Vladimir Putin gave his final annual Press Conference as Russian President on Thursday.
According to Kommersant, at more than four hours, it was his longest ever and, as usual, Vladimir Vladimirovich has thrown out plenty of media-worthy quotes to excite press interest. Some crude, some scary, some twee.
To give you a flavour of the event, I’ve compiled some of my favourite quotes from the press conference and grouped them together around a few key themes.
On political leadership
It seems as though Putin wasn’t impressed with Hillary Clinton’s recent quip about his not having a soul. When asked what he thought of Clinton he quickly snapped back:
“A state official must at least have brains.”
Current President George W Bush, on the other hand, is clearly Putin’s soulmate:
“Sometimes you have to make decisions that nobody else can make… Do you think Bush has it easy?”
In his own job, Putin confessed that he works “like a galley slave”, but didn’t ask for any sympathy:
“Heads of state have no right to whinge, or drool for any reason… If they are going to slobber and blow snot and say things are bad, bad, then that’s how it will be.”
I don’t know about you, but to me those sound like the words of a man with a cold.
On being the richest man in the world
For a while now an unsubstantiated story has been floating around about Putin’s $40 billion wealth – his alleged ill-gotten gains from 8 years in the Kremlin. Putin clearly isn’t impressed by the man who has been spreading the rumours, bringing out the snot reference yet again:
“They picked it [the story] out of their noses and smeared it on paper.”
But in one sense, he really is the world’s richest man:
“That is true. I am the richest man in Europe and the whole world. I collect emotions. I am rich because the people of Russia have twice entrusted me with the top position in such a great country as Russia. I think this is my greatest wealth.”
On the future
Of course, the main question on everyone’s lips was “So, what are you going to do after the election, Vladimir Vladimirovich, when you have to move out of your shiny Kremlin office?”
For a change, Putin was willing to talk. Here’s a collection of his comments – I’ll leave it for you to judge what he meant:
“I know how the head of state’s job is set up, and assure you that our relations will be quite harmonious. I will never step in for the head of the government. I consider that damaging and counter-productive.”
“I should not cry but be happy that I have the opportunity to work in another capacity, and in another capacity to serve my country. I will be involved in the same tasks as when I was president. I will continue working.”
“The premiership is not a transitional post,” he said. “If I can see that in this capacity I can fulfill these goals, I will work as long as possible. There is no other answer.”
“I was never tempted to stay for a third term. Never,” he said. “From my first day of work as president I decided for myself that I would never violate the existing constitution. [...]
Some are addicted to cigarettes, some, God forbid, to drugs, and some become addicted to money. They say that the worst addiction is to power. I have never felt that. I have never been addicted to anything.”
“The president is the guarantor of the constitution. He sets the main directions for internal and external policies. But the highest executive power in the country is the Russian government, headed by the prime minister”
On Foreign Affairs
As you’d expect, Putin was blunt, possibly even confrontational when stating his views on foreign policy. He certainly pulled very few punches. On US plans for a missile shield based in Poland and the Czech Republic he threw out a nuclear threat:
“Our experts believe that the system threatens our national security. If it appears, we will have to react adequately. We will probably have to retarget our missiles against those objects which threaten our security.”
In a move that will please many, Putin drew parallels between independence for Kosovo and other struggles for national liberation around the world. Surprisingly, though, he shied away from traditional examples, such as Trans-Dniester, and instead cited Cyprus:
“I don’t want say anything that would offend anyone, but for 40 years northern Cyprus has practically had independence,” Putin said. “Why aren’t you recognizing that? Are you not ashamed in Europe of the double standards you are applying to settle problems?”
“I will yet again emphasize that we consider that unilateral support for independence for Kosovo is immoral and illegal.”
The greatest disdain, however, was reserved for those who want to monitor Russia’s Presidential election for compliance with ‘democratic’ standards.
“Let them teach their wives to make cabbage soup”
Indeed. At this rate, I’m going to need to update my Putin quotes to live your life by article.
Update: A full transcript of the press conference can be found at kremlin.ru. Thanks to Ger for the link.
About Andy Young
Some articles on the post’s topic:
http://www.russiaprofile.org/page.php?pageid=Politics&articleid=a1203020396
http://www.russiaprofile.org/page.php?pageid=Politics&articleid=a1202995990
Which leader (or leaders) from another “major” (France, UK, US, China, Germany, Japan) country (or countries) does (or do) a better job than Putin, when it comes to having a responsive attitude with the media?
—————————————————————————
“I will yet again emphasize that we consider that unilateral support for independence for Kosovo is immoral and illegal.”
****
Agree.
Which leader (or leaders) from another “major” (France, UK, US, China, Germany, Japan) country (or countries) does (or do) a better job than Putin, when it comes to having a responsive attitude with the media?
I’m not sure about Gordon Brown, but Tony Blair used to hold monthly press conferences. The questions tended to be pretty tough because most in the press thought he was a bit of a smarmy git. You can find a sample from 2007 here:
http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page10763.asp
And, of course, the opposition used to try to crucify him each Wednesday, live on TV, during Prime Ministers Questions.
Thanks for the feedback.
US press conferences involving the president and other American government organs are known for being rather managed at times.
Amy Goodman established a reputation as the pain in the ass outside the mainstream journalist, who asked the questions others wouldn’t dare raise. If I’m not mistaken, this has led to her being taken off some gatherings.
Also, note Bush being caught off the record calling a NYT reporter an asshole for the reason of that journalist being perceived as a staunch critic.
Regarding the recent press conference: in fairness to Putin, he wasn’t the one who raised Hillary Clinton’s not so flatering comment about him. A number of Americans felt he gave an appropriate reply to her unkind remark about him. I thought Putin handled the Polish journalists’s questions relatively well.
The contemporary Russian political system iz what it iz (some NY lingo). It appears an improvement from the last decade and isn’t etched in stone. United Russia shows signs of becoming a more openly diverse thinking party. Other Russian political movements exist, albeit problematically. Non-Democrats/non-Republicans have similar problems in the US.
Russian government funded English language media/public relations projects will hopefully improve over time. Mainstream Russian views have some valid points, which should ideally exist with as great an intelligent presence as possible. This includes understanding the opposite spin and how to best approach it.
Following up on some earlier comments:
A recent BBC telecast acknowledged that the anti-Saakashvili opposition had complaints with the way the OSCE conducted its monitoring of the recent Georgian election.
The OSCE is far from being perfect and should therefore be open to valid criticism. An interesting read of recent events in Georgia at:
http://www.bhhrg.org
BTW, during the recent Russian Duma vote, RTTV gave plenty of air time to the opposition (Zyuganov, Kasparov, Limonov, Yavlinsky), which didn’t hold back in stating their negative views of the election process.
“Putin is a soldier, no doubt, and he acts and sounds like one. He’s only a few steps from the lads we see pyani at Park Pobyedi in summertime.”
If I recall correctly, Putin has never been a “soldier”. As a matter of fact, when Putin was a student at Leningrad University in the early 70s(Law) he was enrolled in the “faculty of military matters”. This saved him from being drafted and having to serve in the forces. What he was obliged to do was to participate in the “reserve officers trainig course” at university and later was “awarded” the rank of a lieutenant (reserves). [Source: Vladimir Putin - A biography, by Alexander Rahr]
“Pyani” ? Like ?????, as a result of a ?????? ?
Well, according to Alexander Rahr’s authorised Putin biography, Putin was very fond of drinking German beer while being assigned to the KGB’s office in Dresden / Germany. The local KGB agents had their favourite pub there, called “Am Thor”, where Putin regularly downed quite a few beers. He was only seen drinking Vodka on special occasions, to the disliking of the waiter he brought his own bottle. Until today, the pub has “Putin’s Corner”, the corner where Putin used to sit.
Putin himself admits having drunk about 4 liters of beer per week back then. His East German counterparts of the vaunted STASI considered Putin being “a rather unusual Russian” for drinking much less than the other KGB agents, and for regularly seeing him pour his Vodka into a flowerpot during the “official parties” the STASI arranged for their friends (KGB).
So I don’t really think that Putin will end up being one of the veterans sitting in ???? ?????? in the near future.
Did someone mention the OSCE? I’ll never miss an opportunity to pimp for the best potty-mouthed site on russia (in english, and El Russoprobe doesn’t count as it is strictly within the sphere of entertainment):
Who Killed The OSCE?
http://www.exile.ru/articles/detail.php?ARTICLE_ID=14536&IBLOCK_ID=35&phrase_id=15622
How do you spell Hypocrisy? O-S-C-E
http://www.exile.ru/articles/detail.php?ARTICLE_ID=7149&IBLOCK_ID=35&phrase_id=15622
I see Putin as a white rabbit handler, aka a magician, who like spooks are drawn towards the sleight of hand. Maybe I should add finance ministers too?
Still, I wonder if he is upset that Ahmadein Najad’s double act with Dubya puts them both way ahead in the comedy stakes?
Andy, any chance of a death count off? I.e. how many deaths can be directly and indirectly accountable to both US and Russian foreign policy spheres of influence? I’m afraid that Putin might loose that one….
As previously noted, the post-Soviet score of attacking other countries is: USA 2 – Russia 0
Regarding Russian political parties, reference the earlier mentioned RTTV coverage of the last Duma vote. Lavelle made note of Russian parties requiring a certain number of signatures.
In the US, the Repub.-Dem. dominance is often explained in terms of many Americans not willing to go far in opposing that status quo. This despite many of them not limking it.
People the world over have similarities. Differences do exist. It’s important to properly understand them. A not so easy precise task, since it’s a soft science, open to opinion.
Regarding Putin and Germany:
Putin is known to be a Germanphile. A number of Russians are. Despite being on opposite ends in two world wars, Russia and Germany (especially Russia and Prussia) have had periods of close and rather friendly ties.
I recall a NYT article from awhile back, discussing a Jewish friend of Putin’s questionihng him on Germany. Putin’s answer was something along the lines of how Russia can’t be solely blamed for the Soviet past; much like how Germany hasn’t been the only problematical country on the European continent. The USSR couldn’t have succeeded without many non-Russian supporters. Likewise, the Nazis had their share of non-German allies.
Chechnya isn’t a country. Fact. Russia had ample reason to take military action in that Russian republic. This doesn’t excuse the way the two post Soviet wars in Chechnya were conducted.
Regarding those two wars, genocide is an inappropriate description regarding Chechnya and Chechens.
Pardon the digression:
“You can’t necessarily trust a Russian, but you can always trust a Russian to be a Russian.”
How would the above quoted be treated if read as:
“You can’t necessarily trust a Jew, but you can always trust a Jew to be a Russian.”
and-or:
“You can’t necessarily trust a Black, but you can always trust a Black to be a Black.”
Selective Sensitivity 101
Edit from last post (second quote):
“You can’t necessarily trust a Jew, but you can always trust a Jew to be a Jew.”
Paging a certain human rights attorney who has willingly appeared at the venue where the first quoted (from last post) is stated.
That guy had the gall to falsely accuse me of something negative, which I’m clearly not. On top of it, he said he wasn’t familiar with my work. Yet, he simultaneously felt familiar enough to make a falsely negative comment, in what I took as a foolhardy attempt to smear me.
From top to bottom:
“As previously noted, the post-Soviet score of attacking other countries is: USA 2 – Russia 0″
CORRECT
On Chechnya, Dudyaev made reasonably clear what he was and wasn’t willing to do. During his rule, the lawlessness in Chechnya increased. Countries have a right to combat such turmoil. As for the use of the word “geoncide”, in recent history, can the Americans and Israelis be accused of doing the same? I’m looking for an even application of the term. Regarding Chechnya, Russia wasn’t looking to wipe out Chechen identity and it’s not balanced to gloss over the clear wrongs of the Dudayev and Maskhasdov regimes.
One should be careful when making collective impressions of different peoples, since it isn’t 100%. Having said that, among Russians and Germans, there seems to be a good consensus in terms of recognizing that there’s a good deal of dreck to be found all over.
BTW, my father’s mother’s side are Baltic-German Jews, Vilnius via East Prussia (Danzig, now Gdansk Poland). They were very assimilated into Prussian culture. My father’s father’s side are Russian Orthodox Christians from St. Pete. My grandfather married my grandmother in clear contradiction of the kind of stereotypes generally presented.
Actually they call it “The Great Patriotic War”. But yes, the present relations between Germany and Russia are great. And they are improving constantly. Russians not referring to present day Germans being “the fascists”, and Germans not referring to present day Russinas being “the bolsheviks”, indicates that both countries finally arrived in the 21st century while other countries are obviously still stuck in the past. A past which is, by no means, significantly less bloodstained than the fascist / bolshevik periods in Germany / Russia. And as Russia and Germany move along, the attributes formerly assigned to them are now assigned to others. The fascists / bolsheviks of the 21st century no longer live in continental Europe.
“As previously noted, the post-Soviet score of attacking other countries is: USA 2 – Russia 0?
True, but the post-Soviet score of attacking one’s own country = USA 0 – 1 Russia.
A clear victory
Russia was responding to clear problematical issues within a part of its country.
Nations have certain rights when it comes to policing its own internal situations.
This shouldn’t be confused with attacking other countries on more questionable grounds.
The fact of the matter is that in the past deacde, Chechnya TWICE had great autonomy, which was regretfully abused in a way that needed to be addressed.
The Turkish inhabited Kurds haven’t come close to having the kind of autonomy Chechnya has experienced.
A reminder of this earlier presented set of comments at this thread:
“Andy, any chance of a death count off? I.e. how many deaths can be directly and indirectly accountable to both US and Russian foreign policy spheres of influence? I’m afraid that Putin might loose that one….”
****
I take it to mean that Russia is meant to mean in the post-Soviet period.
Mike, I’m not looking for comparisons, which you use all the time. I’m taking about an amazingly vicious war against not only Chechen rebels, but Chechen AND Russian civilians. Dudaeyev wanted negtiotions with Yeltsin; as an elected leader of a Russian republic, he was entitled to that. And I dont know why you’re parroting that 2-0 stat again. Its the same for internal Russian conflict so overall that makes it Russia-2 USA-2. The Yanks werent dumb enough not to murder their own people – and MURDER is exactly what the Russians did in Chechnya. But you the Russophile excuse that.Good man yourself. As well as the Serbs. You’ve got quite a gig going there for yourself. Mind you looking at RT I think you might be an improvement.
”Nations have certain rights when it comes to policing its own internal situations.”
This comment would be funny if the subject wasnt so serious. Can you imagine London levelling Newcastle-Upon-Tyne with fighter bombers because of rowdy Geordies? Or Dublin blowing away Cork cos the people there are a pain in the arse? Good grief! Note to Mike: Those little model MiGs and Sukhois, they look cute, dont they? Well, guess what, the grown up ones KILL REAL PEOPLE!
”Actually they call it “The Great Patriotic War”.” I never said they didnt. What I said was they refer to the German invaders as Facists, not Germans. But I agree entirely with what you said – in fact many of our own citizens here are stuck in an anti-Brit past, though it is diminishing. It simply amazes me how positive towards the Germans the Russians are, considering all that happened. In fact I would think that Russia’s best friend in the West is probably Germany.
”BTW, my father’s mother’s side are Baltic-German Jews, Vilnius via East Prussia (Danzig, now Gdansk Poland). They were very assimilated into Prussian culture. My father’s father’s side are Russian Orthodox Christians from St. Pete. My grandfather married my grandmother in clear contradiction of the kind of stereotypes generally presented.”
So are you Jewish or Orthodox, if that isnt a rude question(genuinely excuse me if it is). Why do you feel such a strong attachment to Russia, when you’re made in the USA? Attachment to countries abroad is something I’ve never understood in Americans, possibly cos I’m total Paddy.
Gross double standards are presented on a regular basis. For accuracy sake, it is quite appropriate to detail the particulars on such matters. On the other hand, it is extremely disingenuous to willingly accept such a status quo and attack those individuals who earnestly detail the fault lines.
Dudayev talked a good deal of bullshit. At best, he could not completely control the situation in Chechnya. At worst, he was a contributor to the lawlessness there. There is evidence showing both those suggestions. Civilians die in conflicts where one or more of the warring parties reside with civilians. Singling out Russia on such a point is hypocritical. The fire bombing of Dresden, the A-Bomb droppings over Hiroshima and Nagasaki are extreme examples of targeting civilians. In Chechnya, the terrorists often resided in civilian areas.
You are so full of shit with your incessant anti-Serb/anti-Russian pronouncements and yes RTTV would definitely improve with my active and constructive involvement with that organization. Anglo-American actions in Iraq, Turkish behavior towards Kurds and Israeli strikes against their opponents have been far from pristine. So much for your hypocrisy.
I am what I am – a multi-ethnic product, created in a melting pot of a country. I am everything that the Izetbegovic regime claimed to be to a Western audience. Only my claim is the more reality based. In the American mass media, academic and political establishments, there has been a good deal of bias against Russia. I take pride in having a seemingly natural inclination to speak out against wrong.
On the subject of gross biases:
Re: “Peace in our time.”
While not being similar in some aspects: a possible 1938 like scenario is at play, involving the same countries willing to violate the territory of a nation.
What happened to Czechoslovakia in 1938, played a role in what was to occur in Poland a year later.
Likewise, the granting of an independent Kosovo serves to enhance existing problems.
The main problem being the hypocritical standards some use to determine which territory does and doesn’t achieve independence.
The Absurdity of “Independent” Kosovo
http://www.counterpunch.org/szamuely02152008.html
Earlier article on the same subject:
Debunking the pro-Kosovo Independence Claims
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/52219
Comparisons, comparisons, comparisons, same old, same old, do you have any other strings in your bow? Clearly not. Quite how what happened in Dresden, Hiroshima etc makes what happened in Chechnya passable is beyond me, sorry. And it is obvious that this ranting of yours is the chief reason, alongside poor writing, that you are not a full-time paid journalist.
I’m quite certain after reading what you’ve written that you know little or nothing of Chechnya, and it makes me wonder about everything else you say, even stuff I’d have given you the benefit of the doubt in. Like it or not, you’re a crank and are likely to remain so.
“It simply amazes me how positive towards the Germans the Russians are, considering all that happened.”
I think it’s not amazing at all. *What is happening today* and *what we would like to happen in the future* is definitely more important than *all that happened in the past*.
“In fact I would think that Russia’s best friend in the West is probably Germany.”
From my point of view this assessment is entirely correct.
Things are going great, and they’re only getting better. The future’s so bright, we gotta wear shades
The below comes from an idiot troll, who is unable to successfully defend his wacked out views. Note how he has served as a willing idiot for some other cranks like the one (Chris Doss) who rather cowardly left the SL threads:
Comparisons, comparisons, comparisons, same old, same old, do you have any other strings in your bow? Clearly not. Quite how what happened in Dresden, Hiroshima etc makes what happened in Chechnya passable is beyond me, sorry. And it is obvious that this ranting of yours is the chief reason, alongside poor writing, that you are not a full-time paid journalist.
I’m quite certain after reading what you’ve written that you know little or nothing of Chechnya, and it makes me wonder about everything else you say, even stuff I’d have given you the benefit of the doubt in. Like it or not, you’re a crank and are likely to remain so.
Using the troll’s own selectively applied “logic” (in prior posts of his), he’s in no legitimate position to critique me; due to his not having achieved anything of great significance.
In an earlier post, he tried to belittle my accomplishments with the lie that 99% of my work is on blogs. 100% of his “work” (trolling) is done on blogs.
Like a slime ball coward, he engages in a troll patrol pack of out and out personal attacks having nothing to do with the actual subject matter.
So much for losers like him.
Its simply amazing for me – coming from a country with a long history of trouble with Britain that a lot of people wont forget. Its a great example to everyone.
”Things are going great, and they’re only getting better. The future’s so bright, we gotta wear shades”
Its a brilliant song, heard it only last nite on an 80s show on the radio)
Mike, many times I have debunked your view on Chechnya – pretending that hasnt happened aint gonna make it disappear.
As this thread shows, you did nothing of the sort.
”Using the troll’s own selectively applied “logic” (in prior posts of his), he’s in no legitimate position to critique me; due to his not having achieved anything of great significance.”
Actually I’ve been published scientifically once, in the world’s most imporant toxicology journal, and the work I did was a world first – I was the first chemist to detect recombinant human erythropoietin in greyhound samples. It became a national scandal in Ireland after I’d found some real positives. Bear in mind this work was done as a hobby – I had to to do a normal day’s lab work apart from this, and its just one chapter of my PhD.
http://www.jatox.com/abstracts/2006/nd/663-healy.html
Any peer reviewed papers, Mike? Any world firsts?
I’m talking about former Communist bloc topics. On a number of them, you’re quite ignorant.
What you bring up doesn’t relate to the topics I comment on.
To use a troll tactic of yours: prove it! (not that I really care)
Link your purported great works, while noting that they don’t relate to the topics I discuss.
You said I achieved nothing of significance – I would say in my field I have done much more than you. Again, a simple question – have you published any double-blind peer-reviewed papers?
”What you bring up doesn’t relate to the topics I comment on. ”
Certainly. What I do is far too grounded in empirical reality for you.
The troll is busted once again, as he didn’t link any of his purported works; which in any event have nothing to do with the SL related topics I comment on.
Has the troll ever been a panelist on the BBC and-or had his work picked up by Reuters, News Now and The Russia Journal (among other recognized sources)?
Once again. note the troll’s displayed “logic” (stupidity). Upon being unable to successfully backup his idiotic views, he brings up purported achievements in another field; having nothing to do with the the former Communist bloc topics discussed at SL. My being able to likely out lift, out hit and out run him, has nothing to do with the the former Communist bloc topics I discuss.
The poor boy is in need of some serious help.
A correction:
http://www.jatox.com/abstracts/2006/nd/663-healy.html
Wuhpty do! I’ve had more former Communist bloc material picked up at numerous venues, dealing directly with such matter.
The troll’s above linked work has NOTHING to do with such matter; thereby firmly substantiating what I’ve said about him.
Let me add that unlike the troll, I don’t make a habit of stating idiotic comments on subject matter I know little about.
The troll substantiates that having a Phd isn’t the end all for being intelligent in fields away from his/her study. Sometimes, the given Phd isn’t always so expert in some areas related (directly or indirectly) to their academic field of study.
These rationally expressed views have been confirmed to me by Phds in fields involved with former Communist bloc studies. Brzezinski said as much during a recent CSPAN segment. Likewise with some other Phds, not known for sharing his views.
Mike, with respect, one scientific paper, double-blind peer reviewed, is worth far more than a ton of half-arsed articles picked up by blogs and newswires. And you were likely paid a very small fee for the tiny minority of those that made it to Reuters -I did mine pro-bono,as my research was extra on top of normal work. Again I ask you, have you ever been published in a peer-reviewed journal, eg an academic publication? And dont give me that crap about PhDs -its like your rubbish about not speaking Russian. And calm down that ranting tone – your dumb-ass pass degree isnt fooling anyone, no matter how loud you roar.
Go get your PhD Mike, during which process you’ll have to have been published in an academic journal. Articles is crank blogs and the odd trip to Reuters wont get you that job, but a PhD will. You seem to have so much time on your hands -why dont you apply for research funding? I bet Sean Guillory has plenty of papers published.
So, in academic published works the score is:
Ger Clancy 1, Mike Averko 0.
Unlike you, I dont pretend to be Linus Pauling.
I can just see this idiot in a court of law being asked a case related question, having NOTHING to do with his stated academic background. Based on his pathetic performance here, he would be inclined to babble on about his stated achievements in a field not related to the hypothetical court case example.
All the Phds in the world are no cure for his displayed idiocy.
With his boyfriend Chris Doss gone, he now keeps a warped score, revealing his fantasy land.
Once again:
Let me add that unlike the troll, I don’t make a habit of stating idiotic comments on subject matter I know little about.
”Let me add that unlike the troll, I don’t make a habit of stating idiotic comments on subject matter I know little about.”
Again, this from the man who doesnt know what an aul is or when Chechen war 1 started. Yet he claims expertise on it, when he doesnt even have PUNTER standard expertise, never mind pundit level.
Again, it begs the question – please validate your expertise with some academic background – have you ever been published in a double-blind, peer-reviewed academic journal, in your chosen field of the FSU?
” can just see this idiot in a court of law being asked a case related question, having NOTHING to do with his stated academic background.”
As a matter of fact, I’ve had to appear as a witness many times in court, as I’ve done the confirmatory analytical work on around 400 positive cases. We’ve never lost a case.
What you do outside the field of former Communist bloc studies isn’t pertinent to what I comment on. Mentioning such instances at this thread is a bit wacked since it’s totally unrelated to what SL typically discusses. Your not being able to grasp these very basic points reveal your intellectual limits.
In point of fact, you were unable to support whatever your opposition is to my points about Chechnya. Not even close.
Regarding this non-SL topic link you gave:
http://www.jatox.com/abstracts/2006/nd/663-healy.html
It lists numerous names besides your own. Is that the best you could do? Link your best solo article on the subject (not that I really care to know). Regardless, you haven’t done much if anything in terms of providing formal commentary on former Communist bloc issues.
—————————————————————————
Andy:
Forgive me for getting back on topic. You note that Putin mentioned other territories and not Pridnestrovie (Trans-Dniester). There’s a likely reason for this. I’ve noticed other instances when Russian officials mention Abkhazia and South Ossetia with Pridnestrovie and Nagorno Karabakh omitted.
In Moldova, Putin is more popular than the presidents of Moldova, Ukraine and the US ( http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/news/putin_gets_top_vote_in_moldova.html ). Russia ideally would like the whole former Moldavian SSR to come closer to it. The best game plan for that desire is probably to get Moldova and Pridnestrovie to agree to a loose confederation.
When compared to Moldova, Putin is probably not as popular in Georgia. Hence, Russia understandably feels more at ease in supporting Abkhazia and South Ossetia over Pridnestrovie.
As for Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia and Russia might appear to be better allies than Russia and Azerbaijan. On the other hand, Azerbaijan is a better geo-strategic prize over Armenia.
Regarding Russia and the former Moldavian SSR see:
http://www.eurasianhome.org/xml/t/expert.xml?lang=en&nic=expert&pid=1173
http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/news/is_there_a_moscow_brokered_deal_for_moldova_and_pridnestrovie.html
Andy:
This link cites Putin in quotes mentioning Pridnestrovie during that press conference:
http://byzantinesacredart.com/blog/2008/02/shame-on-europeans.html
The good chunk of the conference I saw didn’t include that particular segment.
As for what he said, I’ve to respectfully disagree with the all or nothing approach on granting independence. For the most part, new nations are created out of parts of existng ones. Each disputed territory should be individually reviewed with historical and human rights circumstances given top priority.
Constantly going completely off topic like yourself is wacked out. This venue dicusses former Communist bloc (particularly former Soviet) matter. What you’ve brought up is totally off topic. I take it that you ihaven’t written anything of solo significance on your stated field of expertise, which again has nothing to do with the crux of SL.
Seeing how you carry on here, for all I know you’re a janitor/patient in a nut house. Not that I really care either way. Meantime, my background in terms of providing commentrary on former Communist bloc issues is far more established than what you’ve done in that area. Your knowledge and argumentative skills on such matter has proven to be extremely limited.
My SL topic related background is clearly outlined in the hyperlink by my name. In addition, one of my pieces is cited in Wiki. Not that Wiki is known as the most academc of sources. The point is troll, I’ve achieved considerably more in this area than yourself. I also don’t carry on like a gutless coward by making misrepresentative comments at blogs.
Note that your incessant emails go right in my junk box. I regularly correspond with media, academic and interested others on former Communist bloc matters. A good portion of them disagree with me. Unlike yourself, they don’t display troll like qualities.
Are eXile and Limonov known as “academics”? What’s the stated basis of Limonov’s “proof”? Russia is definitely descended from Kieavn Rus.
Once again, on Chechnya you failed to prove whatever points you were trying to make against what I’ve said.
Yo Sh!-h–d (an honestly frank way of putting it):
Like CD, you don’t display a particularly great aptitude for judging good prose. Over the course of time, you’ve sent numerous emails to me, with all of them going in the junk box for the plausibly stated reasons. The lone exception being your very first set. After which, it became clear that you’re a crank.
In point of fact, a good number on my list reply positively, with few requesting off. Someone employed by the most major of world media networks just sent me a thank you note. Those kind of replies are far more noteworthy than your troll like outbursts. My lists are compiled and sent out no different than others like the Action Ukraine Report and the once active Untimely Thoughts.
In your most recent troll of a post, you fail to detail how Limonov proves the point you said he made.
On your obsession with the Phd: if you’re one and I’m not (the latter I can vouch for), than my earlier point is proven. There’re many successful non-Phd media, political and other figures, who are considered more worthy than some of those folks with a Phd. If I’m not mistaken: unlike yours truly, you don’t have any degree in a field directly related to former Communist bloc studies.
You’ve no idea how much I make doing any number of things including journalism. It’s also none of your business. In a comparison of accomplishments, inclusive of your manner here, you’re in no sound position to judge me. Unlike myself, you’re the one who has lied.
More lying on your part. You mailed me good deal more than 5 over the past year.
CD carries on like a frustrated little jerk, who hasn’t written much in terms of original and informative analysis on his part. All of his posts at another SL thread were pure troll in content. His welcomed departure reveals a cowardly side to him. Like yourself, he typically engages in troll like activity. Upon being unable to successfully backup a given view, he will suddenly go off topic in a personal attack mode.
Like a parakeet, you now repeat his hypocritically bogus “dirty little spammer” line. This coming from a one time “editor” of a list doing exactly the same.
Since my last posting, A Muscovite based Russian sent me a kudos on a recent mailing of mine.
Here’s why you’re an asshole. Unlike yourself, I provide constructive criticism. All you do is make blanket statements with no proof.
Let’s see Doss and-or yourself apply for a column space at American Chronicle and write a substantive critique.
What you do here and elsewhere falls in the pure horse shit category.
Since you bring it up, I likely live far better than yourself. In any event, my personal life isn’t really relevant to the SL topics.
It’s unfortunate that there’s a good deal of ineptitude out there. On the other hand, it can also serve as a basis for optimism.
Your very last point is vintage cranking from you.
For the most part, independent states are created from the territory of existing nations. Each independence claim is unique because the historical and human rights conditions (among other pertinent issues) aren’t the same.
The parameters being set with an independent Kosovo confuse things, because there’re others having either a better independence case, or pretty much just as good of a claim.
Your last set of comments about Kosovo reveals an LR like anti-Russian/anti-Serb twerp side to your persona.
Besides Russia and Serbia, others like Spain, Cyprus as well as Bolton, Eagleburger, Rodman and Wedgwood have expressed well founded opposition to the declared independence, which many will not recognize.
Ahem. So, what do you do for a living?
Spamboy,
stop spamming people, man!
”What you do here and elsewhere falls in the pure horse shit category.”
Again, I’ve been in charge pf an Irish governemt lab, published scientifically and have lectured. What have you done apart from crank articles?
Again, how many academic articles have you published in peer-reviewed journals? None. So why do you think you’re better than PL? There’s no evidence that you are -in fact the opposite.
If you live so well, why are you ashamed to tell me what your job is?
I’m delighted for Kosovo. Serbia have only themselves to blame. They gave up their right to govern Kosova when they commited ethnic cleansing there. Vyu ponimaetye?
When I read adolescent crap like this:
GER O’BRIEN Says:
February 16th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
“Actually I’ve been published scientifically once, in the world’s most imporant toxicology journal, and the work I did was a world first”
I am reminded of a couple of things I read some years ago:
“Expertise in one field does not carry over into other fields. But experts often think so. The narrower their field of knowledge the more likely they are to think so.”
&
“Most “scientists” are bottle washers and button sorters.”
The Russians have a term for creatures like that:
????? ????????
Unfortunately these creatures exist in all countries….
Hey hayate(Roobit)! How’s Timely Thoughts going? Technicheskii perevod, da?:-)
”The Russians have a term for creatures like that:
????? ????????
Unfortunately these creatures exist in all countries….”
Funny, the Irish have a phrase that describes your ilk
smearachan ruseach
Means ”a miserable Russian bastard”
Without science, you would have no pc in front of you, no electricity and would likely be living in a cave.(though parts of St Petersburg are not much better, in fairness)
I’m not entirely sure what Russocentric punditry has done for greater civilisation, but not a whole lot I daresay.
So Mike, care to tell what you do for a living?
”Most “scientists” are bottle washers and button sorters.”
The Russians have a term for creatures like that:
????? ????????
Unfortunately these creatures exist in all countries….”
Said like a true crank, Roobit!) How’s Timely Thoughts? Technicheskii perevod, da?:-) Not tenough Great Russian Nationalist propoganda to use, eh? Thought Averko would be a bit more prolific for that fine site of yours!)
The Irish have name for you too!
”smearachan ruiseach”
And before you say anything rude, our language is around 3,000 years old, considerably older than Russian.
As for scientists – well, you’d still be writing in caves and living in your own shit if it wasnt for science. I think it has contributed a bit more to the world than Russocentric punditry, somehow. As for bottle washing, we’re too busy teaching your kids for that.
So, Mike, what do you do for a living?
”Your last set of comments about Kosovo reveals an LR like anti-Russian/anti-Serb twerp side to your persona.”
I’m just saying what I saw on tv. I know its a sad day for Serb-lovers like yourself, but Mike in all fairness Serbia were very naughty in 1999 and have deservedly lost the right to govern there – how you cant see that I simply dont understand. And no, criticising Russia and Serbia does not make me a Russophobe. As a matter of fact I was at a huge Russian party here at home the other night, and am still the worse for wear from it.
All insults aside Mike, how do you feel about Kosovo today? In fairness to you you’ve been writing about it for a very long time and you seem to have felt quite passionate about it. Do you feel sad, or gutted? I met quite a few Serbs in New Zealand and worked with two, and whilst they werent happy about it, they were resigned to losing Kosovo. They said Albanians had basically taken it over, starting about 100 years ago.