n e r b l e

Putin Takes Bush's Side Against Democrats on Iraq

Reuters
Thursday, June 10, 2004; 8:41 PM


SEA ISLAND, Ga (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin stepped into the U.S. political campaign on Thursday, saying the Democrats had "no moral right" to criticize President Bush over Iraq.



The Kremlin leader, answering a reporter's question in Sea Island, Georgia, suggested that the Democrats were two-faced in criticizing Bush on Iraq since it had been the Clinton administration that authorized the 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia by U.S. and NATO forces.

The reporter had asked Putin to respond to U.S. press articles questioning Russia's place at the G8 feast of leading industrial countries.

Putin brushed these off, saying such articles were part of an internal U.S. political debate.

He went on: "I am deeply convinced that President Bush's political adversaries have no moral right to attack him over Iraq because they did exactly the same.

"It suffices to recall Yugoslavia. Now look at them. They don't like what President Bush is doing in Iraq."

Russia was adamantly opposed to the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, as it has been to the U.S.-led military operation Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein.

At the same time, Putin forged a strong friendship with Bush by offering immediate support in the global fight against terrorism. Both men go out of their way now to avoid criticizing each other publicly.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2004Jun10.html

*Lauren

I HATE when foriegn leaders get involved in other countries domestic problems, no damn right to be there.

I can understand where Putin is coming from, but the man really has no leg to stand on here.

SuperDeluxe

I am completely fine with Putin backing Bush against the democrats.


Especially when no one seemed to complain when Kerry was getting support from other foreign leaders.

*Lauren

And I think that's inappropriate. Until a person is a leader, it has nothing to do with other countries. I feel the exact same way about Bushie saying how bad it would be for Australia, America and the war on terror if our oppisition came into power. FLAMES!

AlexEvans

First, the point regarding Yugoslavia is one I've been trying to make. Especially when people pretend the outrage against Bush is something new - exactly the same things were said about Clinton.

Secondly, in both cases the wilder criticisms are absurd.

Thirdly, even if Putin is - for a change - right, he shouldn't be saying it right now. He's the leader of a foreign nation, and shouldn't be commenting publicly on our election.