US elite call for Russia’s expulsion from G8 (US congressmen 5th columnists for socialists)

Russian Journal ^ | November 26, 2003

[RussianConservative]

MOSCOW - In a reflection of rising anti-Russia sentiments in U.S. political circles, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, overstepped their bipartisan affiliations in November to send a joint, tough-worded proposal to the U.S. Senate, asking President George W. Bush to use his influence and exclude Russia from the G8, the elite club of world’s most advanced industrialized countries, measured by economic output.

Rep. Tom Lantos and Rep. Chris Kox are also preparing a similar proposal to be tabled before Congress soon, according to the Ekho Moskvy radio station.

Russia finally became a full G8 member at the Kananaskis Summit in Canada on June 27, 2002, after spending almost a decade with an observer status acquired at a similar summit in Denver, in the United States, in 1997.

The attacks on Russia gained a momentum at the Seventh Annual U.S.-Russia Investment Forum in the city of Boston in mid-November, when financier George Soros joined Richard Pearle, a former adviser to U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, in calling for expulsion of Russia from the G8 for failing to live up to the elite club’s main membership-eligibility criteria, according to reports in Western media.

Condemning Russia for what he termed the "political persecution" of former Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky — indicted on seven charges in October and since held in Moscow’s notorious Matrosskaya Tishina pretrial facility — Soros told the gathering at the forum that Moscow’s actions against Yukos have raised reasonable questions whether Russia really qualifies for membership in the G8, which is supposed to be a democratic organization, Associated Press reported. “To belong to the G8 is a privilege, which a country earns by being democratic. Not to express concern would be a dereliction of duty,” he said.

Soros — who has invested several billions of dollars in both business projects and philanthropic programs in Russia — said that the arrest of Khodorkovsky has raised doubts as to whether [President Vladimir] Putin is committed to building a democratic society.

The recent proposal submitted to the Senate, the McCain-Lieberman resolution, expresses a negative position on the Kremlin's selective persecution of its opponents, suppression of the free press and activities in Chechnya, according to news reports citing the Senate’s press office.

Working to expel Russia from the G8, the senators argued, according to Kommersant, “would be the U.S. leadership’s reaction to gross violations, because Russia’s membership in the G8 ought to be suspended till it stops suppressing political liberties, the independent press and supremacy of the law and demonstrates its adherence to the democratic principles that unite the G8.”

The United States will not turn a blind eye when attacks on democracy and a free-market economy threaten the freedoms of Russian people and the basis of the U.S.-Russian relationship, McCain said. “I believe it’s time for a strict, sober and, at the same time, impartial and cool-headed review of U.S. policy’s response to the budding authoritarian forces in Moscow and to send signals to Putin that non-democratic behavior will lead to the expulsion of Russia from the Western democracies.”

Lieberman said that Putin’s attacks on democracy violate the spirit of the G8 and contravene the G8-membership obligations Russia promised to fulfill when it joined the organization. “[Under such conditions], we have to use our leverage within the G8 to return Russia to a democratic path of development,” he added.

[RussianConservative]

So should it be taken, US stand with EU Soviets? US congressmen move against capitalist nation in socialist orgy..how nice.

[McGavin999]

Come on, you guys have to know what a nutcase John McCain is, and Lieberman is running for president. Both would love to have Soros behind them.

[Cicero]

Soros at work. Lieberman and McCain don't represent the administration.

[Darksheare]

Take McCain and LIEBIGman seriously?
NO.
Never.
No-one should ever take them seriously.

[Brian Allen]

<< US congressmen move against capitalist nation .... >>

"Capitalist nation?"

Now there's an Unknown Ideal!

Someone, perhaps a Russian, should write a book about it.

[gcruse]

Yes, this is ridiculous. As ridiculous as Russia stiffing the US over Iraq.

[Mo1]

Well this is interesting

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Soros at work. Lieberman and McCain don't represent the administration.

And McCain hates Bush. He has already demonstrated that he will do whatever possible to derail Bush, regardless of the affect of his actions on the (US) populace. This is why the Dims embrace him. IMO, he is insane.

[chudogg]

just because the russians have a flat tax does not make them a capitalist country, the russians aren't nearly a capitalist nation

[Reeses]

the elite club of world’s most advanced industrialized countries, measured by economic output.

Excluding government consumption France has less economic output than many US states. How is it they still qualify? They should be the first to get booted.

[RussianConservative]

Canada and now Italy smaller then Russia.

[RussianConservative]

True...but why they keep getting reelected...did not McCain pray for Clinton war to exterminate Christian Serbs? Did not McCaine felch Albanian mafia? Why no investigation?

[RussianConservative]

Russia on Iraq is deal of $9 billion debt and US support of terrorist regimes of Saudi and Pakistan. A bit different then corrupt oligarch arrested.

[navyblue]

My only comment is that if Lantos is for it, I'm agin it!

[RussianConservative]

Ahh so no sales tax, cut in bureacracy, many small business, anti monopoly laws, half VAT tax, low corporate tax and property rights not make capitalism? So what your definition?

[Paleo Conservative]

Keep Russia dump France!

[jimkress]

BUMP!

[reformedliberal]

They get re-elected by their constituency in their states. They keep the pork flowing in and otherwise aid and abet those who can support them in ways that advance their re-election.

This is just the American system.

As said, they are not representative of the Administration.

Soros is backing anybody whom he hopes can defeat Bush (won't happen, IMO).

Perle and Soros? THAT is odd. Hopefully, someone has some insight into that one. I haven't a glimmer on why Perle would back Soros on anything. Unless it was some background business deal where they had converging interests? Perle isn't officially part of the administration, just an advisor.

Russia has delivered on oil and Kyoto. I doubt very much that the administration would back them being kicked out of G8. More likely, just because Russia HAS backed the administration of a variety of economic issues, Soros, McCain and the rest would want to diminish them anyway possible. Soros is sticking his wallet into a lot of geopolitical messes, lately. At some point, he will over reach.

I agree w/the poster who characterized McCain as insane. I suppose he will run for the nomination again in 2008. SIGH.
He belongs to his very own exclusive political party, anyway.