NationStates Jolt Archive

Putin blasts U.S. on terror stance

From CNN Moscow Bureau Chief Jill Dougherty

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that mid-level officials in the U.S. government were undermining his country's war on terrorism by supporting Chechen separatists, whom he compared to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Putin's charge, made in a meeting with a group of western foreign policy experts, came just days after hundreds of people, mostly children, died in the bloody end to the Beslan siege.

Putin also defended his government's decision to storm the school and said the hostage holders had begun shooting children out of boredom.

His comments did not suggest the final raid was triggered by the shooting of children.

In the wide-ranging meeting which lasted almost four hours, Putin said he likes President Bush, calling him a friendly, decent, predictable person.

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.

The Russian president also justified the rescue operation in Beslan, conceding that it took time to mobilize the operation.

He said Russian special forces stormed the school knowing they themselves were likely to be killed.

In one dramatic moment, Putin said Russian security forces overheard a disturbing walkie-talkie conversation between the terrorists:

"What are you doing? Why? I hear some noise. What's going on? I'm just in the middle of shooting some children."

"They were bored," Putin said. "So they shot children."

Putin said investigators determined the hostage takers included 10 fighters from "Arab" countries, along with others from the former Soviet Union and one person from North Ossetia where the hostage crisis unfolded.

Putin said the terrorists' goal was to ignite conflict between two local ethnic groups, the Ingush and the Ossetians.

In other comments, Putin said Russia would take its own approach to democratic reform.

"We'll do this at our own pace," he said. Democracy can mean different things in different countries, he said.

"In Russia, democracy is who shouts the loudest," he said. "In the U.S., it's who has the most money."

Asked about the U.S. presidential race, Putin was complimentary of President George W. Bush, saying he likes him. He is a friendly, decent, predictable person, but "it is not about personalities," Putin said.

He said polls in Russia show 7 percent support for Bush, and 25 percent for Democratic challenger John Kerry.

:eek:

If this turns out to be true, I want those mid-level idiots heads on a platter. The Russians need our support right now - I say we give it to 'em. They're an important part of the war on terror too.

If he's correct, this is very sad. Russia has the potential to be a big ally in the GWOT, and we can't loose them to a few latter day Cold Warriors.

If this turns out to be true, I want those mid-level idiots heads on a platter. The Russians need our support right now - I say we give it to 'em. They're an important part of the war on terror too.

You said it - if we're involved in anyway w/the Chechen separatists, screw the election, these are *serious* (more serious than anybody before; Iraq war is too debatable) grounds for impeachment!

I like Putin, but take into consideration anything he says that we have been all over his "backyard" in the last few years with our involvement with Eastern Europe. Chechen rebels would be better compared to the IRA than al-qaida. I think you get some who are approaching the conflict in more peaceful manners and some who are bloodthirsty assholes who deserve to die.

WE WANT PEACE! So the first thing we're going to do is take a hostage a bunch of school children. Not a good way to make your point

WE WANT PEACE! So the first thing we're going to do is take a hostage a bunch of school children. Not a good way to make your point
Brilliant, compare an entire people to a few rogue idiots.

I like Putin, but take into consideration anything he says that we have been all over his "backyard" in the last few years with our involvement with Eastern Europe. Chechen rebels would be better compared to the IRA than al-qaida. I think you get some who are approaching the conflict in more peaceful manners and some who are bloodthirsty assholes who deserve to die.
The problem, however, is that al-Qaeda is involved in Chechnya. In fact, nine of the terrorists at the school were Arab, and one was Somali. The Chechens are definatly getting outside help.

The problem, however, is that al-Qaeda is involved in Chechnya. In fact, nine of the terrorists at the school were Arab, and one was Somali. The Chechens are definatly getting outside help.

This is absolutely true for a very small portion of Chechen separatists, ie those who want to see a pan-Arab state stretching all the way to the Caucauses. It was these people that were most likely involved in this horrible school event.

However, according to what I've read in the newspaper and seen on tv, the majority of people in Chechnya who are pro-independence are Chechen nationalists first, and Muslims second. They are not radical Islamists like those involved in the school siege.

It's really unfortunate that Arab Islamists (possibly Al-Qaeda) have got involved with an extreme fringe of the Chechen cause, as it has now tarnised their independence movement. Previously there was crititsism in the west (at least in Europe) of Russia's brutal stance in Chechnya. However, now with the association of Chechan seperatism with Al-Qaeda/radical Islam, I expect critisism will fall off to the fringes.

Brilliant, compare an entire people to a few rogue idiots.

Not that simple. There is a deep hatred in that region.

Noboy in their right mind can shoot children in the back and yet they did.

Their hatred let them not see the kids as children.

I have wandered around looking/reading responces and there are many "payback" analogies and or understandings.

Also, if they are outraged? Is the act or the fact they lost face in the world?

The Chechens lost a great deal of cridibility with me.

This is probably the first mission in the world that was planned and targeted against children.

Previous suicide bombs were only after body counts. Age was not a factor.

These Chechen and Jihadi pigs planned for kids.

Hey does anyone think that maybe Putin is trying to avoid blame in his failings. He is a huge failure, Kursk, Theater, and now this school. He just wants to make it appear to the world that he's not to blame and his Gov. owns the media so he can tell them what he wants

Hey does anyone think that maybe Putin is trying to avoid blame in his failings. He is a huge failure, Kursk, Theater, and now this school. He just wants to make it appear to the world that he's not to blame and his Gov. owns the media so he can tell them what he wants

Avoid blame? As in planned this or let it happen?

Doubltful.

They terrorists have basically played into his hands. He might have been in trouble but people are probably going to rally behind him and tell him to go get them.

Screw that murdering KGB bastard Putin. Screw those terrorists who killed those poor, innocent children, too. :mad:

This is absolutely true for a very small portion of Chechen separatists, ie those who want to see a pan-Arab state stretching all the way to the Caucauses. It was these people that were most likely involved in this horrible school event.

However, according to what I've read in the newspaper and seen on tv, the majority of people in Chechnya who are pro-independence are Chechen nationalists first, and Muslims second. They are not radical Islamists like those involved in the school siege.

It's really unfortunate that Arab Islamists (possibly Al-Qaeda) have got involved with an extreme fringe of the Chechen cause, as it has now tarnised their independence movement. Previously there was crititsism in the west (at least in Europe) of Russia's brutal stance in Chechnya. However, now with the association of Chechan seperatism with Al-Qaeda/radical Islam, I expect critisism will fall off to the fringes.
It is, however, a classic example. When a movement gets outside help, sooner or later, all will get involved. For this, unfortunatly, Russia has no one but itself to blame. Now they are corrupt, but during the first invasion, the Russian military was too afraid of casualties to fight hand-to-hand (sound familiar, Americans?). They instead did the far bloodier method of air and sea bombardment until nothing over a foot tall stood in Chechnya. I don't know their tactics now, but if they ever wish to quash the insurgency, they need more surgical strikes on militants, not wholesale strikes on anyone. In case you're gonna reply with this, btw, indepence for Chechnya is no option. It'll destabilize the Caucasus region, and it'll likely become al-Qaeda's new safe haven.
Anyhow, in the mean time, they need to head further south. They can start by distancing themselves from Iran, a terrorist state. Perhaps to show that they are serious, they can send a battalion or two into Iraq or Afghanistan. But if military options aren't available to Russia, diplomatic ones are. The big bear to the north has quite a bit of diplomatic weight.

Somehow it wouldn't surprise me. The American government has this thing for supporting two-bit tinpot manical dictators and "freedom fighters", who later turn out to be terrorists....

we can't loose them to a few latter day Cold Warriors. The neo-conservatives still see Russia as a threat.

He is a predictable person, but "it is not about personalities." Putin said.

Hahaha!!! :D