Putin's 1999 NYT op-ed: Why We Must Act

[ProSense]

Why We Must Act

By Vladimir Putin

When President Clinton and I met in Oslo earlier this month, we discussed the situation in Chechnya. Accounts of that conversation in the American media, understandably, emphasized the president's warnings about the impact of Russia's military operations. Because we value our relations with the United States and care about Americans' perception of us, I want to explain our actions in clear terms.

To do so, I ask you to put aside for a moment the dramatic news reports from the Caucasus and imagine something more placid: ordinary New Yorkers or Washingtonians, asleep in their homes. Then, in a flash, hundreds perish in explosions at the Watergate, or at an apartment complex on Manhattan's West Side. Thousands are injured, some horribly disfigured. Panic engulfs a neighborhood, then a nation.

Russians do not have to imagine such a calamity. More than 300 of our citizens in Moscow and elsewhere suffered that fate earlier this year when bombs detonated by terrorists demolished five apartment blocks.

Consider another unthinkable scenario. A long simmering dispute between one of your states and your federal government causes political unrest in that state. Armed militias arise, similar to those found in your states of Montana and Idaho. Eventually, they are assisted by foreign adventurers with their own agenda who use that troubled region as a base to launch violent raids against a neighboring state. Lives and property are destroyed -- as a means of expanding the chaos.

- more -

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/14/opinion/why-we-must-act.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

[maddezmom]

1. Good find

He is a tool.

[ProSense]

3. He's concern trolling and

spreading misinformation. He knows some are all too ready to hype is point. As the WH said, Putin has to act. The ball is in his court.

He also mischaracterzied the President's point, and clearly doesn't understand what it means.

From the President's speech:

Franklin Roosevelt once said, “Our national determination to keep free of foreign wars and foreign entanglements cannot prevent us from feeling deep concern when ideals and principles that we have cherished are challenged.” Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security, are at stake in Syria, along with our leadership of a world where we seek to ensure that the worst weapons will never be used.

America is not the world’s policeman. Terrible things happen across the globe, and it is beyond our means to right every wrong. But when, with modest effort and risk, we can stop children from being gassed to death, and thereby make our own children safer over the long run, I believe we should act. That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional. With humility, but with resolve, let us never lose sight of that essential truth.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023642111

No, Putin isn't being smart. Obama is running rings around him
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023650531

[blm]

2. Putin's recent op ed was for his own political legacy and

and his personal amusement at how easy it is to manipulate (concern troll) some Americans.

[ProSense]

5. Yup. n/t

[jakeXT]

4. We will see what the Saudis will do with their tools

As-Safir said Prince Bandar pledged to safeguard Russia’s naval base in Syria if the Assad regime is toppled, but he also hinted at Chechen terrorist attacks on Russia’s Winter Olympics in Sochi if there is no accord. “I can give you a guarantee to protect the Winter Olympics next year. The Chechen groups that threaten the security of the games are controlled by us,” he allegedly said.

Prince Bandar went on to say that Chechens operating in Syria were a pressure tool that could be switched on an off. “These groups do not scare us. We use them in the face of the Syrian regime but they will have no role in Syria’s political future.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/10266957/Saudis-offer-Russia-secret-oil-deal-if-it-drops-Syria.html

[ProSense]

8. Are you suggesting you don't trust Russia? n/t

[treestar]

6. One thing that is noticeable

In our country, the leaders have changed since 1999.

[geek tragedy]

7. "The democratic choice Russian people made in the early 90s is final.”

Vladimir Putin.

[ProSense]

9. Kick! n/t

[Scurrilous]

10. K & R