Old habits always die hard. During her first visit to Moscow in office, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton could not resist lecturing Russian politicians, not to mention students, on the kind of society they should live in.
The reversion to old habits was not confined to civil society issues - it also included how the Russia-US relationship should move forward. What we saw was Washington's "new" foreign policy: ‘Pax Americana' with President Barack Obama's human face, plus an unearned Nobel Peace Prize, no less.
I was supremely disappointed with Clinton's visit. Her news conference with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was a disaster.
Clinton gushed, while Lavrov stayed with the facts. Clinton wanted us to believe that problems in the bilateral relationship could be fixed by motivational speaking.
Lavrov revealed the true state of affairs during the ensuing Q&A session, pointing out that little has been accomplished in "hitting the reset button".
Western media and much of Washington's chattering classes were awash with the notion that the Clinton visit would finally get the Russians on board against Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program.
President Dmitry Medvedev's earlier comment that sanctions against Iran, under certain circumstances, were inevitable was interpreted that Moscow had folded. Not surprisingly, Lavrov reiterated Russia's position that sanctions rarely work and that diplomacy with Tehran was far from exhausted.
Then the issue of new US plans for anti-missile defense arose.
Russia has reacted positively to Obama's announcement that he would scrap the Bush-era plans, but this week there was no sense that reciprocity was needed from Russia. And why should there be? Washington needlessly threatened Russia's security when it claimed the real aim of the anti-missile was a possible threat from Iran.
In fact, Moscow has no intention of rewarding Washington just yet, since the Pentagon has said it has ideas about new anti-missile defense.
Rhetorically, Russia has been told it could be invited to participate in the new plan. However, Lavrov made it clear there are no specifics on what that cooperation could mean.
Again, Clinton was getting ahead of herself - another bad habit of US foreign policy when trying to con a so-called friend. And believe me, the Russians aren't amused.
Desperate to show relations have really been reset, Clinton made reference to Russia's help for NATO over Afghanistan. Russia did the right thing long before the motivational speaking of the Obama administration - it agreed to an enhanced air corridor over Russian territory to supply US-led forces in Afghanistan. This kind of support is critical to avoid a complete and humiliating defeat at the hands of the Taliban, al-Qaeda and drug lords.
Russia's help for NATO didn't get it a Nobel Peace Prize, but it does demonstrate that Moscow is acutely aware of the fragility of the current international system and how to deal with the already-failed state of Afghanistan.
When it comes to another problem state, Georgia, Russia's political elite and people see President Mikhail Saakashvili as a thug due to his actions in starting the South Ossetia conflict in August 2008.
But Obama's administration sides with a country whose leader committed war crimes and refuses to accept the legitimate claims of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to be free and independent.
Clinton said that the US and Russia remain at odds over this issue, but now it is Washington's problem. Moscow's position on South Ossetia and Abkhazia is clear and will not change. Saakashvili is one of Washington's creations, so now it has to consider if he is worth spoiling relations with Moscow.
Addressing students at Moscow State University, Clinton did what many US politicians have done here before: share what they think are sacred truths about modernity - the whole civil and human rights 10-step program to make the rest of the world just like America. It all sounded quite hollow.
Few in Russia - even critics of the current government here - see America as practicing its own self-proclaimed values.
Clinton's motivational speaking didn't convert anyone in Moscow. The Russians, like the rest of the world, are still waiting for meaningful decisions and actions from the Obama administration.
The clock is ticking and patience is running out.
First published at the Moscow News
25 October, 2009, 23:15
Might I add:
Dear “Mycenaeans” of new times, considering the common enormous and extremely urgent problems we face today, don’t you think old ways should make way for new, and instead of trying to wipe us out you might consider working together trying to find solutions for these.
Time is running out and you’re waisting valuable resources pursuing the wrong goals.
25 October, 2009, 22:41
You would have to deaf and blind to believe Washington or the EU wants normal relations with Russia.
Under the Brezinski/Obama regime NATO bases are spring up on Russia's borders and preparing and being taught for war against Russia, numerous NATO exercises targeted towards Russia, moving NATO military capacity from Italy and Germany to Poland, Baltic’s and other countries bordering Russia, western sponsored terrorism has increased dramatically in Russia and Central Asian especially China with all the resources being put into destabilising Xinjing, China to create conflict between China and Russia, the constant demonisation and Communist revisionist campaign by the same people who controlled Communism in Russia financed by mayor industry like Anne Applebaum and the Olin foundation which is a political front of a family armaments company and promoting “good” Russians and non-Russian mostly British writers who defame Russian culture and national character.
“May 5, 2009 Russia Victor V. Erofeev who introduces himself as “a Russian writer” was awarded the Mondello Literary Prize for The Good Stalin (2004) recognized as the best “novel” of the year in Italy.”
The very language in which the “Encyclopaedia” is written reeks of illiterate and offensive graffiti left on walls by hooligans. A few citations below should illustrate the point to a sufficient extent.
For example, the fragment of the text titled Bloody Sunday reads:
“Russians should be clubbed.
Russians should be gunned down.
Russians should be made permanent parts of walls.
Otherwise they would not be Russians any more.
Bloody Sunday is a national holiday”1.
The fragment of the text titled Red Square – the place equally favored by Russians and foreign tourists visiting the country – says:
“Red Square works as a tryout for the stupid. If you like it, you must b a total nutcase2. If you don't – it also means you're a 100% nutcase. The space is enchanted. There are lots of dressed-up nutcases walking around Red Square (149).
Keep in mind that in May 1945, Red Square was the place where the dressed-up Russia rejoiced at the great triumph over Hitler's fascism!”
Here are a few of Mr. Erofeev's further ideas concerning Russia:
“Having toured the world to better understand Russia I realized it presents a serious threat to the world” (197).
“Russia is not among the cultures capable of self-determination. It is a historically dishonest country. It is based on lies” (122).
“The Russian culture is a five-star mortuary” (255).
«A Russian is a case of diminished responsibility. You will never know what he understood and what he failed to grasp. You should talk to ordinary Russians in maximally simplistic terms. This is not an illness, this is a historical condition” (72).
“The way to act with Russians is to put on the gas mask and attack. They hate being treated well. If you are nice to them, they decay like sausage in sunlight” (77)
«Everyone … thought Russians at least had the outer shells of normal people … This is only an illusion – they are beasts with four noses” (194).
«The normal condition of a Russian is being drunk. … When drunk, a Russian looks like himself” (195, 197)
“Russians are a shameful nation. A notebook of stereotypes. They can neither work nor think systematically” (46).
The sad reality is the fact I have to say being an ethnic Brit and living in Britain it is part of the public consensus historically and presently to be anti-Russian why else would they have supported the most extreme anti-Russian political movements like Bolshevism and the overthrow of the Czarist regime and subsequent support of Communism in Russia, Islamic separatists, “Russian” mafia and the exiled Oligarchs.
In a review of statements from famous people from the likes of General Patton, Revilo P Oliver, George Orwell, etc as most certainly not European and racial defamatory terms.
@Gene Hopkins
I would think carefully about getting the Flu shot if I were you the US government has a history of testing chemical and biological agents on US citizens.
I would do research on Swine Flu and the “vaccine” like what company produces it/there connections before getting it.
Could be part of a new bio weapon that US plans to deploy in cities in urban warfare Iraq, Iran, Russia, China? and the “vaccine” is a test to see if soldiers would be immune and what racial groups effected.
As far as Halloween goes in Russia I think they have a Russian Orthodox version of Halloween as Halloween is a Pagan holiday like they have Father Frost in January instead of Santa Claus.
25 October, 2009, 22:27
Ps. I forgot: Thank you Hillary. It’s been an eye-opener.
(It could all have been different.)
25 October, 2009, 21:57
Peter, all, and especially dear Russians,
Watching Hillary speak in Moscow, I had a moment of clarity: The Cold War is NOT (and never was) over!
In fact it’s hotter (or colder if you will) than ever.
Yes, this is a very old trick and shame on us in the East to have fallen for it: shows how very little we know of history and just how naive we are.
- Consider the Trojan war: The Mycenaeans, despite their best efforts, were at the end pretty helpless before the walls of Troy; So what did they do? They pretended the war was over and left a “present” even for the Trojans – the famous Trojan horse. The stupid Trojans fell for the trick, opened their walls, and brought the Trojan horse inside their fortress. You know the outcome.
- For those who have red the “Shogun” you’ll certainly recognise the same trick used by Toranaga to win the war against his rival Ishido – pretending the war (‘cold’ at the moment because not a single battle had been fought..) was over and then entraping his emeny, and finishing him off with a single grand battle.
- Remember the first Gulf war? Couple hundred thousand Iraqi military turned to charkal on the road back to Bagdad.. . How? Simple: US said war was over, they came out in the open and, probably happy that it was all over, started going back home.., then bang! – it wasn’t over.. .
See the parellels? I certainly do. The Cold War may be over for us in the East, but certainly isn’t for the UKUSA club.
Don’t believe it? Well, why not disband NATO then, but keep enlarging it.. pushing further and further East? Why insist on encircling Russia and getting into China’s backyard? Why the missile shield fiasco (and it isn’t over at all..)? Why panish Serbs for not signing to be the largest NATO base ever and still doing a smaller version of it in Kosovo? – and in the process sending a clear message that this is what awaits orthodox Slavs if they don’t ‘follow instructions.’ Why?.. I have only one answer that makes sense to me: they’re just getting in position for the decisive blow.., just like the Mycenaeans of old. Let’s see what the mighty Olympians will be doing this time arround.
Cinical? Scary? May be, but facts seem to point that way. And that’s a "snapshot" of the Balkans.
BR
Aleks
25 October, 2009, 17:16
You would have to deaf and blind to believe Washington or the EU wants normal relations with Russia.
Under the Brezinski/Obama regime NATO bases are spring up on Russia's borders and preparing and being taught for war against Russia, numerous NATO exercises targeted towards Russia, moving NATO military capacity from Italy and Germany to Poland, Baltic’s and other countries bordering Russia, western sponsored terrorism has increased dramatically in Russia and Central Asian especially China with all the resources being put into destabilising Xinjing, China to create conflict between China and Russia, the constant demonisation and Communist revisionist campaign by the same people who controlled Communism in Russia financed by mayor industry like Anne Applebaum and the Olin foundation which is a political front of a family armaments company and promoting “good” Russians and non-Russian mostly British writers who defame Russian culture and national character.
“May 5, 2009 Russia Victor V. Erofeev who introduces himself as “a Russian writer” was awarded the Mondello Literary Prize for The Good Stalin (2004) recognized as the best “novel” of the year in Italy.”
The very language in which the “Encyclopaedia” is written reeks of illiterate and offensive graffiti left on walls by hooligans. A few citations below should illustrate the point to a sufficient extent.
For example, the fragment of the text titled Bloody Sunday reads:
“Russians should be clubbed.
Russians should be gunned down.
Russians should be made permanent parts of walls.
Otherwise they would not be Russians any more.
Bloody Sunday is a national holiday”1.
The fragment of the text titled Red Square – the place equally favored by Russians and foreign tourists visiting the country – says:
“Red Square works as a tryout for the stupid. If you like it, you must b a total nutcase2. If you don't – it also means you're a 100% nutcase. The space is enchanted. There are lots of dressed-up nutcases walking around Red Square (149).
Keep in mind that in May 1945, Red Square was the place where the dressed-up Russia rejoiced at the great triumph over Hitler's fascism!”
Here are a few of Mr. Erofeev's further ideas concerning Russia:
“Having toured the world to better understand Russia I realized it presents a serious threat to the world” (197).
“Russia is not among the cultures capable of self-determination. It is a historically dishonest country. It is based on lies” (122).
“The Russian culture is a five-star mortuary” (255).
«A Russian is a case of diminished responsibility. You will never know what he understood and what he failed to grasp. You should talk to ordinary Russians in maximally simplistic terms. This is not an illness, this is a historical condition” (72).
“The way to act with Russians is to put on the gas mask and attack. They hate being treated well. If you are nice to them, they decay like sausage in sunlight” (77)
«Everyone … thought Russians at least had the outer shells of normal people … This is only an illusion – they are beasts with four noses” (194).
«The normal condition of a Russian is being drunk. … When drunk, a Russian looks like himself” (195, 197)
“Russians are a shameful nation. A notebook of stereotypes. They can neither work nor think systematically” (46).
http://en.fondsk.ru/article.php?id=2503
The sad reality is the fact I have to say being an ethnic Brit and living in Britain it is part of the public consensus historically and presently to be anti-Russian why else would they have supported the most extreme anti-Russian political movements like Bolshevism and the overthrow of the Czarist regime and subsequent support of Communism in Russia, Islamic separatists/terrorists, “Russian” mafia and the exiled Oligarchs.
In a review of statements from famous people from the likes of General Patton, Revilo P Oliver, George Orwell, etc as most certainly not European and racial defamatory terms.
@Gene Hopkins
I would think carefully about getting the Flu shot if I were you the US government has a history of testing chemical and biological agents on US citizens.
http://www.geocities.com/athens/oracle/4809/gov.html
I would do research on Swine Flu and the “vaccine” like what company produces it/there connections before getting it.
Could be part of a new bio weapon that US plans to deploy in cities in urban warfare Iraq, Iran, Russia, China? and the “vaccine” is a test to see if soldiers would be immune and what racial groups effected.
As far as Halloween goes in Russia I think they have a Russian Orthodox version of Halloween as Halloween is a Pagan holiday like they have Father Frost in January instead of Santa Claus.
25 October, 2009, 15:44
Gene,
Halloween is a little off topic. If you are in Russia on Halloween, and want full-on halloween, go to Silvers in Moscow, a short walk from Ohotniy Riyad.It is also a very good place to meet Russians and Foreigners who are in the :"Know" on current realities. A melting pot where everyone shakes their heads at western news on the flatscreen.
25 October, 2009, 03:43
Actually Hillary is an average blabber-box with a couple of holes in it. She was chosen for her ability to be a distracting fool. Do you you all remember Congo Lisa ?
24 October, 2009, 23:45
Peter,
The H1N1 virus (swine flu) is now a NATIONAL EMERGENCY in the United States. Over a thousand have died ant the death toll is rising. I hope Russia will be spared from this ongoing tragedy. I called my 86 year old mom yesterday (she lives in Pittsburgh) and pleaded with her to get a flu shot. She is very stubborn, like me, and thinks she will never get sick. I love my mom and I am not ready for her to die yet. She is very sharp and we argue all the time on the phone about politics. She voted for John McCain and I voted for Barack Obama. I will be getting a flu shot on October 29th.
Your friend and brother,
Gene Hopkins, San Francisco
24 October, 2009, 23:08
Peter,
After this life, I would like you to be in heaven with me. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He died for our sins. I have many. Jesus is the only bridge to heaven. A lifetime of good works will not do it. Jesus is the ONLY WAY.
Gene H., San Francisco
24 October, 2009, 22:45
Peter,
About the NFL football league, Cleveland Browns fans HATE Pittsburgh Steeler fans. They hate Pittsburgh because the Steelers have now beaten the Browns TWELVE TIMES IN A ROW. They call people from Pittsburgh "in-bred hillbill ies and Trolls". I know this because I am a regular visitor on the Cleveland Browns internet Forum. At least Pittsburgh's rivers never caught on fire like Cleveland's did. They have no idea that I am an "undercover Pittsburgh Steeler fan". It is a lot of fun.
Gene H., San Francisco
24 October, 2009, 22:16
Peter,
You are probably not an NFL fan. That is American football (not soccer). My first twenty years of life were in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Then I moved to San Francisco, California. (2500 miles away). I love the Pittsburgh Steelers first and the San Francisco 49ers second. My beloved Steelers are the current champions. These two teams have a combined Super Bowl record of eleven wins and one loss. (11-1). No other cities in the United States can compare with this record in the Super Bowl (the American football championship game). Just sayin'
Gene H., San Francisco
24 October, 2009, 21:13
Happy Halloween!!! We put pumpkins carved with scary faces in front of our houses. (to scare the children knocking on our doors and asking for candy?)At least 100 Million Americans do this on October 31st.
Gene from San Francisco
24 October, 2009, 20:49
Peter,
Does Russia have Halloween? It is the most fun American holiday always on October 31st. Children dress up in outlandish costumes and knock on all their neighbors doors and ask for candy. They say "Trick or Treat?" If the neighbors do not give the children candy, they will be subject to a "Trick" from the children. The "Trick" could be anything. American children look forward all year to this holiday. This is when they are in charge.
Gene H., San Francisco
24 October, 2009, 16:11
Mr Lavrov must be at the end of his tether with regards his tolerance for the "reset" games.
The Hilderbeast (as an ex BritEmb employee calls her) is part of an administration headed by a president who this time last year thought Vladimir Putin was the presient of The Russian Federation.He also believe,or states, that Russian aggression started the Georgia conflict. Once again an administration at odds with the world concensus and intenton pressing an agenda. Hilary can lecture all she wants, nothing new to Russian diplomats but time is fast running out for the emergence of real substance to back the words.The EU has clearly investigated the Georgia conflict with an outcome contrary to the administrations Prague '68 aggression media hype we were all fed. The public "reset" bravado clearly has no substance other than to keep a smokescreen on the pressing issue of securing oil supplies in Russia's back yard.
24 October, 2009, 15:24
Peter,
This beautiful blue spinning orb called Earth houses about 6.85 Billion people. We were all created by a "Higher Power" and all equal in His (or Her?) eyes. (In My Humble Opinion) No One in Russia or in the United States is superior to that poor woman in Darfur whose baby child died in her arms of starvation today. Peter, that baby child is every bit the equal of you or me. Why do we have so much food that we waste it, when that baby child died of starvation. How about you and I raise our voices to try to make peace in this world. Your President hears your voice and my President hears my voice.
Gene H. from San Francisco
24 October, 2009, 15:03
Hi Peter
Here is a "snapshot" of America. I will be 52 on November 6th. I have three brothers, all doing better than me.
This past July my mom, two sisters and I visited Chris and his parents (Maria and Jason) in North Carolina. They had just bought a home and were having a housewarming party. We stayed there for three days and had a great time. Maria is my sister Nancy's daughter. Maria is 29 years old and is a third grade school teacher. She has already had a double mastectomy. Like Christopher, Maria is in remission from cancer. They are happy and healthy. I don't want to get religious, but Jesus does answer prayers, even prayers from a gay freak like me. Cancer runs in my family. My dad died of esophageal cancer and my mother's brother, Uncle Woody died of a massive brain tumor. I still am very troubled almost 52 year old nut job (my birthday is Nov. 6th) but I am blessed to be part of my family. I like to say we are the "Waltons with a twist". I am blabbing now but put up with me for one more paragraph.
I have five sisters, four of which are my elders. Peggy, 62, has a master's degree in Social Work. Nancy 55, is a respiratory therapist. Theresa, my baby sister is 44. She is a financial analyst. Susie 56 and Georgia 53 are like me. They have serious psychological issues and like me have been psychiatric hospitals for various lengths of time. Susie and Georgia both still live with mom, that is why I do not have to worry about my mom's physical health (like falling down and being alone with no one there to help her get up). Even though Susie and Georgia are troubled like me and sometimes act erratically, mom is in good hands because they both love her dearly. Fortunately, none of the three of us seem to "go crazy" at the same time. Cold, but true.
24 October, 2009, 08:48
Marx,
Your Idea of autonomous units is good but it will not work because in any group of individuals there is a minority who want more than their share .To stop this minority the larger group had to organise and arm itself.The problem grows greater when for some individuals requirement of security takes
form of sport/hobby .
We all try to carve out dynasties/empires for our kids and grand kids it is in our psychology ,we love them too much.
On other hand children are wiser for them the gone generation are nothing more than a reference.
If we would love our kids less leave them to make their own choices and concentrate on our own problems of global warming ,nuclear weapons,pesticides in food,cancer , diabetes etc.
100 Years from now no one alive today will be alive ,it will be a new world with totally new set of people ,we should not leave history or precedent of competition or aggression for them.
Sierra
You have right to launch all missiles you want,keep in mind that people you hate or are cause of trouble to you will be well safe in bunkers ,only people you may harm may be kids
animals,some old crippled lady, people who have never done anything wrong to you .
24 October, 2009, 05:57
Phil Marx;
Now who is living in a matrix here?
When trying to get some information accross, the best way is to use the matrix frame of reference. The matrix is using the international law, policies, human rights concerns, and other constructs to explain the world we live in.
Is it worth it? Those living comfortably in the matrix, will probably read and forget. But those whose lives are being destroyed so that the matrix can go on feeding on the ruins of their existence, will not. And eventually, people stop believing, and a new order will emerge.
Will it repeat the same mistakes of the old? Who knows. I do know that the Managed Chaos does not stand a chance. Why? Because it is a mighty orderly chaos! To divide populace so neatly, with such an agreed upon death wish, may be beyond the cognitive makeup of earthlings.
But what might happen is the end of the drive to make the earth so homegenous, with same style grey barracks with the banner of Democracy flying over each. When the drive eventually stops, a new reality will emerge. For the first time in Earth's history, it may actually be global. Thus far, we have seen only a strong empire, or a collection of states pursuing global agenda within their own realm of alliances of the willing. What may be in store is the first ever attempt at codifying global relations.
Will it be by a broad consensus, or again imposed upon by the new and improved Matrix?
24 October, 2009, 03:50
Phil Marx, your comments inspire some thinking. And I like it...
In your nice "Organized Chaos" theory one element seems not yet developed enough -- the "supreme judge" or "punisher". It looks like a minor thing left in this beautiful theory, but the fact of the matter -- this element may ruin the harmony of the entire plan.
Another weakness in your theory -- you assume that humans are indistinguishable (say, like ants) and have no connections with each other, thus easily could be separated on groups of 10,000. I, though, have hard time to image how it is possible to divide 1,500,000,000 Chinese on such groups and then prevent them quickly to be reassembled together. Especially interesting question for me would be -- who can prevent that? 10,000 Aborigines from Australia or 10,000 Eskimos lost in the icy lands of Alaska? Another interesting case would be if, say, one group of 10,000 Chinese misbehave, and all other groups collectively, which will include, say, 10,000 Japanese, 10,000 Russian, 10,000 British, would start "punishing" them. I wonder what would remaining 1,500,000,000 - 10,000 Chinese would do in this case? Probably, nothing. :-)
Though, I like your "10K-based Alienated Republic of Androids". Because, it reminds me those communist ideas which constituted the basis of the Revolution in Russia in 1917. It looks like all of us are living in the Matrix... :-)
Remember, the beginning of the immortal work of Thomas Paine "Common Sense"? "Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness". Societies are created using common sense. Based on the reality and necessity. So, if you artificially rearrange things, over time, everything will return to the point where your started. Imaging how frustrating it would be? :-)
24 October, 2009, 03:46
Bianca, how do you manage to maintain such incredible internal knowledge base? I cannot believe that one human head can keep all this information! And not just keep it, but also, to order it properly. By the way, you are right -- the excessive knowledge creates excessive headache. Or as they say -- The less you know, the better you sleep!
Just recently, on the Alexey Sazonov's blog I slammed at Arvind for his unwillingness to look at events little bit deeper and try to analyze them before providing "opinion" by just replicating the information digested by the media. The same here. People lump together or lineup completely different things (S.Ossetia, Kosovo, Chechnya, ...) without even slightest efforts to see the differences between every case. The same way how they equalize countries having the same banner or manifest themselves similarly on the surface (N.Korea, China, Cuba, Nicaragua, ...), but, underneath having different "contents". In some cases, may be even too much different.
"The way these comrades look at problems is wrong. They do not look at the essential or main aspects but emphasize the non-essential or minor ones. It should be pointed out that these non-essential or minor aspects must not be overlooked and must be dealt with one by one. But they should not be taken as the essential or main aspects, or we will lose our bearings." "In this world, things are complicated and are decided by many factors. We should look at problems from different aspects, not from just one." -- Somebody well-known said that.
18 November, 2009, 12:20
To John, who has heard that children were removed from Britain and sent to institutions in Australia for some decades of the last century, and that many Aboriginal children were also taken from their families and placed into institutions. I wonder has he also heard that the Australian Prime Minister and the entire Australian federal parliament has deeply apologized for both of these events, and that these two separate apologies were broadcast live around the nation and cheered by people everywhere as they heard it?
John hasn’t heard that?
That’s all right, I haven’t heard that Yeltsin, Putin, Medvedev or the Duma has offered equivalent apologies, either, to Russians and their neighbors, or that these apologies were broadcast live throughout Russia and cheered by the people.
18 November, 2009, 12:17
I’m sorry that Bianca chooses to address the subject by way of expressing personal insults, and I will assure her and others that I will not do the same. A matter stands or falls on facts that pertain to it, not by the presumed character traits of forum participants.
In fact, I will agree with Bianca. The quotes I posted are indeed selective. They are a few selected sentences, one from a book of 528 pages written by a professor of Russian and Georgian at the University of London who is also the author of a number of other books including “The Literature of Georgia: A History”, and “Anton Chekhov: A Life.” My other quote is a few sentences from 260 pages which is published in 12 languages and is written by The Economist magazine’s senior Central and East European Correspondent. If Bianca wishes to read a less selective presentation of the matter, she will be easily able to obtain both books.
I also agree with Bianca on another matter, namely that asserting that China is destroying Tibetan culture is seriously offensive, and already explained in a previous post that the guilty readily find allegations of their guilt offensive. Whereas China finds the allegation offensive, Tibetans find the reality offensive beyond words. No, I have not been to Tibet recently, and neither, in fact, has the Dalai Lama. However, I have no reason to disbelieve the united voice of Tibetans on the matter both at home and abroad. Their claims have added credibility because I understand all to well and at rather closer quarters the modus operandi of Communist regimes elsewhere, and Tibetan allegations are entirely consistent with these.
There is even a third matter on which I agree with Bianca, namely that China has put a stop to some Tibetan social practices which were harmful. Just like Soviet Russia put a stop to more than some Nazi practices in areas that it occupied that were also harmful, to put it mildly. No one blames either the Communist Chinese or Communist Russians for that, and I have even heard the Dalai Lama comment on the fact that some Tibetan practices were bad and needed to be stopped. But in each case, Communists are blamed, and rightly so, for the regime with which they replaced such things.
18 November, 2009, 05:49
Reading some opinions and articles in the Western media and learning more about Medvedev, I have better understanding why Peter put these words in quotes -- "our kind of guy". Because, Westerners misinterpret Medvedev. And I agree with Peter -- they may be disappointed when they know him better. Because, he is not going to sell Russia to them. He is not reincarnation of Yeltsin. Medvedev is not playing any role and any game -- he is who he is -- the politician from the new generation. With the world view which is not very much bounded by countries borders and national differences. Who understands that the world is interconnected and interdependent. And who is willing and ready to be a member of the world community. He is ready to build the respectful relationships with others. But not in expense of the country he leads. The Westerners may find him being as tough (or even more tough) as Putin, if they cross certain threshold. He will be nice with them as long as they will be nice with him.
Again, I make this assumption, based on that information I have about him and those similarities I find between us. I, personally, could help and defend others as much as I can. I am ready to listen arguments and try to understand my opponents no matter how unreasonable they sound. But, in case of any conflict situation, I need zero microseconds to make decision which side I am on. And my actions will fast and determined.
18 November, 2009, 00:22
Marzipan6,
and you call these "facts"?
"And from pages 75 and 76 of “The New Cold War” by Edward Lucas (2008), Any organization that tries to represent Russia’s ethnic minorities can expect especially harsh treatment. Those from Muslim regions, such as Tatarstan, are immediately painted as extremists and terrorists. Anyone showing the faintest sympathy for Chechnya is risking their freedom, if not their life… Lower-profile causes with an ethnic dimension attract barely less vindictive treatment. The 600,0000 strong Mari ethnic minority, for example, is a remnant of the Finno-Ugric tribes whose lands once stretched from Siberia to the Baltic Sea…. After a brief national revival in the 1990s, they have now become the target of a vicious campaign of chauvinistic repression, spearheaded by the president of the republic, Leonid Markelov.”
What a pack of nonsense! Disregarding facts, telling untruths, dissembling. These are the ramblings of an obviously biased individual. But then, your standards are low. You live for exaggerations, demonization, white-wash --- all according to needs. Your selectivity is legendary, and cannot be taken seriously. I guess, if it amuses you, go on.
Your assertion that China is destroying Tibetan culture is seriously offensive. Have you visited Tibet lately? Even though Tibet was part of China for centuries, the world jet setter Dalai Lama makes it sound like China occupied Tibet, and he and his supporters had to flee. What he fails to say, and his Western interlocutors allow him to fluff-up, is that China has finally put the end on the Tibetan "tradition" of owning slaves. Landowning privileged class in Tibet were selling their servants and enslaved farmers for any reason, including payment of their gambling debts. China has been putting up with that "tradition" too long, and had to put an end to it. When the Dalai Lama and his hierarchy fled, they did so because the landowning and slave owning class was dispossessed. They could no longer live comfortably by the feudal system that sustained them for centuries. The time came for change, and Dalai Lama chose resisting the Chinese government instead. That was his choice. But to now pretend that it is Tibetan culture that is being destroyed --- please. I understand that many in the west would prefer to see Tibet stay frozen in time. A mountain top Brigadoon, that is impervious to the changes in the world. I am sorry that their experience will not longer be authentic. .
But up there in Tibet a little boy is is dreaming to drive a car someday. With the millions being pulled out of poverty each year in China, his goal will probably become reality. It would not be is the Dalai Lama and his landowning disgruntled feudal lords get their way.
17 November, 2009, 16:53
Peter,
Your article is spot on. I am sick and tired of reading all the pundits (certain Russian ones, too, like Masha Lipman) with all their inaccuracies. They don't have a clue!
Marzipan6,
As usual, your russophobia shines through loud and clear. Medvedev says all the right things, and the truth, and you STILL can't get over your chauvinism. Yes, Russia has many problems, and unfortunately skinheads and National Bolsheviks and Communists and Stalinists and many other groups rear their ugly heads. And there are way too many corrupt cops and bureaucrats, etc. A lot of this is a result of the evil parts of Soviet legacy, without a doubt. But Russia is progressing, and these jerks don't represent the typical Russian. "Shapka Monomakha tyazhela," and neither Putin nor Medvedev can "legislate morality" and decency. That's why it is so important for ALL (or at least most) European countries to return to their traditional morality-based Christian roots. Unfortunately, over 70 years of communism took a very heavy toll, to say the least. But Russia is leading the way to overcome this, especially under the outstanding leadership shown by Medvedev and Putin (and yes, Lavrov, too). When one compares Russia's current leadership to Georgia's, Belarus's, Kazakhstan's, Ukraine's, and all the other former Soviet republics, there is no contest. It is obvious that Russia has the most gifted leadership among them, thank God! So stop your bellyaching and constant criticizing of Russians for the sins of the Russian-hating USSR. Remember, Russians were the FIRST and MOST NUMEROUS victims of the Soviet Communist menace. That's a fact, Jack! Also, Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, and their ilk were "equal opportunity murderers," killing or repressing anyone and everyone who (they thought) got in their way, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity or religion. This is why claims of genocide (in the strictest sense) ring hollow, because it was based on class warfare and annihilation of certain social groups, as opposed nationality or ethnicity (Chechen-Ingush and Crimean Tatars being the exception, but they were "ethnically cleansed" through deportations, and not sent to gas chambers). If the Soviets were guilty of genocide, then it would have to be extended to ALL nationalities and ethnic groups, TO INCLUDE THE RUSSIANS, because of the "equal opportunity" aspect of the Red Terror. That's why Solzhnenitsyn got it right, but too many today playing the "victims of genocide" card are simply wrong (this does not include the true victims of Nazi genocide during WW II), trying to deflect from their own countrymen's cooperation with the Red Terror (and trying to curry favor with the ignorant and uninformed russophobes and diehard cold warriors in the West). It's so easy to just blame it all on the "evil" and "barbaric" Russians, whose "DNA" (remember Bush's remark?) prevents them from having "democracy." Get my drift, Sherlock?
17 November, 2009, 14:44
M6, change the record. It is overdue, enough of that. If you do not have future in your artificial country move to the beloved West.
Josef Stalin was an Angel by all means. Atrocities committed by the evils of the West would deeply embarrass him. I just learned how poor children were hunted in Britain and Australia (both apparently democratic) taken away from their parents and sent to the Australian Gulag. 150 000 of them from Britain !!! What a democracy !!! Together with Australian Aboriginal children Australia were running children’s labour camps for 500 000 children between the years of 1930 and 1970. What a shame.
17 November, 2009, 11:38
To Lolo, who rejoices about the survival of ethnic minorities in Russia, here is a quote from page 457 of the book, “Stalin and his Hangmen” by Donald Rayfield (2004):
“Russia is now locked into a global economy and today’s rulers have no reason to murder millions of peasants or terrorize the professional classes. Genocide, however, is carried on by other means, and not only in Chechnya. In the last ten years, for instance, half of the indigenous peoples of Russia’s Arctic regions have perished: 240,000 were alive in 1989, 120.000 are alive today. By destroying their pastures and fishing grounds, removing every support for their existence except vodka and tobacco, Russia’s present government has proved as lethal as the GULAG.”
And from pages 75 and 76 of “The New Cold War” by Edward Lucas (2008), Any organization that tries to represent Russia’s ethnic minorities can expect especially harsh treatment. Those from Muslim regions, such as Tatarstan, are immediately painted as extremists and terrorists. Anyone showing the faintest sympathy for Chechnya is risking their freedom, if not their life… Lower-profile causes with an ethnic dimension attract barely less vindictive treatment. The 600,0000 strong Mari ethnic minority, for example, is a remnant of the Finno-Ugric tribes whose lands once stretched from Siberia to the Baltic Sea…. After a brief national revival in the 1990s, they have now become the target of a vicious campaign of chauvinistic repression, spearheaded by the president of the republic, Leonid Markelov.”
17 November, 2009, 11:19
Bogdanov, I certainly don’t believe that cultural chauvinism is limited only to China or Russia. Imperial Britain was a great exponent of it, but that is now history. America still practices it, but it is not impervious to criticism and is not out of reach of due process of law. How many American military abuses, for example (British ones too, for that matter) do we know about precisely because Washington and London actually investigate and publicize their own misdeeds?
Western countries, though very far from perfect, are still able to be influenced by democratic checks and balances and by processes of law. Totalitarian countries like China can’t be, while hyper-chauvinistic ones like Russia, which are neither quite democracies nor dictatorships, aren’t particularly influenced by public opinion (it is too tightly controlled to be effective), by processes of law (these are often too corrupt to be effective) or by democratic checks and balances (these are too compromised to be effective). Therefore the victims of their chauvinism – Tibet, in this case – can resort only to the indirect approach used by the Dalai Lama. China considers this insulting, but apparently does not think of its destruction of Tibetan culture as insulting.
17 November, 2009, 10:32
At least the ethnic minorities are still alive in Russia and China. US slaughetered the Red Indians. Or doesn't this bother you Marzipan?
16 November, 2009, 15:44
The minds of Americans are pretty messed up these days. The latest movie -- "2012" -- says everything about what many of them (at least, those whom I see around) think about their country and their leaders these days... I want to point out, that this movie is a mainstream (epic) Hollywood picture. Stupid as usual -- something like new version of the old movie "Armageddon". But, I guess, it "represents" (targets) the mentality of an "average" American 2009. (Note, that, I personally, think that Americans are much smarter than presented by the mainstream media).
Now, the movie and its political contents...
"The world is about to be destroyed. And the American leaders choose to hide this fact from their own people. But, they (similar to leaders of other countries) secretly started preparation for their own escape -- building the ships (Noah's Arks) in the Tibet mountain region of .... China!? The country were, I guess, salvation lies and, seems, the only one which is capable of building something on the grand scale today... When the disaster strikes, the US government takes the Air Force One and flies to China leaving people on their own. In the desperate attempts to save themselves, regular Americans (presented in the movie by a young family) find rich Russians (I could not recognize the dialect of Russian language they use) who are willing to take Americans (due to their knowledge and skills, which Russians need for the trip) and fly to China on the old Russian plane. But, the plane crashes in the vicinity of the desired destination and, now both Americans and Russians find themselves in the mercy of Chinese... After worst days are over, the survivors are moving to their new Home -- Africa..."
What strikes me in this movie -- more humble attitude exhibited by Americans.
a) No more they presented as leaders of the world who dictate others what to do. But, rather as an equal member of the world community. From totally about dozen ships, the American one has number 4. I am wondering whom number 1, 2, and 3 belong? I guess, #1 is Chinese ship.
b) Americans do not believe that they are capable to save themselves without others (read: Chinese).
This is really big change. And it is little bit shocking for me. I couldn't expect, that it may happen so soon...
-------
To Marzipan6.
While I am not going to argue with you about the fact that big countries and nations tend to dissolve the ethnicity and cultures of small national groups (not necessarily, in the hostile way), I am wondering, why do you think that this is applicable only to Russia and China? I don't remember you ever mentioned that countries like the US or Britain do the same. In fact, I think, they do it on much bigger scale.
16 November, 2009, 09:58
To Astrea, who believes the Dalai Lama “spends all his time flying around the world creating strife and friction by insulting China!” The Dalai Lama represents a culture that, thanks to China’s invasion and occupation, is dying. Once Tibetan culture dies, Tibetan ethnicity will become as significant as the ethnicity of some Italian who might trace his ancestry back to a Roman centurion – in other words, it will be meaningless.
There is only a limited window of time available in which the decline and destruction of Tibetan culture, and therefore of Tibetan identity, can be reversed – a time will come when it will be too late, and Tibet as a unique land and people will be destroyed forever. For the world this will be an impoverishment – but Tibetans themselves it will be a calamity. Naturally enough, the Dalai Lama tries to avert this.
As far as I am aware, from what I have seen and read of him, the Dalai Lama does this not by insulting China, but by trying to work with China, moderately and reasonably. Since China refuses direct negotiations, he tries to talk to China from abroad, and of course, China does hear what he says from there. But aggressors usually have a very fraught and on-edge conscience, and in the context of Tibet, China is absolutely an aggressor. To an aggressor, even a ship in a bottle might be deemed to be insulting if it in any way tries to allude to the aggression. Unfortunately it is not possible to save Tibet from cultural and eventually national destruction if the direct implications of Chinese aggression are not alleviated. To China, this is insulting.
For pretty much the same psychological dynamics Moscow to this day feels insulted when Eastern Europeans tell it that the Red Army won victory over the Nazis all right but did not liberate them, merely exchanged one totalitarian oppression for another.
16 November, 2009, 09:44
I read an article, I’m sure it was American, where they said many in Congress are not fooled by Putin and Medvedev’s Good Cop/Bad Cop routine. I found it rather interesting. For instance, Medvedev is very hostile towards Ukraine, while Putin has excellent relations with Tymoshenko. And he’s relatively hostile towards Belarus, while again Putin has no issues. And while Putin won’t tolerate anything bad about Iran, Medvedev is more approachable for the West, mainly because he’s willing to talk about Iran.
So, it could be, that they figure between the 2 of them, they can run the country for years to come, simply because 1 allows accommodates the people the other won’t accommodate, and vice versa.
And I agree completely with the post regarding the Dalai Lama, that man is the ultimate CIA agent. And that Uighur woman, her own children accuse her of working for the CIA. China’s approach to world problems is precisely the reason why they are destined to rule the world.
16 November, 2009, 06:27
It looks to me that under Medvedev Russia is becoming US satellite state. I do not think that Medvedev understands and can see the greater picture. His support for US occupation of Afghanistan is a grave concern. And now he appears to be ganging up together with the evil against Iran. Russia is losing reputation.
16 November, 2009, 03:09
I think Mr.Medvedev should stop making harsh comments on the past rule by Mr.Putin, because the Russia in the 1990s is absolutely different from the Russia today. Can he run a country on the brink of collapse back then? The Western media always sing high praises for his speeches, for his decisions, or whatever, to intentionally create a chasm between him and Mr. Putin. I am nonRussian, so I don't know whether those media reports are reliable or not, but IMHO, the so-called Modernization or Innovations are not at all new ideas to the Russian people as well as to the rest of the world. Why did the home/foreign press make a fuss over Mr. Medvedev's state-of-the-nation address, then? I highly doubt Mr. Medvedev's capability of achieving all these goals without Mr.Putin's great support and the whole nation's hard work. If Russians do aspire for a much stronger and much wealthier nation, they'd better study carefully and completely What Makes Japan a Successful Economic Giant, and then, work much much harder than
before.
15 November, 2009, 15:40
ps. I want to see Russia on good terms with all her neighbours. It would be good to see the Ukraine with Russia and turned away from those who are trying to foment war.
By the way, that is what the Dalai Lama does all the time. He spends all his time flying around the world creating strife and friction by insulting China! It is amazing to see this so called "humble Buddhist monk" with his "famous giggle" constantly causing trouble for China, constantly helping to keep things unstable and tense, always on the verge of WAR.
There are many noble and holy Tibetan lamas - but he is a poor puppet of the CIA.
China cannot, even is she wanted to. leave Tibet, which has always been part of China - if China was so crazy as to leave Tibet guess who would move in with alacrity and heavy equipment!
Besides, the Dalai Lama is actually ethnically Chinese and not Tibetan at all, according to a book called "Tibet, Tibet." by Patrick French who was once the manager of the most important fund raising and political organizations for the Tibetans in India. He resigned.
Sad to discover this sort of thing. Sad to see so many people in the World just played with like poor fools, manipulated and used, and to see Buddhism so dishonored is horrible.
15 November, 2009, 15:26
Peter, thank you once again for your writing. It is a great help for Westerners, and I hope also for Russians, to understand many things.
About Mevedev and Putin. I keep saying it because it seems so glaringly obvious to me, that these two men, and also Foreign Minister Lavrov, just look a thousand times better than any Western politician I can think of. They all really do care about Russia and the Russian people. They are not phony about "protecting the American people" ala George Bush, which only fools were fooled by. He certainly did not and does not care at all for any people of any kind at all, certainly not the Americans! As for Phony Tony - I do not need to go into what kind of a liar and thief he is, as is Brown. It is best I say nothing about the new person in the White House, except I did not realize just how much more frightening things could be. I really did think Bush was the end of everything decent in politics - until this.
These Russian leaders are not liars and thieves. They are, to my eyes, decent, truthful, strong and very human. They all actually seem to have functioning hearts as real, ordinary, and HUMAN beings, should have. I admire them all very much, especially Putin because he is so direct.
Therefore, I have hope that Russia will be more and more open and truthful about the pasta seventy or so years. After all, Stalin, the monster, was NOT RUSSIAN. He was a Georgian Jew. One of his sidekicks and even more horrible from what I have read (from articles about Solzenytsin's last book called "Two Hundred Years Together." called Kaganovich, also NOT RUSSIAN at all,l but a Jew. (Most of them changed theri names in order to seem to be actual Russians. For instance, Kruschev's real name was something like Mittlebaum!)
Kaganovich was a the architect and manager of the terrible, cruel and barbaric Gulag - and he seems to have loved it. He also had a lot to do with the starvation of millions (some say 22 million!) Ukrainians, the deliberate and systematic theft of their food so that they died in their millions. What KIND of creatures were these.
Russia has to face up to all that - and look into it thoroughly and carefully 0 forgivnign teh past but not burying it so that it festers and poisons their future.
I do not know how the people will be able to handle it. I have heard that Russian lost27 million people in the Great Patriotic War. They will have to have tremendous moral courage to face up to how that all happened. I do not know how it can be done, but I do think that these three men are so honest and good that they will not allow lies to continue forever. Russia needs to make friends with all her neighbours. I sincerely hope she does because I believe that the future is with Russia.
At least you can still say what you like there. In the West you are not allowed to criticise Jews and homosexuals nor even ask questions about the "holocaust". There have been reports about people in Britain and Europe being imprisoned for using the word homosexual. It seems it is now mandatory to call them "gay"! Free speech is no longer in Britain.
I saw the film called Katyn recently and I hope many Russians will see it. It was Stalin who had 20 thousand of the best and brightest of Poles murdered at the edge of mass graves in the fores of Katyn - NOT the Germans. For sixty plus years the World has been lied to and told that that horrible and disgraceful mass murder was the disgusting work of the Germans.
15 November, 2009, 04:13
To be honest I think China has been doing the best job of any government investing in infrastructure projects, actively seeking trade and development ties in Africa and elsewhere and they are probably the ones that initiated Siberian-Chinese development co-operation plan but are burden by a) a mass population and export goods market dependent economy and b) to an extent Communist system but if they did dissolve the country would most likely fracture and break apart with US and others pushing Uigher separatists in Xinjing. RAND corporation draft policy for the region in 98 called “the Xinjiang Project” which was revised in 2003 called “the Xinjiang Problem” detailing the regions importance in encircling China.
@Marzipan6
Maybe if they stopped using it as a political tool like this regime in Ukraine you could have real discussion on the matter although you would have us ignore the crux of power of the USSR. How many leaders of the USSR were Russian? One and that was Gorbacheav when the system was collapsing anyway.
(1) WW2 laws are stricter in countries in Europe where even there lawyer is put in prison.
Germany recently fined Bishop Williamson.
(2) No he didn't and I mentioned this before what his actually statement was about what he was actually talking about.
(3) Will there be an admission that the 1917 was a coup?
Will Solzhenitsyn book 200 Years Together publishing ban by the SWC be lifted for publication in Europe and the US?
(4) When will Britain and the US fully open up there archives?
Let’s start at the beginning and get all the banking firms that are still involved in finance and politics today like Chase Manhattan to open up there financial records with there dealing with installing then trade and financing with the Communist regime.
If you want to know the truth, follow the money.
15 November, 2009, 01:52
"...every thing Medvedev said about reform in Russia started under Putin".
To be fair, Peter, the reforms have been started by Gorbachev. And, I think, the process which he initiated was not really interrupted since then (not necessarily moving forward). Russia goes from stage to stage in this process, taking different forms, moving back and forth, being better controlled or uncontrolled, bumping to the road blocks or speeding up. In the attempt to find a solution which works.
It seems to me, that Medvedev himself (like me) is a product of that "perestroika" and "glasnost" times. And he mentally relates to Gorbachev more than to Putin. Though, he is more pragmatic than Gorbachev and, therefore, may seem more harsh. This is my observations and initial conclusion which I came to after following his speeches for the last half a year (where he stated to expose himself more and more). We are the same generation with him. I found a lot of commons between our visions on Russia and the world. And I perfectly understand things he is talking about. And I understand those problems he is dealing with in his desire to navigate the country to better future.
With that said, though, I believe, Peter, that your message was a response to those attempts the goal of which is to separate Putin and Medvedev and put a distinctive line between them. To picture this tandem as "union by necessity" rather than as a union of two individuals sharing the same goals and visions. Current Russia, with its new stage of development, needs Medvedev. But, Medevedev needs Putin more than ever. Because, this is Putin who consolidates Russia. This is Putin, who is that gravitational force holding everything together. But, Putin is too Russia-centric and therefore he scares everyone outside of Russia. Russia seems more attractive when it is presented by Medvedev. And Russia desperately need this new image -- to build more dynamic relationships with the rest of the world. Especially now, when the US is getting serious about its partnership with the Asian countries.
15 November, 2009, 01:31
Yes, Peter, I think it's clear to anyone with brains that Medvedev's way is just a continuation of Putin's. In addition, the reason why western media so much favours Medvedev is the same reason why Russians still favour Putin a bit more: check their ratings.
Medvedev's chalenges are great, no doubt, but he has direction and order onto which to step. Putin had neither; he had to create them out of total chaos and it takes person of incredible will power and dedication to undertake this task, and to succeed - success which the neocons in UK and the US cannot forgive him for, and expressing this in a twisted manner by showing how great Medvedev is: read, how different from Putin. Comical, but true.
BR
Aleks
15 November, 2009, 00:03
As a non Russian, I can only say that Russians should be really happy with direction and mental state of their current leaders (Medvedev, Putin). It is clear that they are doing moves that improve stability and global position of Russia, and because of that, they are under constant fire from "democratic" countries (which would be more than happy to see some of the previous disastrous "rulers" in charge, like Boris Yeltsin or Gorbachov).
All that I can say to Russians is that you really don't have any option that is near as good as current one, and don't be fooled by smooth talk of "democratic" leaders from the west, because, their goal is certainly not the strong and prosperous Russia.
I wish that in my country (Serbia) we had the force which would guide us in direction which benefits our own interests and people. Instead we have corrupted puppet regime, a so called "democratic" regime. In reality, they are just the managers of the west, set to do whatever they are told to - while serving the rest of population cheap PR talk about the "prosperity".
The truth is that they are keeping themselves afloat by taking huge credits in the name of the Serbian people (making us dependent/slaves) and stealing/selling everything they can for the good of their own and the western proteges.
My word to Russians is to keep what you have (and be really happy about it), since if you don't, you might end walking the same path as the Serbia and other puppet countries in this region. And that is not the road of prosperity and well-being of the nation.