Russian President Laments Death of Soviet Union in Campaign Speech

[rodbarnett]

MOSCOW (AP) - President Vladimir Putin used a campaign speech Thursday to declare the demise of the Soviet Union a "national tragedy on an enormous scale," in what appeared to be his strongest-ever lament of the collapse of the Soviet empire.
Putin, a former agent of the Soviet KGB spy agency, has praised aspects of the Soviet Union in the past but never so robustly nor in such an important political setting.

"The breakup of the Soviet Union is a national tragedy on an enormous scale," from which "only the elites and nationalists of the republics gained," Putin said in a nationally televised speech to about 300 campaign workers gathered at Moscow State University.

The president's language was sure to send a chill through the 14 other former Soviet republics that have been independent from Moscow rule for more than a decade

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGATMN4ALQD.html

comment : cold war II

[Fenris]

1. And the sad thing is

He may not be entirely wrong, given the poor condition post-Soviet "democratic" Russia is in. Though I'm sure the 14 republics would definitely disagree.

[Robb]

2. I saw this movie. nt

[keopeli]

3. Having lived in Moscow...

Having lived in Moscow during the coup and demise of the Soviet Union, and having contact with friends currently living there, I believe that this is Putin responding to polls of Russians for his election. This also makes sense by our own standards, because this is what our politicians do as well.

The 'cold war II' comment is terrifying and, at best, unrealistic. The entire Russian infrastructure has changed, as well as its demographics and size and wealth. We may be facing a cold war that has parallels to the last, but let's not jump on the "Communism will return from the grave" bandwagon just now. We've got some major problems at hand that, if dealth with properly, may prevent another cold war.

Keo

Point of clarification: If you think of this from the perspective of someone living in Russia, his words are a reflection on the national tragedy that is the reality that everyone there is living with. The demise of the Soviet Union was horrible for everyone, Russian citizens include. To move now into a democracy, they must have a government that reflects their reality and 'makes hay' with what they have to boost themselves economically and socially. That's what democracies do.

None of this, of course, says anything about Putin as a leader. Whether he is good or bad, he is empathizing with the electorate, which is exactly what our politicians do.

Keo

[Yerta Bulti]

5. No it wasn't

"The demise of the Soviet Union was horrible for everyone, Russian citizens include."

No it wasn't, it was great for non Russians, they were really pleased. I've been to Estonia a few times and no one wants Russia / USSR back - except for some of the Russian ethnics who miss lording it over the locals.

If what Putin is saying were correct you could point to mass movements of non "elites" and non "nationalists" in the ex soviet republics organising and asking for Russias return. They do not exist and Putin is full of shit. If Putin wants to get the baltic states back he'd better hurry, they join the EU in May.

Not as certain about the other states but I'd bet Russian rule is not winning popularity contests in any ex soviet state. Putin is just appealing to Russian vanity and insecurity, of which there seems an infinite supply.

Russia is a corrupt economic basket case and Putin pushing these buttons with the masses is disturbing and kind of pathetic.

[0rganism]

4. Strange, I kind of miss the USSR too

Everything was so much simpler back then. We had MAD, an Evil Empire to blame for everything, and we all knew where we stood. Nowadays, everywhere you look, it's asymmetrical low-intensity warfare.

[Bandit]

6. Do you think if the Soviet Union were still intact that terrorism wouldn't

be a problem in the world today? I think we would just have additional problems not less. Nothing stays the same. We can just hope as things change they do so for the better and I believe the collapse of the Soviet Union was for the better. Granted some of our current problems like Yugoslavia and Afghanistan would not be here but others would just take their place.

[kodi]

7. i guess putin was hiding this part of his soul from bush in '01

russia is one big mafia.

[tom_paine]

10. No, Putin is Bush's soulmate. They are both Totalitarian Scum

Abd Putin has used the Bushevik Playbook much more effectively than the Emperor himself in dismantling democracy and election.

To be fair to Emperor Bunnypants*, Putin had a much easier job because the Russians didn;t have the 225 year traditions of liberty anddissent and free election we have.

And THAT makes all the difference. God Bless those Foundign fathers, who saw Bush in our future and did everything they could to make it slow and difficult for him to implement Operation Ending Freedom.

Dare I hope that the immune system of the Old American Republic is sufficient to rise up and stop the Imperials?

It's too much to hope for, but hope I shall!

[VolcanoJen]

8. Were there previous Putin laments on the Demise of the USSR?

The article points to this quote as "what appeared to be his strongest-ever lament of the collapse of the Soviet empire."

:-)

[maggrwaggr]

9. I coulda been an emporer!

instead of the president of this lousy little country.

He's working on being a dictator for life, doing a fine job of it.