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Putin chooses New York Times to address the American people Putin chooses New York Times to address the American people
(6 days later)
The New York Times has a new op-ed contributor - step forward Vladimir V Putin, president of Russia.The New York Times has a new op-ed contributor - step forward Vladimir V Putin, president of Russia.
Although his article is headlined "A plea for caution from Russia", it is more of a warning than a plea. It begins:Although his article is headlined "A plea for caution from Russia", it is more of a warning than a plea. It begins:
"Recent events surrounding Syria have prompted me to speak directly to the American people and their political leaders."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."It is important to do so at a time of insufficient communication between our societies."
Coming so soon after the TV address to the US people by President Obama, it is an obvious attempt to spin an alternative line about the Syrian conflict. Here's the key passage:Coming so soon after the TV address to the US people by President Obama, it is an obvious attempt to spin an alternative line about the Syrian conflict. Here's the key passage:
"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."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 destabilise the Middle East and north Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance."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 destabilise the Middle East and north Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance."
Putin then sets out his analysis of the situation within Syria before reiterating his opinion that the Damascus gas attack of 21 August was not launched by the forces acting for Bashar al-Assad:Putin then sets out his analysis of the situation within Syria before reiterating his opinion that the Damascus gas attack of 21 August was not launched by the forces acting for Bashar al-Assad:
"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."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."Reports that militants are preparing another attack — this time against Israel — cannot be ignored."
Putin then moves on to make a general point. It is "alarming" he writes that it "has become commonplace" for the US to engage in "military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries." He adds:Putin then moves on to make a general point. It is "alarming" he writes that it "has become commonplace" for the US to engage in "military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries." He adds:
"Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force.""Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force."
He calls for an end to "the language of force" and a "return to the path of civilised diplomatic and political settlement."He calls for an end to "the language of force" and a "return to the path of civilised diplomatic and political settlement."
After writing of his appreciation that his "working and personal relationship with President Obama is marked by growing trust" he confronts Obama's claim to "American exceptionalism." Putin concludes:After writing of his appreciation that his "working and personal relationship with President Obama is marked by growing trust" he confronts Obama's claim to "American exceptionalism." Putin concludes:
"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."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."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."
What is certainly exceptional is the fact that Putin chose the New York Times to publicise his message. It is a feather in the newspaper's cap, confirming its status as America's major national title.What is certainly exceptional is the fact that Putin chose the New York Times to publicise his message. It is a feather in the newspaper's cap, confirming its status as America's major national title.
Source: New York TimesSource: New York Times
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