Bush advises successor to make friends with Russia's next leader

[Afro-European]

WASHINGTON, February 28 (RIA Novosti) - U.S. President George W. Bush advised his successor to develop a friendly relationship with the next Russian president, who will be elected in the March 2 presidential elections. "U.S.-Russian relations are important. It's important for stability, it's important for our relations in Europe," Bush said at a news conference.
"Therefore, my advice is to establish a personal relationship with whoever is in charge of foreign policy in Russia," the U.S. president said.
Presidential polls are due in Russia on March 2. First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who was publicly backed by President Vladimir Putin as his successor in mid-December, is a clear front-runner.
Putin, who is unable to stand for a third term under the Constitution, is expected to become premier if Medvedev wins the polls, which is almost certain to happen.
Earlier media reports said both Democrat hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama failed to ****ounce the Kremlin hopeful's name correctly.
"I want to try to leave it so whoever my successor is will be able to have a relationship with whoever is running foreign policy in Russia. It's in the country's interest," Bush said.
"There's areas where we need to cooperate."
Bush who is nearing the end of his presidential term with elections due in November admitted that he had disagreed with Putin in the past.
"As you know, Putin's a straightforward, pretty tough character when it comes to his interests, well so am I," Bush said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. leader added that the countries' bilateral relations remained "cordial" enabling them to "deal with common threats and opportunities, and that's going to be important for the next president to maintain."
Speaking on the U.S. missile shield plans in the Czech Republic and Poland, which has become another irritant in Russia-U.S. relations, Bush said: "I believe it's in our interests to try to figure out a way for the Russians to understand the system is not aimed at them, but aimed at the real threats of the 21st century."

http://en.rian.ru/world/20080228/100281645.html

[Brute]

Wise words, Mr. Bush! :hug:


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Bush Says New Russian Leader a Mystery

By TERENCE HUNT – 11 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Like the rest of an anxious world, President Bush said Thursday he's waiting to see who will wield the real power in Russia after next month's elections — departing President Vladimir Putin or his hand-picked successor Dmitry Medvedev.
It will be interesting, the president mused, to see who shows up for Russia at the next summit of world leaders.
Bush was asked at a news conference about the future of one of the nation's most important foreign relationships, one that has been increasingly troubled. He said he, too, was eager for insights into "how Russia intends to conduct foreign policy after Vladimir Putin's presidency. And I can't answer the question yet."
Bush is not the only one puzzled by the 42-year-old Medvedev (****ounced MED'-veh-dev), who was plucked from obscurity by Putin to follow him as president after the March 2 elections. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton stumbled for his name in Tuesday's presidential debate before coming up with, "Medvedev — whatever." Nevertheless, she said Medvedev was someone "who Putin can control, who has very little independence, the best we know." Clinton's rival, Sen. Barack Obama, agreed that Putin would "continue to have the strongest hand in Russia."
When Medvedev takes office, Putin will become prime minister. The suspicion is he will be the power behind the president.
When a questioner asked Bush if Medvedev would be Putin's puppet, Bush replied, "No, I wouldn't say that. That's your conclusion, not mine."
The uncertainty about the Kremlin's new leadership comes at a time of difficult relations between Moscow and Washington in disputes ranging from Kosovo's independence and Bush's proposal for new missile defenses in central Europe to the Kremlin's increasingly authoritarian stand on political, religious and press freedoms and the emergence of democracies on Russia's borders. Business between the U.S. and Russia has taken on an edgy tone, compared with the warmth in 2001 when Bush said he looked into Putin's soul and liked what he saw.
"Putin is a straightforward, pretty tough character when it comes to his interests," Bush said Thursday. "Well, so am I. And we've had some head-butts, diplomatic head-butts."
"And yet, in spite of that, our differences of opinions, we still have got a cordial enough relationship to be able to deal with common threats and opportunities," Bush said. "And that's going to be important for the next president to maintain."
Medvedev has served in the Kremlin in a series of subordinate roles and has said little about his foreign policy views. He has not criticized any of Putin's policies and has seemed intent on copying Putin even in small things, even taking up swimming and skiing. He has worked for Putin for eight years as the Russian president has clamped down on democracy, expanded the government's control and used the power of the state to crush political foes.
On Tuesday, Medvedev said he was willing to work with any future American president who isn't stuck in the past and doesn't have "semi-senile views."
The White House said Bush met Medvedev four years ago when he was a government minister. "I don't know much about Medvedev either," Bush said when asked Thursday about the limited assessments offered by Clinton and Obama. "And what'll be interesting to see is who comes to the — who represents Russia at the G8 for example."
The next meeting of the Group of Eight world powers is in Japan, July 7-9. Russia has always been represented at the presidential level.
Bush said it was important to continue work with Russia on matters such as controlling the spread of nuclear weapons and dealing with Iran and its suspected nuclear program. He credited Putin with coming up the idea to supply enriched uranium for Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant. The United States and Russia say the supply of nuclear fuel means Iran has no need to continue its own uranium enrichment program — a process that could provide fuel for a reactor or fissile material for a bomb.
Bush said he was still trying to convince Putin that Russia would not be threatened by the U.S. missile defense program that is to be based in Poland and the Czech Republic, two former Soviet satellites.
"I'm going to try to leave it so whoever my successor is will be able to have a relationship with whoever is running foreign policy in Russia. It's in the country's interest," Bush said. "That doesn't mean we have to agree all the time. I mean, obviously we didn't agree on Kosovo. There will be other areas where we don't agree."
With less than a year left in his own presidency, Bush tried to sum up his approach to foreign policy but caught himself when he went too far.
"Here's what I learned: I learned that it's important to establish personal relations with leaders even though you may not agree with them." He hastened to qualify that he was talking only about "certain leaders. I'm not going to have a personal relationship with (North Korea's leader) Kim Jong Il, and our relationships are such that that's impossible.
"But U.S.-Russian relations are important," Bush said. "It's important for stability."


On Tuesday, Medvedev said he was willing to work with any future American president who isn't stuck in the past and doesn't have "semi-senile views."http://www.exile.ru/transient/275/tshirt_coldwar2.jpg

[Flamming_Python]

Wow....

Bush + Wisdom = ?

[slug]

Can anyone confirm/deny whether Pres. Bush really called Putin by the nickname "Pooty-Poot"? I find it hard to believe that rumor, but it is sad if it is true.

On the John McCain T-shirt, I don't understand your point. Yes he was in the military, yes he supports a strong military and continuing OIF and the GWOT--why does that make him miss the cold war. I'm sure he really liked the cold war when he was being tortured by communist North Vietnamese interrogators. BTW, not sure if I will vote for him yet.

Please explain, if you can, what point you wanted to make with that T-shirt.

[Bongopete]

Good thing Medvedev isnt really going to be the man in charge and that he will have Putin behind him.

[Sergei]

You say behind him, I say bent over him.....

They said the same thing about Putin in 1999, as succesor of Yeltsin. :)But Putin became a whole different ball game. I am sure so will Medvedev.

[GodlessAmerica!]

So speaks Medvedev, the man who on March the 3rd will have Putins hand so far up his a** that Putin will be able to pick Medvedev nose from the inside.....rofl

Does the Russian Federation have absentee ballots? or are only voters inside of Russia vote?



Only time and actions will tell.

I mean imaging how it would feel to step into a room of world leaders (your supposed peers) knowing your just a piece of meat acting as window dressing for some one who couldn't or wouldn't give up power.


For your knowledge Putin take power not alone. It was a group of people. So-called siloviki. Putin is just one of them. So is Medvedev. Thats why there is a reason to believe Kremlin will continue to follow its independent political course .

[TopolA]

Shouldn't Bush be worried about other nations backsliding on Democracy??!!??rofl

[boy1000]

This is very important, but......

Russia did an EMENCE try to make strategic partnership with US in AUG 99, in MAR 00, and again OCT 01. It was mainly Bush administration that decline serius attempts ALSO by Putin to invest into strategic partnership.

Those who keep saying Russia have no real democracy I have to say Russia as democracy was born in -92. In the nineties Russia really cribled by corruptions, and mismanaged administration. Just look at the decentralisation of Russia in 97 into 89 regions, and the ministrial self financing in 98.

It took more than 200 years for USA to be where they are today. I am certain Russia will not take this long, but again who says we in the west have the patent for what is right or what is wrong????

[TopolA]

I'm sure he is, so whats your point? :roll:

Hahahha, another sucker buying into the BS...roflroflrofl

[DRA]

I have no doubt that the Kremlin will follow Putin and his silovik cronies, in fact thats what I've been saying in all of these posts, Medvedev will NEVER have a chance to do anything on his own....and the sad part for Medvedev is the whole freaken world knows it and knows who's words are coming out of his (Medvedev's) mouth. Sad day that the next Russian preident will only be a puppet with so many silovik hands up his a** pulling the strings.

Do you know if Russia has a absentee ballot?

Yes, Russia does have absentee ballot but it wouldn't do you any good.

Whether you like it or not - Putin enjoys support of 80% of Russians.
I, myself, admire the man for his crysis management skills. Provided the circumstances he done an excellent job during his two terms.
A lot of people would love for him to stay around for the third term but by his own admitance - he is tired from "8 years of slavery".
8 years of managing the most divesrse population over 11 time zones, can you think of anybody with the harder job?

[DRA]

It took more than 200 years for USA to be where they are today.

Where US is today financialy, politicaly and freedom/democracy wise is hardly a benchmark for Russia or anybody with any common sense.

Russia has its own way, let it be.

[boy1000]

And this has to do what with what President Bush said to those running for the White House in 2008?

Ehhhhh, dont you think?????

Please everybody with some commons sense can see where Russia is going financially and strategicly, so yes absolutely....

[DRA]

They have absentee ballots, thats interesting. The rest of your post wasnt.

That is because you are a closeminded bigot, carry on.

[boy1000]

Where US is today financialy, politicaly and freedom/democracy wise is hardly a benchmark for Russia or anybody with any common sense.

Russia has its own way, let it be.

I was NOT quoting the American way to be the only way, on the contrary. People unfortunately from time till time thinks the only parameter in th world for a country is the American way, which do not think is the only way. We have to look at EACH NATION and let them, them self determine which way to go...

Russia are showing improvements, and again where will Russia be 20 years from now, I truley belive will be a modern democracy in its own right

[DRA]

I was NOT quoting the American way to be the only way, on the contrary. People unfortunately from time till time thinks the only parameter in th world for a country is the American way, which do not think is the only way. We have to look at EACH NATION and let them, them self determine which way to go...

Russia are showing improvements, and again where will Russia be 20 years from now, I truley belive will be a modern democracy in its own right

Wholeheartedly agree with you

[boy1000]

What? Where?

Trace are you going to be the Lighbulp for this thread???

Russia at the moment are financially and militarily growing VERY fast, it would be unwise not to make friendship with Russia....

[GodlessAmerica!]

Russia are showing improvements, and again where will Russia be 20 years from now, I truley belive will be a modern democracy in its own right

:roll:Well if Americans or Chinese dont take away Siberia, Russia will be fine.

[GodlessAmerica!]

Russia at the moment are financially and militarily growing VERY fast, it would be unwise not to make friendship with Russia....

Really? :roll:

[GodlessAmerica!]

Not fast at all, and financilly not wisely, but what has all this to do with what Ive posted? that Medvedev is nothing but a puppet for Putin and friends, as Godless America pointed out in his post?

:)What? When did I say that? I said quite the opposite!:)

[boy1000]

Not fast at all, and financilly not wisely, but what has all this to do with what Ive posted? that Medvedev is nothing but a puppet for Putin and friends, as Godless America pointed out in his post?

I feel sorry for Medvedev and the next thing I know you and the rest are raging on and on like a bunch of old ladies about things that werent even touched on.

I am not agreeing with you, Trace. Putin is natuarally going to be a power factor for many years to come, but Medvedev are not going to be dismissed for that reason. I am very certain if he is going to be elected we will very certain not hear so much of him for some months, but he will change some things absolutely. He will be more interested in Europe, EU, and to some extent NATO. He will VERY certain visit Germany within 1 month ater his nomination.

There will be change but not like Yeltsin, where everyday was a challenge for Western Analyst...

[GodlessAmerica!]

Truer words were never spoken.

I think this is more precise:

"Well if Americans or Chinese dont take away Siberia, Russia will be fine."

[boy1000]

Really? :roll:

Thank you for highligting the txt...

yes, Ask OPEC how they look at Russia's LNG, D2....

Yes Ask Norway how much Russian Navy and Airforce have been more active the past 2 years....

Oh yes Really..

[GodlessAmerica!]

yes, Ask OPEC how they look at Russia's LNG, D2....

Well enlighten me.



Yes Ask Norway how much Russian Navy and Airforce have been more active the past 2 years....


You said something about military growth. According to information I have the Russian Armed Forces are in very sad state, much worse than 8 years ago. And continue to degrade.
Thats why I really worry about Siberia.

[GodlessAmerica!]

Oh come on GA don't be shy, you said that Putin and friends with Medvedev are all the same and that they would continue Putins (Kremlin's) policies, which would make Medvedev Putins little boy toy and a** puppet.

I just dont understand why do you call Medvedev "Putins puppet"? Both of them(among many others) are members of rulling elite. They are one team. Colleagues. They are thinking one way. They have coomon views and common goals. Yes Medvedev is younger and less experienced than Putin, but he is well-educated and certainly not an idiot. He is quite independent politician.

[GodlessAmerica!]

I think Russia should be more worried about China than the US as far as land grabs go.

On the contrary. I think Russians can deal with Army of PRC. But Im not sure about US military.
Also American and Chinese oil and gas consumption rates are hardly comparable. Taking into account that USA will completely run out of its oil and gas reserves in next 10 years, Russians have things to think about. If they immediately dont take measures to restore their military, the world political map will be redrawn very soon.

[Bongopete]

[quote=Trace;3080308]I think Russia should be more worried about China than the US as far as land grabs go.[/quot

I second THAT!

[Bongopete]

Well enlighten me.



You said something about military growth. According to information I have the Russian Armed Forces are in very sad state, much worse than 8 years ago. And continue to degrade.
Thats why I really worry about Siberia.

We cant even quieten Iraq, I think Siberia can sleep easily.

[Bongopete]

On the contrary. I think Russians can deal with Army of PRC. But Im not sure about US military.



You simply have GOT to be kidding!

[Bongopete]

[quote=GodlessAmerica!;3080467]On the contrary. I think Russians can deal with Army of PRC. But Im not sure about US military.

I think if we (the US AND Russia) arent careful, the Chinese are going to have BOTH our lunches!

[Hilbert]

[quote=GodlessAmerica!;3080467]On the contrary. I think Russians can deal with Army of PRC. But Im not sure about US military.

I think if we (the US AND Russia) arent careful, the Chinese are going to have BOTH our lunches!

How do you figure?

[Bongopete]

Right now Russia is booming but it's mainly based on oil, however its population base is either just maintaining or actually shrinking. China on the other hand is booming AND it needs that oil as well (look at its 'good works' in Africa for example) AND its population is growing as well. The Chinese share a border with Russia and wouldnt have too much difficulty in massing forces along the border for a push.
The Chinese would probably figure that the US and the west would not come to aid Russia, thinking that they would probably feel relieved that Russia would need to pull away from Europe to fight them in Siberia.
If China could seize any oilfields they could threaten to torch them causing huge environmental damage to also keep the west from aiding Russia.
They might also figure that Russia would not resort to using nukes as China could then destroy/contaminate the source of the Russian economic engine.
After neutralizing Russia, China then turns toward the US, isolating Europe with promises of oil and the removal of the fear of Russia resurgent and for them to remain neutral in regards to actions between China and the US.

At least this is the first part of a scenario I sort of see. China is getting hold of resources, has the manpower and technical knowledge and is willing to take some deep hits in exchange for the idea of Chinese expansion.

[Hilbert]

Right now Russia is booming but it's mainly based on oil, however its population base is either just maintaining or actually shrinking. China on the other hand is booming AND it needs that oil as well (look at its 'good works' in Africa for example) AND its population is growing as well. The Chinese share a border with Russia and wouldnt have too much difficulty in massing forces along the border for a push.
The Chinese would probably figure that the US and the west would not come to aid Russia, thinking that they would probably feel relieved that Russia would need to pull away from Europe to fight them in Siberia.
If China could seize any oilfields they could threaten to torch them causing huge environmental damage to also keep the west from aiding Russia.
They might also figure that Russia would not resort to using nukes as China could then destroy/contaminate the source of the Russian economic engine.
After neutralizing Russia, China then turns toward the US, isolating Europe with promises of oil and the removal of the fear of Russia resurgent and for them to remain neutral in regards to actions between China and the US.

At least this is the first part of a scenario I sort of see. China is getting hold of resources, has the manpower and technical knowledge and is willing to take some deep hits in exchange for the idea of Chinese expansion.

Your story sounds like one hell of an opportunity for the United States and Russia to get together in a little military cooperation outside of exercises if you ask me, but hey I'm no politician.

[GodlessAmerica!]

You simply have GOT to be kidding!

Dont you believe that US military is stronger than Chinese one?

[dimasorokine]

How is Medvedev being a puppet of the siloviki, or Russia's political elite any different than Bush or the next US president being a puppet of the US political elite? Every country has its power clans who one way or another choose who represents their interests in office...

Oh wait, I know the difference: Putin and his crew have an 80% approval rating!

-Dima

[LaoSexMachine]

How is Medvedev being a puppet of the siloviki, or Russia's political elite any different than Bush or the next US president being a puppet of the US political elite? Every country has its power clans who one way or another choose who represents their interests in office...

Oh wait, I know the difference: Putin and his crew have an 80% approval rating!

-Dima

x2. Some are better at hiding it and 'being for the people'.

[GodlessAmerica!]

The only way Russia can save itself from insatiable Americans and Chinese is to start overall cooperation with Europe. Even to join EU and NATO if necessary.
If Russia and Europe dont stop their idiotic confrontation, in the end both will stay without gas and oil and will "smoke bamboo".

[Bongopete]

Dont you believe that US military is stronger than Chinese one?

Strength is more than military equipment, its also in the motivation and willpower of the people and the government as well as the willingness to accept casualties in order to accomplish a goal.

[LaoSexMachine]

Blind nationalism will lead to disaster

[Bongopete]

The only way Russia can save itself from insatiable Americans and Chinese is to start overall cooperation with Europe. Even to join EU and NATO if necessary.
If Russia and Europe dont stop their idiotic confrontation, in the end both will stay without gas and oil and will "smoke bamboo".

The only way Russia can save itself is to stop demonizing the US as part of an excuse to reinstitute internal control. I for one was all for seeing a strong economic Russia and was appalled when I found out that the old cold war fear mongering was alive and well in Russia in regards to its youth. Of course the more that the US, Europe and Russia squable among ourselves the better for the Chinese.

[Bongopete]

Blind nationalism will lead to disaster

I agree and while I think there are hardcore nationalists in all countries, including mine, I would like to think that the general populace is less so. I am saddened by the fact that the Russians need to use an anti American platform to do so though.....reminding me of how Hitler and the Third Reich found a need to demonize a group of people while instilling pride in their country.