RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – May 11, 2009
Source: http://www.robertamsterdam.com/2009/05/ras_daily_russian_news_blast_-_may_11_2009.htmPosted on Monday, May 11th, 2009 | In Market Commentary, Russia
Sergei Lavrov’s meeting with Hillary Clinton has apparently reaped ‘reassuring’ results. Putin has said in an interview with the Japanese media that NATO’s military exercises are a sticking point in US-Russia relations and hopes that America will ‘hit the brake hard‘.
The Prime Minister has made clear that for Russia the issues of nuclear
disarmament and Washington’s planned missile-defense system are ‘inseparably bound up’. The Guardian finds Russia’s policy of polarizing Europe and NATO ‘baffling’. Putin has urged against upping the ‘emotional temperature’ and risking a renewed arms race with North Korea.
‘I know that he is a decent man, who will consider his political future through the prism of national interests and results of our joint work’: Putin has implied that the management of the financial downturn will effect who will run for President in 2012. The Prime Minister has added that criticism of the government is welcome ‘particularly in the time of the crisis’. Is this Putin planning a 2012 comeback? asks the Guardian.
President Medvedev did not desist from adopting a hawkish tone at Putin’s restored
Victory Day parade, saying, ‘Defense of our homeland is our holy duty…
We are sure that any aggression against our citizens will be decisively
rebuffed‘, and that
‘military adventures‘ (widely taken as a barbed reference to Georgia) would not be
tolerated. The Other Russia reports that the law criminalizing denial of a Soviet victory
in World War Two may be used to clamp down on
attempts to honor anti-Soviet resistance movements in other parts of the former USSR.
The Times wonders if the military fanfare, more extravagant
than that of last year, can hide the weaknesses afflicting Russia’s
army? In other outlandish displays of nationalism, Vladimir Putin
joined a schoolgirl in a rendition of a famous war time song and was seen to draw a smiley face on a blackboard.
The former editor of London’s Evening Standard has slammed owner Alexander Lebedev’s ‘Pravda-style’ approach, commenting, “Saying ’sorry’ for the past smacks of a Soviet courtroom ‘confession’“. To read an interview with Tanya Lokshina, deputy director for Human Rights Watch and friend of murdered human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov, see the Washington Post.
PHOTO: Russian World War Two veterans sing wartime songs while celebrating Victory Day, May 9, 2009, at a park in Moscow. (AFP/Yuri Kadobnov)
Last 5 posts by Robert Amsterdam
- Energy Blast - Nov 26, 2009 - November 26th, 2009
- Today in Russian Business - Nov 26, 2009 - November 26th, 2009
- RA's Daily Russian News Blast - Nov 26, 2009 - November 26th, 2009
- How to Earn Putin Points and Survive in Russian Business - November 25th, 2009
- Putin's Eye of the Tiger - November 25th, 2009
Alexander Lebedev, America, Europe, Evening Standard, Georgia, hillary clinton, Human Rights Watch, law criminalizing denial;, London, Market Commentary, Medvedev, Moscow, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, North Korea, Pravda;, Russia, Russia, Russia's army;, Sergei Lavrov, Stanislav Markelov, Tanya Lokshina;, the Guardian, the Times, the Washington Post, United States, Victory Day;, vladimir putin, Washington, Washington Post, Yuri Kadobnov;
 About Robert Amsterdam (http://www.robertamsterdam.com/)
Robert Amsterdam is a lawyer and an advocate for rule of law. His blog was created to express views which may stimulate debate and discussion on topics of international interest. Robert believes that we live in a world of unchallenged impunity, and he views his blog as merely a small attempt to shine a light on issues he views as important in countries with which he is engaged. He make no apologies or pretense of objectivity - he is merely stating his opinions. |
No recommendations, either expressed or implied, are being made to buy, sell, hold or short any of the mentioned stocks. No legal, tax or accounting advice is expressed or implied. Always contact your attorney, CPA, or tax advisor before acting on any legal or tax issues. StraightStocks.com is not responsible for the content, products, or services of any of the advertisers on this site. StraightStocks.com receives compensation from advertisers on this blog. Services and products referred to herein are trademarks, registered trademarks, servicemarks, and/or registered servicemarks of their respective trademark or servicemark owners.