it was Powell in 2002-2003 who promised (though I am not sure if he delivered) $60 million to the PLO for it's "efforts" to stop terrorism.
Demographics amongst other things: Russians Jewish and Christian are 2 million strong in Israel. If each has but 10 people who care about them back in Russia that is a 20 million strong consistancy or in other words 1/7th of the population...to large to ignore. Arabs have been targetting Russians there for a while. Further, Russia now ships oil through the Israeli pipeline and has not only supplied Israel with military equipment but denied Yassar 3 times his backing for a state.
Good for the Russians. They are just handling things their own way, which I bet will be a lot more hardcore than ours. No PC for them. Plenty of it for us. I'll get a lot of gratification in the months to come from Russian bodycounts of terrorists I'm sure. Wish we had more...Najaf.... Could've bagged them all... Go Putin. Kill-em all, let God sort-em out..
My two cents:
Cent One: Powell, shut the hell up, you make America look stupid, your making it a habit!
Cent Two: America should support their civilian defense network and help arm lots of Russian civilians. Then, when/if Putin tries to go back to communism, the people can revolt (they seem to do this anyways, every 150 years)
Putin, the ex-KCB agent who has been publicly complaining for several years on how terrible if was when the Soviet Union collapsed. So he simply wants to eliminate popular elections and consolidate power in an all powerful central committee. I'm sure the Soviet Empire, Part II won't be nearly as evil as the one we fought for 50 years and President Reagan called the Evil Empire.
Exactly. The Russians have vast oil resources in Siberia but can't get to them. If we could exploit those and undercut OPEC the Muslims would be on their knees in two years.
"although I agree that Schroeder is a piece of %@#& He in no way compares to the maniac who directed the wholesale slaughter of 6 million Jews not to mention millions of others. so no, I dont agree with your statement at all."
That is your right, however, I do find it curious that only some are more equal than the rest of humanity.
I this kinda of like...awaking the "Sleeping Bear"?
I this kinda of like...awaking the "Sleeping Bear"?
No just the awakening of the disabled , blind and mentally challenged dragon.
I read in Russian paper (in Russian) that Putin is considering providing weapons for law abiding citizens (saying that criminals already have guns). People with concealed guns are less easy to be taken hostage.
Are you implying that Putin is very smart or what?
Now your talking! I was hoping that Iraq would be part of this plan as well.
some argue that our Patriot Act wasn't a great step towards freedom. btw, democracy = mob rule...
I wish W. had more to say in support of Putin and Russia.
He has! Several times in the last 2 weeks especially! And the AOL news artical about it yesterday, GWB told Putin he was concerned about new Russian plans but support him 100% on WOT! And him and Laura signed the book at the Russian Embassy, by the way, Kerry has'nt said anything at all about the massacre in Beslan. You just do'nt know how he feels about foreign policy toward Russia.But Kerry supporters are very critical of Putin's war on Chechen terrorism, which should say it all.
Thank you, Sharon, for your generosity, compassion, and charity.
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