Vladimir Putin takes his case directly to the American people

[Soldier Gryphon]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/o...aution-from-russia-on-syria.html?src=twr&_r=3&

A Plea for Caution From Russia

By VLADIMIR V. PUTIN

MOSCOW — RECENT events surrounding Syria have prompted me to speak directly to the American people and their political leaders. It is important to do so at a time of insufficient communication between our societies.

Relations between us have passed through different stages. We stood against each other during the cold war. But we were also allies once, and defeated the Nazis together. The universal international organization — the United Nations — was then established to prevent such devastation from ever happening again.
The United Nations’ founders understood that decisions affecting war and peace should happen only by consensus, and with America’s consent the veto by Security Council permanent members was enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The profound wisdom of this has underpinned the stability of international relations for decades.
No one wants the United Nations to suffer the fate of the League of Nations, which collapsed because it lacked real leverage. This is possible if influential countries bypass the United Nations and take military action without Security Council authorization.
The potential strike by the United States against Syria, despite strong opposition from many countries and major political and religious leaders, including the pope, will result in more innocent victims and escalation, potentially spreading the conflict far beyond Syria’s borders. A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and further destabilize the Middle East and North Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance.

Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy, but an armed conflict between government and opposition in a multireligious country. There are few champions of democracy in Syria. But there are more than enough Qaeda fighters and extremists of all stripes battling the government. The United States State Department has designated Al Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, fighting with the opposition, as terrorist organizations. This internal conflict, fueled by foreign weapons supplied to the opposition, is one of the bloodiest in the world.
Mercenaries from Arab countries fighting there, and hundreds of militants from Western countries and even Russia, are an issue of our deep concern. Might they not return to our countries with experience acquired in Syria? After all, after fighting in Libya, extremists moved on to Mali. This threatens us all.
From the outset, Russia has advocated peaceful dialogue enabling Syrians to develop a compromise plan for their own future. We are not protecting the Syrian government, but international law. We need to use the United Nations Security Council and believe that preserving law and order in today’s complex and turbulent world is one of the few ways to keep international relations from sliding into chaos. The law is still the law, and we must follow it whether we like it or not. Under current international law, force is permitted only in self-defense or by the decision of the Security Council. Anything else is unacceptable under the United Nations Charter and would constitute an act of aggression.
No one doubts that poison gas was used in Syria. But there is every reason to believe it was used not by the Syrian Army, but by opposition forces, to provoke intervention by their powerful foreign patrons, who would be siding with the fundamentalists. Reports that militants are preparing another attack — this time against Israel — cannot be ignored.
It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has become commonplace for the United States. Is it in America’s long-term interest? I doubt it. Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force, cobbling coalitions together under the slogan “you’re either with us or against us.”
But force has proved ineffective and pointless. Afghanistan is reeling, and no one can say what will happen after international forces withdraw. Libya is divided into tribes and clans. In Iraq the civil war continues, with dozens killed each day. In the United States, many draw an analogy between Iraq and Syria, and ask why their government would want to repeat recent mistakes.
No matter how targeted the strikes or how sophisticated the weapons, civilian casualties are inevitable, including the elderly and children, whom the strikes are meant to protect.
The world reacts by asking: if you cannot count on international law, then you must find other ways to ensure your security. Thus a growing number of countries seek to acquire weapons of mass destruction. This is logical: if you have the bomb, no one will touch you. We are left with talk of the need to strengthen nonproliferation, when in reality this is being eroded.
We must stop using the language of force and return to the path of civilized diplomatic and political settlement.
A new opportunity to avoid military action has emerged in the past few days. The United States, Russia and all members of the international community must take advantage of the Syrian government’s willingness to place its chemical arsenal under international control for subsequent destruction. Judging by the statements of President Obama, the United States sees this as an alternative to military action.
I welcome the president’s interest in continuing the dialogue with Russia on Syria. We must work together to keep this hope alive, as we agreed to at the Group of 8 meeting in Lough Erne in Northern Ireland in June, and steer the discussion back toward negotiations.
If we can avoid force against Syria, this will improve the atmosphere in international affairs and strengthen mutual trust. It will be our shared success and open the door to cooperation on other critical issues.
My working and personal relationship with President Obama is marked by growing trust. I appreciate this. I carefully studied his address to the nation on Tuesday. And I would rather disagree with a case he made on American exceptionalism, stating that the United States’ policy is “what makes America different. It’s what makes us exceptional.” It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal.

White House has already responded to it:

UPDATE: The White House responded to Putin’s op-ed, telling CNN’s Jake Tapper:
“That’s all irrelevant,” the White House official said in response. “He put this proposal forward and he’s now invested in it. That’s good. That’s the best possible reaction. He’s fully invested in Syria’s CW disarmament and that’s potentially better than a military strike – which would deter and degrade but wouldn’t get rid of all the chemical weapons. He now owns this. He has fully asserted ownership of it and he needs to deliver.”

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/201...tly-to-the-american-people-in-ny-times-op-ed/

What do you guys think? Personally I think Putin is really making Obama look bad in this situation.

 

[DarkPassenger]

He is. I wouldn't blame Obama entirely. You have AIPAC and the powerful Jewish Lobby that has more influence in our foreign Policy than others combined. The Russian Parliament, including Putin don't have to answer to anyone.

 

[GeorgeSoros]

Uh, Jewish lobby? I'm not going to go there. Obviously, Putin has his own motivations for saying what he said, but he does make a good point. And I think all the world leaders should make an appeal to the American people directly instead of trying to go through our political leaders.

 

[rankandfile]

I'm certain that Putin treats his own "constituents" with such fairness and respect.
He's a shyster.

 

[sharkboy1200]

Now if only Putin can treat his own citizens with his amount of respect.

 

[GeorgeSoros]

He is right to address America directly. What he does in his own country isn't relevant.

 

[BDaddyK]

Uh, Jewish lobby? I'm not going to go there. Obviously, Putin has his own motivations for saying what he said, but he does make a good point. And I think all the world leaders should make an appeal to the American people directly instead of trying to go through our political leaders.

I don't know what good that's gonna do considering a good majority of the American people oppose any American involvement in Syria as it is now, not like our political leaders listen to their constituents...

 

[GeorgeSoros]

I don't know what good that's gonna do considering a good majority of the American people oppose any American involvement in Syria as it is now, not like our political leaders listen to their constituents...

He's getting people talking and forcing our news stations to actually talk about the real potential consequences of a strike on Syria. They can't dance around this stuff when someone like Putin speaks directly to the American people and it goes viral.

 

[BDaddyK]

He's getting people talking and forcing our news stations to actually talk about the real potential consequences of a strike on Syria. They can't dance around this stuff when someone like Putin speaks directly to the American people and it goes viral.

Only thing is it wouldn't be the American people that prompted the US to sit out anything Syria related, it would be Putin.

 

[sharkboy1200]

He is right to address America directly. What he does in his own country isn't relevant.

Never said he was wrong to address America, not sure where you got that from. Plus, he's imprisoned people for "gay propaganda." That's kind of a big deal. He's taken a good step in the right direction of becoming a better human being, but until gay people don't have to fear going to prison because they kiss in public or protest for gay rights, then he's still a stones throw away.

 

[rankandfile]

He is right to address America directly. What he does in his own country isn't relevant.

Regardless of his rights (its what makes this country special!) it IS relevant what he does in his own country for his words to carry any weight. This is not 'do as I say, not as do" scenario. Please don't defend this schmuck.

 

[Hammerclaw]

I think Obama played Congress and even his own people like puppets, and had worked this out with Putin, weeks ago.

 

[rankandfile]

Well, Putin did what no other could do; unite Congress in revulsion. This will backfire on that idiot tyrant.

 

[Tony_Cliffton]

Well, Putin did what no other could do; unite Congress in revulsion. This will backfire on that idiot tyrant.

No it won't.

 

[GeorgeSoros]

Only thing is it wouldn't be the American people that prompted the US to sit out anything Syria related, it would be Putin.

That's true. Obviously, he has his own motives.

Never said he was wrong to address America, not sure where you got that from. Plus, he's imprisoned people for "gay propaganda." That's kind of a big deal. He's taken a good step in the right direction of becoming a better human being, but until gay people don't have to fear going to prison because they kiss in public or protest for gay rights, then he's still a stones throw away.

No, you didn't say it, but I'm just saying. In the 70s-80s they were arresting people for going to gay bars in NYC. It took us a long while to change and it will take them a long while to change.

 

[MrSnrub]

Putin says that we're not special, which totally contradicts what my mommy has been telling me for years.

 

[sharkboy1200]

No, you didn't say it, but I'm just saying. In the 70s-80s they were arresting people for going to gay bars in NYC. It took us a long while to change and it will take them a long while to change.

What? You didn't say anything close to that. You said it wasn't relevant. Big difference. Of course it's gonna take them a while. Gay rights haven't even fully taken place in our country. Won't stop me from saying that imprisoning people for public displays of "gay propaganda" is total BS.

 

[GeorgeSoros]

What? You didn't say anything close to that. You said it wasn't relevant. Big difference. Of course it's gonna take them a while. Gay rights haven't even fully taken place in our country. Won't stop me from saying that imprisoning people for public displays of "gay propaganda" is total BS.

I don't consider it relevant. He made a good point. And he's right. We have a higher quality of life than they do over in Russia, but that doesn't mean we are entitled to be judge and jury over another country.

Remember, America created this civil war in Syria.

The State Department has secretly financed Syrian political opposition groups and related projects, including a satellite TV channel that beams anti-government programming into the country, according to previously undisclosed diplomatic cables. - Washington Post

Now we want to escalate the situation. It's nonsense.

 

[rankandfile]

I don't consider it relevant. He made a good point. And he's right. We have a higher quality of life than they do over in Russia, but that doesn't mean we are entitled to be judge and jury over another country.

Remember, America created this civil war in Syria.



Now we want to escalate the situation. It's nonsense.

.

I don't consider it relevant. He made a good point. And he's right. We have a higher quality of life than they do over in Russia, but that doesn't mean we are entitled to be judge and jury over another country.

Remember, America created this civil war in Syria.



Now we want to escalate the situation. It's nonsense.

So you're saying that we started the civil war? Your quote doesn't prove that we have come to the aide of Syrian rebels prior to the civil war. The Arab spring was bound to happen with or without us.

 

[rankandfile]

weird. I have to get used to the new format

 

[GeorgeSoros]

.

So you're saying that we started the civil war? Your quote doesn't prove that we have come to the aide of Syrian rebels prior to the civil war. The Arab spring was bound to happen with or without us.

The U.S. money for Syrian opposition figures began flowing under President George W. Bush after he effectively froze political ties with Damascus in 2005. The financial backing has continued under President Obama, even as his administration sought to rebuild relations with Assad. In January, the White House posted an ambassador to Damascus for the first time in six years. - Washington Post

Yeah, this was all planned long in advance.

 

[sharkboy1200]

I don't consider it relevant. He made a good point. And he's right. We have a higher quality of life than they do over in Russia, but that doesn't mean we are entitled to be judge and jury over another country.

Remember, America created this civil war in Syria.

We have a higher quality of life and that's reason enough to just let it slide? BS, I'm gonna judge his ass big time for doing that crap. His whole reason is to protect children, like they'll scarred for life because they see two men kissing. It's ridiculous and there's no good reasoning for it. If you or anyone thinks that people against those actions are just gonna keep quiet then you're gonna be sorely disappointed. If anything, all of his actions and words will only bring more focus to the laws getting enforced. Especially with the upcoming Olympics. Like I said, until he's made up for his own mistakes, he'll always be a stones throw away from being someone who says one thing and does another.

 

[rankandfile]

Yeah, this was all planned long in advance.

Yeah, this was all planned long in advance.

The civil war didnt start until 2011. what, did Bush send flowers to all the peaceful protesters before they were annhilated? The only thing that Bush did was Sanction Syria.
A nefarious quote from the post isnt going to prove that they were arming and starting the civil war.

Mr. Bush issued an executive order banning virtually all American exports, except for food and medicine, and barring flights between Syria and the United States, except during emergencies. The president also told the Treasury Department to freeze the assets of Syrians with known ties to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, the occupation of Lebanon or terrorist activities in Iraq.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/12/w...ctions-on-syria-citing-ties-to-terrorism.html

 

[astrograd]

Cant' stand Putin, but I do like the concept of writing op-eds directly to an electorate. Props for that idea.

 

[Hammerclaw]

Funny how the worm has turned. Here it is us, now inspiring and supporting an insurgency, while the Russians are desperately trying to prop up a corrupt, capitalistic dictatorship. It's enough to make the armchair Bolsheviks among us squirm in their seats.

 

[Hammerclaw]

Putin, as far Russian leaders go, is pretty moderate, well, as opposed to Boris Yeltsin, who was an unabashed libertarian. I think he sees himself in the roll of Caesar Augustus, trying to strengthen the best of the old ways, and restore the pride and moral integrity of his country., and his people. I don't agree with him, approve of him, or particularly like him, But I do have a sneaking admiration FOR him. The man is a player, and he does love his country, or, at least, what he perceives his country was and should be.

 

[GeorgeSoros]

The civil war didnt start until 2011. what, did Bush send flowers to all the peaceful protesters before they were annhilated? The only thing that Bush did was Sanction Syria.
A nefarious quote from the post isnt going to prove that they were arming and starting the civil war.


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/12/w...ctions-on-syria-citing-ties-to-terrorism.html

My quote says they started giving money to the opposition way back in 2005.

The money spent on these programs was minute compared with efforts led by the Pentagon. But as American officials and others look back at the uprisings of the Arab Spring, they are seeing that the United States’ democracy-building campaigns played a bigger role in fomenting protests than was previously known, with key leaders of the movements having been trained by the Americans in campaigning, organizing through new media tools and monitoring elections. - Ny Times

It's clear that we started all this.

Arabesque Americaine leaves absolutely no doubt that the "Arab Spring" -- like the earlier "color revolutions" in eastern Europe -- were almost certainly destabilization/regime change operations, funded and orchestrated by the CIA, State Department, historic CIA-funded foundations -- and last, but not least, Google.

Bensaada's 120-page book provides a carefully researched and referenced account of each of the foundations that are "exporting democracy" to MENA (the Middle East and North Africa ), along with an exact accounting of the millions of dollars given to each country in 2009 and the specific groups the funds went to.

My favorite chapter was the one describing the role these foundations, the State Department, and Google have played in training young MENA activists in the use of social media (e.g. Facebook and Twitter). I was particularly interested in the free access and training they provide international youth activists on TOR, a special software designed to evade government surveillance (which, under the Patriot Act, is illegal in the US ). - Read The Full Story

That's Hilarious. Google even trained the opposition leaders on how to use Facebook and Twitter. Because they knew helping them learn how to use Google+ wouldn't have done them any good.

 

[rankandfile]

Fair enough, can't blame the US for spreading democracy. its way better for the old style of puppet regimes.
Back to Putin

Putin to do list:
1. Throw opponents in jail.
2. Provide lethal weapons to Assad.
3. Bomb Chechens.
4. Go to KGB alumni luncheon.
5. Throw p**** Riot in jail.
6. Discriminate against gays.
7. Bomb Georgians.
8. Criticize America.

yea, what a guy

 

[jimmyD]

I say bomb Syria into oblivion and let the muslim brotherhood/taliban take over. What is the worst thing that could happen?

 

[Soldier Gryphon]

I say bomb Syria into oblivion and let the muslim brotherhood/taliban take over. What is the worst thing that could happen?

A lack of basic human rights? Christians and Jews being targeted and killed? The women being unable to get a basic education or even show their face? Israel continually being shelled every week by government supported terrorists?

Oh wait, you mean for us? Well, I guess not much. But we don't exactly appreciate it. And them just always being there as a potential threat to Israel and other U.S. interests tends to be annoying after a while.