Russia takes over G8

[cal04]

Russia has taken over as chairman of the G8 group of leading industrialised nations for the first time. It is thought that Russia will use the chairmanship to try to reassert its position as a global power.

It will seek to prove to the bigger economies in the G8 group, such as the United States, Japan and Germany, how much they need Russia because of its huge oil and gas supplies.

The Russian chairmanship faces criticism from some quarters.

Some US senators have criticised its human rights record and lack of free speech and have argued that Russia should not even be a member of the G8, let alone its chairman.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1540382.htm

[Greeby]

1. Wonder which Senators those would be?

Bet they're Patriot Act-loving, torture-ban-rejecting Repukes :eyes:

[psychopomp]

4. Sen. McCain said Russia is not worthy of the honor

Who would be? Berlusconi? No. Bush? No. Koizumi? You get the picture.

[Cha]

6. That would be the

Unpatriot act.

[PATRICK]

2. Also head of the Security Council?

Until this summer, I think. Who comes up after Russia? Oh yes, a big pivot, and not necessarily a concern because of its poor civil rights record! Try its position vis a vis the PNAC wet dream and the Iranian targeting without UN approval.

The WH has handed the Russian chair a white hat. Nice job, GB.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Russia to shock and awe Amerika for not only having but also

for using weapons of mass destruction, without legitimate cause, without hesitation. Russia views Amerika as a threat and has cited Amerika's policy of preemptive war for it's present attitude that attacking Amerika is a legal and just move.

[rfkrfk]

5. this is meaningless

kinda reminds me of the rotating
presidency of the EU

[ny_liberal]

7. agreed