Bored with the "Cold"
Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, gets high marks for trumping Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, for rhetorical skill. Characterizing how the US and Russia are "bored with the cold atmosphere" is pithier than Putin's checklist appeal to every progressive cause in the Bush administration's doghouse.
«In effect we are being forced to retaliate,» he said in a speech to Russia's influential State Council, a gathering of political and business leaders. «Russia has, and always will have, responses to these new challenges,» he said to applause.
(…)
«Nato itself is expanding. It's approaching our borders. We drew down our bases in Cuba and in Vietnam. What did we get? New American bases in Romania, Bulgaria. A new third missile defence region in Poland.
«We are categorically being told these actions aren't directed at Russia, and therefore our concerns are completely unfounded. That's not a constructive response.
«It's already clear that a new arms race is being unleashed across the world ... It's not our fault, we didn't start it,» he said.
He claimed growing foreign interest in Russia was being fuelled by a «mounting struggle for resources», while attempts by foreign governments to interfere in Russian politics were «immoral and illegal».
«We see how under the guise of declarations for freedom and open society the sovereignty of countries and entire regions is being destroyed,» he said in a clear nod to the US campaign in Iraq. «Many conflicts, foreign policy acts and diplomatic démarches smell of oil and gas.»
There's some choice material here, but I still prefer Tusk's grasp on reality.
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