Battle in Mideast Widens U.S.- Russia Rift

[everythingsxen]

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- The U.S. and Russia differ sharply on the causes and cures for the outbreak of Middle East violence, complicating the diplomatic response and further straining relations between Washington and Moscow.

The tension between President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin hung over this year's Group of Eight summit here, as the two sides traded jabs over whether responsibility lay with Israel or the Lebanese-based Hezbollah militia. It also heralded further diplomatic strains, because Russia's proposals -- negotiating with Hezbollah, pressing Israel to halt its offensive and resisting efforts to lay blame on Syria and Iran -- run counter to those of the U.S.

Mr. Bush offered a blunt prescription during a lunch meeting yesterday with other G-8 leaders, when a microphone accidentally left on picked up the president using an expletive to illustrate his belief that Syria bore responsibility. In an exchange with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr. Bush said global powers had to "get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this s-, and then it's over." Mr. Bush also told Mr. Blair he wanted to tell United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan "to get on the phone with Assad and make something happen."

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[JackNewtown]

1. Our position on Israel

Our position on Israel is unique in the world. Russia is hardly the only place where it causes us problems.

[still_one]

2. really, Russia has a very similar position regarding Chechnya.

[JackNewtown]

3. That is irrelevant here

What is the Russian position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? It is hardly the American position.

[still_one]

4. from the first war waged after Israel became a state

the Soviet Union tried to destroy it through its proxies, which were Nasser in Egypt, and Assad in Syria back then

The history of Russia, and the Soviet Union has never been pro-Israeli, and it was definitely anti-Jewish

and it is NOT irrelevent, because it shows their double vision

We may not be a fair broker in the middle east, but Russia has never been, and at least we had people like Carter, Clinton, and even Nixon trying to negotiate a settlement

The Russians have NEVER had such people

[JackNewtown]

6. The USSR no longer exists

The USSR position on Israel-Palestine was much different than the modern Russian position (remember, Ariel Sharon called Putin a "true friend" of Israel). The USSR, which was anti-Semitic, did not even restore relations with Israel until the fall of 1991, when the USSR had already de facto disintegrated. In contrast, the Russian position is essentially the international position on the conflict.

The Russian position on the conflict is clearly in its national interests, especially in a vital region of the world. How does its position play on the world stage?

Hypocrisy in foriegn policy is nothing new or endemic to Russia. Can you name me one nation that is not hypocritcal in its foreign policy?

The Soviet Union was not a supporter of Middle Eastern peace. As I stated earlier, though, the USSR no longer exists. Russia has a much different position. Russia cannot be blamed for not attempting to broker a Middle East peace due to its lack of power. Only the USA can do that right now.

[cantstandbush]

8. A stae culled from other people's land with nothing in return.

A state that soon became filled with EU immigrants some of whom were Jews by religious choice but not semite by birth and relation to the inhabitants of the land or the people spoken of in the scriptures.

[CuteNFuzzy]

5. only the U.S.

turns a blind eye to Israeli terrorist aggression. Both parties are guilty.

[Tellurian]

7. Bush insisting on labeling Syria & Iran as responsible for the Hezbollah

outbreaks of terrorism against Israel. Putin keeping a firm hand on the wheel
illustrating the value of diplomacy and volunteering his military for UN Peacekeeping.

What is wrong with this picture?