Tuesday, September 07, 2004
U.S.-Chechen Relations
Pooty-Poot is a bit upset with Dubya.
Are U.S. officials really meeting with Chechen separatists on an official basis? Why grant asylum to the "foreign minister" of the Chechen separatist movement, when it would just give the Russians a reason to not support us? Is this an example of the forward-thinking post/911 world that the Bush Administration likes to tout? The world community rightfully should be worried about human rights violations carried out by the Russians in Chechnya, but after the school massacre, I wouldn't go anywhere near Chechnya for awhile. There does seem to be a deal, for Russian cooperation in the war on terror, the U.S. wouldn't criticize Russian human rights violations. However, to grant asylum to a Chechen leader? Like Putin said, it sounds like the Bush Administration still have a Cold War mentality.
More on U.S-Chechen relations.
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But Putin said each time Russia complained to the Bush administration about meetings held between U.S. officials and Chechen separatist representatives, the U.S. response has been "we'll get back to you" or "we reserve the right to talk with anyone we want."
Putin blamed what he called a "Cold War mentality" on the part of some U.S. officials, but likened their demands that Russia negotiate with the Chechen separatists to the U.S. talking to al Qaeda.
These are not "freedom fighters," Putin said. "Would you talk with Osama Bin Laden?" he asked.
Putin said the Chechen separatists are trying to ignite ethnic tensions in the former Soviet Union and it could have severe repercussions.
"Osama Bin Laden attacked the United States saying he was doing it because of policies in the Middle East," Putin said. "Do you call him a freedom fighter?"
Putin's comments came a few weeks after the U.S. granted asylum to Ilias Akhmadov, the "foreign minister" of the Chechen separatist movement.
Are U.S. officials really meeting with Chechen separatists on an official basis? Why grant asylum to the "foreign minister" of the Chechen separatist movement, when it would just give the Russians a reason to not support us? Is this an example of the forward-thinking post/911 world that the Bush Administration likes to tout? The world community rightfully should be worried about human rights violations carried out by the Russians in Chechnya, but after the school massacre, I wouldn't go anywhere near Chechnya for awhile. There does seem to be a deal, for Russian cooperation in the war on terror, the U.S. wouldn't criticize Russian human rights violations. However, to grant asylum to a Chechen leader? Like Putin said, it sounds like the Bush Administration still have a Cold War mentality.
More on U.S-Chechen relations.
