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The Putin [Russian] side of things...

Sabre-rattling of sorts is on again between the US and Russia - not helped by the intemperate and stupid statements of George Bush before he attended the G8 Summit the other day. The Americans claim the placement of missile launchers in countries bordering Russia is all quite innocent - it's protection from rogue States, etc.

Needless to say the Russians aren't so sure about of all that. With good cause. So, what does Vladimir Putin have to say about of all this? It seems we haven't heard or seen his complete responses as Information Clearing House here reports:

"On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an hour and a half-long press conference which was attended by many members of the world media. The contents of that meeting---in which Putin answered all questions concerning nuclear proliferation, human rights, Kosovo, democracy and the present confrontation with the United States over missile defense in Europe---have been completely censored by the press. Apart from one brief excerpt which appeared in a Washington Post editorial, (and which was used to criticize Putin) the press conference has been scrubbed from the public record. It never happened. (Read the entire press conference archived here )

Putin’s performance was a tour de force. He fielded all of the questions however misleading or insulting. He was candid and statesmanlike and demonstrated a good understanding of all the main issues.

The meeting gave Putin a chance to give his side of the story in the growing debate over missile defense in Eastern Europe. He offered a brief account of the deteriorating state of US-Russian relations since the end of the Cold War, and particularly from 9-11 to present. Since September 11, the Bush administration has carried out an aggressive strategy to surround Russia with military bases, install missiles on its borders, topple allied regimes in Central Asia, and incite political upheaval in Moscow through US-backed “pro-democracy” groups. These openly hostile actions have convinced many Russian hard-liners that the administration is going forward with the neocon plan for “regime change” in Moscow and fragmentation of the Russian Federation. Putin’s testimony suggests that the hardliners are probably right."

Assuming this piece is even half-right, it provides an insight into why the West is confronted with heightened tensions with Russia.

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