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President Obama Seeks to Build Up Medvedev Over Putin
July 06, 2009 9:53 AM
As a way to pressure the Kremlin to provide more human rights to Russians, President Obama made a point of giving an interview to the most independent publication in Russia, Novaya Gazeta, which has been highly critical of the Kremlin. Four Novaya Gazet reporters, including Putin critic Anna Politkovskaya, have been murdered in recent years.
The interview seemed to have been a way not only for the president to discuss human rights issues that the US may not currently have the leverage to push, but as a way to build up Russian President Dmitry Medvedev - who also gave Novaya Gazeta a recent interview -- and to seemingly dismiss Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Before Medvedev was elected in March 2008, a poll by the Levada Center found that 23 percent believed the incoming president would wield power; 20% though Putin would keep power, even as prime minister. Today, 30% believe Putin is in control, 50% believe Putin and Medvedev share power, and only 11% think Medvedev calls the shots.
"In my view, President Medvedev is a very thoughtful and progressive person,” President Obama said in a recent interview with Russian TV. “I believe he is ¬successfully leading Russia into the 21st century.”
In his interview with Novaya Gazet, President Obama was asked about his support, as a Senator, for a 2005 Senate resolution criticizing the sentencing and imprisonment of former YUKOS Oil managers Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev, a resolution that argued that "in investigations that present a threat to authorities, Russian courts become instruments of the Kremlin, and cannot be responsible or independent."
The prosecutions of Khodorkovsky and Lebedev have been condemned as an effort by Russian officials such as Putin to consolidate their power by persecuting Khodorkovsky, a liberal reformist billionaire.
Asked about the new trial of Khodorkovsky and Lebedev, Mr. Obama said he didn't "know the intimate details of these new proceedings," but suggested "it does seem odd to me that these new charges, which appear to be a repackaging of the old charges, should be surfacing now, years after these two individuals have been in prison and as they become eligible for parole." The president said he "would just affirm my support for President Medvedev’s courageous initiative to strengthen the rule of law in Russia, which of course includes making sure that all those accused of crimes have the right to a fair trial and that the courts are not used for political purposes.
In the interview, which was published today, the President was also asked if "restart"ing the US-Russian relationship would mean less attention paid to Russia’s observation of civil rights and civil liberties, Russian persecution and murders of journalists, "specifically, to [the need to] apprehend and punish those who ordered and committed the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya?"
"Of course not," the president responded, arguing that he believes "that Americans and Russians have a common interest in the development of rule of rule, the strengthening of democracy, and the protection of human rights."
The president then quoted his inaugural address: "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
He then also quoted his Cairo speech, saying, "I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights."
Said President Obama: "These are ideas embraced by your president and your people." He said that he agreed "with President Medvedev when he said that 'Freedom is better than the absence of freedom.' So, I see no reason why we cannot aspire together to strengthen democracy, human rights, and the rule of law as part of our 'reset.'"
In his interview with the Associated Press last week, President Obama said ""I think that it's important that even as we move forward with President Medvedev that Putin understand that the old Cold War approaches to U.S.-Russian relations is outdated. I think that Medvedev understands that I think that Putin has one foot in the old ways of doing business and one foot in the new."
This prompted Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to point out that President Obama had never met Mr. Putin.
"Such a point of view has nothing to do with a true understanding of Putin," Peskov said. "I am convinced that, after the meeting, the president will change his point of view."
Putin himself told reporters that "Russians don't know how to stand so awkwardly with their legs apart. We stand solidly on their own two feet and always look into the future."
The term Putin used for the awkward English translation of "standing awkwardly with their legs apart" comes from the folksy word "vraskoryachku," which one writer in the Moscow Times said "is an inappropriate vocabulary for a prime minister, particularly when it was used publicly to respond to the U.S. president."
Some Russian media have translated the term to mean bow-legged, others have said it means something along the lines of doing splits.
After this flap, President Obama said of Prime Minister Putin to Russian TV, “I haven’t met with Prime Minister Putin yet, but it’s obvious that he is a very strong leader of the Russian people,”
-jpt
July 6, 2009 in Obama, Barack | Permalink | Share | User Comments (50)
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Corporate . .. .
well, you can't ALWAYS trust headlines to be accurate. They're attempting to sum up a whole bunch of words, actions, event and exchanges into one short phrase - and that does not always result in a detailed, accurate or complete depiction of what's going on.
Plus they're supposed to be 'catchy'.
Posted by: danita | Jul 7, 2009 1:40:40 AM
Corporate . ...
"President Obama Seeks to Build Up Medvedev Over Putin"
You can't trust headlines to be accurate.
Posted by: danita | Jul 7, 2009 1:35:51 AM
"President Obama Seeks to Build Up Medvedev Over Putin"
Uh, isn't that interfering with the internal affairs of a foreign country?
What's next...The One will claim the Russians have weapons of mass destruction or something?
Posted by: Corporate | Jul 7, 2009 12:43:41 AM
"They can not, however, publish the claim that she is under investigation by the FBI after the FBI has stated that is untrue, without inviting a lawsuit intended to prevent them from tarnishing her reputation with this untruth."
I like Shannyn's response.
"Sarah Palin is a coward and a bully. What kind of politician attacks an ordinary American on the Fourth of July for speaking her mind? What’s wrong with her? The First Amendment was designed to protect people like me from the likes of people like her. Our American Revolution got rid of kings. And queens, too. Am I jacked-up? You betcha.
Sarah Palin, if you have a problem with me, then sue me. Shannyn Moore will not be muzzled!"
Posted by: Ryan C | Jul 6, 2009 6:36:04 PM
"You have that many people show up to rally for "health care reform" along the administration's model?"
Actually quite a few people did rally for healthcare reform last week.
"Yes, someone apparently exaggerated a number here. You seem relieved, because you can jump on that and ignore all the other examples of big turnouts at hundreds of rallies across the country that disprove your contention that the movement has lost steam"
What other examples of big turnouts?
They seem to be a bust all around without FoxNews non stop promotion.
Posted by: Ryan C | Jul 6, 2009 6:32:53 PM
"So Sarah Palin's lawyer doesn't need a memo sent-- he is aware of the law"
He is?
Doesn't seem that way.
Posted by: Ryan C | Jul 6, 2009 6:26:52 PM
Hundreds of thousands took to the streets to protest against the attack on Iraq.
Posted by: danita | Jul 6, 2009 6:26:19 PM
"So, Ryan, you are arguing that 5000 people in Dallas is not a good turnout?"
Actually the argument was the 5000 in April suddenly increased 7 fold in July.
And 5000 people showing up to chant for secession is not all that much.
"You have that many people show up for anti-war protests on the Fourth of July in Dallas during the Bush years?"
Most anti-war protests coincide with the invasion in March so I doubt there are many anti war protests on the 4th at all.
Also while Dallas is certainly in the heart of red country people did protest before the invasion.
"The Dallas Coalition Against War in Iraq, sponsors of the event, said about 3,500 people joined in the hourlong march from the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center to the Kennedy Memorial plaza. Dallas police put the turnout at 1,100."
Posted by: Ryan C | Jul 6, 2009 6:25:14 PM
So, Ryan, you are arguing that 5000 people in Dallas is not a good turnout? You have that many people show up for anti-war protests on the Fourth of July in Dallas during the Bush years? Didn't think so. You have that many people show up to rally for "health care reform" along the administration's model?" Didn't think so. Yes, someone apparently exaggerated a number here. You seem relieved, because you can jump on that and ignore all the other examples of big turnouts at hundreds of rallies across the country that disprove your contention that the movement has lost steam. Selectivity is grand, ain't it?
Posted by: moderate | Jul 6, 2009 5:41:57 PM
Ryan, Ryan, Ryan-- what has gotten into you? America has always celebrated free speech, but we have also always had laws against defamation, libel and slander. So Sarah Palin's lawyer doesn't need a memo sent-- he is aware of the law. Bloggers and journalists are free to say ridiculous things about Palin-- they can say she's stupid or she's ugly, both of which are not true but neither of which is libel or slander under existing standards in America. They can not, however, publish the claim that she is under investigation by the FBI after the FBI has stated that is untrue, without inviting a lawsuit intended to prevent them from tarnishing her reputation with this untruth.
Posted by: moderate | Jul 6, 2009 5:37:32 PM
"Free speech and peaceful demonstration is the main point here."
You mean like what's happening in Honduras right now where people are being shot at with rubber bullets and live ammunition?
Posted by: danita | Jul 6, 2009 4:22:00 PM
When the reboot takes place and the question, "Is Honduras part of the United States?" comes up, please press N for No.
Free speech is a right in the United States, legal actions notwithstanding, and is not a "universal right" as President Obama seems to think.
Posted by: Traffic Cop Timmy | Jul 6, 2009 4:17:51 PM
Putin is da man, a great Russian leader!
Diss him about 'cold war' nonsense, and Obama had to 'climb' his bahind 'down'. lol
Are Russians meddling in US affairs concerning governance and the like?
So who died and make US 'king of the world', where we can suggest without being ask or impose ourselves on other nations?
How old is Russian culture again?
How old is US society again?
Who's more mature? THE RUSSIANS! That is why they, like the Chinese, know to not meddle in affairs of others.
How many 911 must US endure before it 'grows up' and cease the meddling.
The Russian people are mature enough and smart enough to decide on their form and style of governance.
Putin is overwhelmingly adored by Russians, more than Obama is by Americans.
So to dump on Putin is to dump on the Russian people and imply that they don't know the hell they are doing, even after all these centuries of running their own country.
Any attempt to dictate to meddle and dictate to Russians WILL FAIL.
In style maybe, but in substance, Medvedev IS NO different from Putin as Russian leaders. They BOTH have the same ends in mind.
Obama would be foolish to believe otherwise or try to play Medvedev against Putin. Russians are not idiots. And the Russians are the ones who decisively beat back Napoleon & Hitler!
Posted by: Patriot | Jul 6, 2009 4:13:07 PM
The russian expression "Khodit v raskoryachky" means the following:
If someone "khodit v raskoryachku" they while walking adopt a posture resembling that which is usually used to readily demonstrate and offer their arse hole
Posted by: Alexey | Jul 6, 2009 3:35:16 PM
"Free speech and peaceful demonstration is the main point here."
You mean like what's happening in Honduras right now where people are being shot at with rubber bullets and live ammunition?
Posted by: danita | Jul 6, 2009 3:18:52 PM
"The important thing is that - so far - the right to free speech still exists in this country"
May want to send this guy a memo:
Gov. Sarah Palin’s attorney threatened Saturday to sue mainstream news organizations if they publish “defamatory” stories relating to whether Palin is under federal investigation.
This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law,” Van Flein warned, citing Alaska liberal blogger Shannyn Moore.
Posted by: Ryan C | Jul 6, 2009 3:16:10 PM
The actual point of my post which bears repeating:
"The important thing is that - so far - the right to free speech still exists in this country and that U.S. citizens who are so moved may freely express themselves peacefully. No spitting, yelling, cursing, blood-throwing, shoe-throwing, flag-burning."
The MSM lowballing numbers is not surprising to me. But then when someone wearing pink shows up, it's on the Nightly News. The numbers game is a sideshow. Free speech and peaceful demonstration is the main point here.
Posted by: Traffic Cop Timmy | Jul 6, 2009 2:55:52 PM
"I know anecdotally that there were hundreds of parties on the holiday and that, while few seem to have had the huge crowds they had on tax day, they had large numbers."
"Fox didn't report on them extensively, nor did the other cable networks, as everyone was busy obsessing over sarah palin and the jackson circus"
Fox news wasn't interested in the ratings so they did not promote it hence the crowd size was tiny compared to just a few months ago.
Tea parties are right wing astroturf.
Without a fireworks display or Hannity, only the nutballs are left.
Posted by: Ryan C | Jul 6, 2009 2:35:19 PM
"The Tea Party organizers aren’t surprised by the MSM games of lowballing numbers. And they are not letting it distract them from their agenda." -MM
ROLFMAO!
Michele Malkin who thought internment was such a good idea that we should do it now.
Posted by: Ryan C | Jul 6, 2009 2:31:49 PM
"Dallas Tea Party this weekend inspired and motivated by the massive turnout of citizen activists. The official county estimate of the day-long event’s crowd: 37,000!"
ROFLMAO!
Michele Malkin reports, right wingers swallow.
"The Collin County Constable’s office has affirmed total attendance over the course of the day at 37,000"
Who is the Collin County Constable?
"The Constable is the chief process server of the precinct and is also required to serve as the bailiff in the Justice of the Peace courts."
And in another article:
"Parker police did not return calls seeking verification of attendance numbers."
Attendance at the Dallas tea party on April 15th was 5000.
But hey just like gullible right wingers believe Sarah Palin is national leader who would never give up on them, I guess I should not be surprised that right wingers believe the tea party movement has exploded seven fold.
Posted by: Ryan C | Jul 6, 2009 2:30:11 PM
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