Condi Lets Russia Have It
Filed under: Russia
"We want Russia to be strong, strong in 21st-century terms, not just with a strong independent center, but with strong independent institutions, an independent judiciary and legislature and independent civil society with a free media and vibrant non-governmental sector. Democratic institutions and a free society are not a source of weakness, they are a source of strength in a dynamic and modern world."
--US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaking yesterday at a history conference on U.S. Soviet relations (how's that for the cherry on top of the sundae?)
Ouch! "Strong in 21st-century terms." Translation from diplomaticese: "Russia, stop being so barbaric and try your hand at civilization for a while. You might like it." Way to go, Condi! The gloves are off at last!
Meanwhile, the Weekly Standard exposes Russia's "tyrant-in-waiting" on Kosovo as Russians busy themselves digging up and re-installing statues of Stalin. That's the backstory.
And even benighted President Bush seems to have awoken from his eye-peering stupor on Russia, making a major speech calling for missile defense in Europe no matter what Russia wants.
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