#6 - RW 269
Pravda KPRF
August 14, 2003
[translation from RIA Novosti for personal use only]
WHAT SHALL MR. PUTIN SAY IN AMERICA?
By Alexander DRABKIN

According to competent sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak at the UN General Assembly September meeting in New York. His speech will be part of the official working visit to the United States, which also includes talks in Camp David - the official out-of-town residence of the US President. The peers paid attention to the fact that the talks would be conducted in Mr. Bush's official residence rather than at his ranch where the current president usually invites the most respected guests.

In fact, the same situation was during Mr. Bush's recent visit to Russia to attend the celebration of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. He visited shortly Peterhof, where he had a personal conversation with Mr. Putin without inviting any other heads of state and government, who attended the festivities at the same time. Only British Premier Tony Blair (whom journalists insultingly called "the poodle of the White House") was allowed to participate in the conversation.

However, many things changed during three months. George Bush arrived in Peterhof as "the victor over Hussein, the conqueror of Iraq." At that time, the American leader, who generally doesn't give the impression of a humble person, was showing off his arrogance and superiority even more. Now, everything has changed. It has become clear that the United States launched the third Iraqi war without any sound plan not only for victory, but even for a simple and dignified exit from the catastrophic situation without "losing face". The present war is waged against guerilla fighters on the entire territory of the occupied country. Fierce fighting is normally accompanied by scorching heat (temperatures around 35-40 degrees Centigrade), high humidity and total unpredictability of actions of an invisible enemy. Sixteen words that President Bush used to describe the necessity of immediate US invasion of Iraq to American people turned into 20 combat encounters every day, accompanied by losses of military personnel and equipment.

In addition, there are instances of insubordination among American soldiers - they demand to be sent home. Nothing like that has happened ever since the War for Independence. Mr. Bush alienated almost all Europe. Muslim world boils with hatred toward anything American. The humiliation suffered by the UN made this otherwise respectful organization virtually powerless.

What about Russia? It strengthened its positions in Europe and Asia. Its prestige in the UN is constantly growing. It's quite possible that during his speech at the UN General Assembly meeting, Mr. Putin will stress the importance of strengthening the authority of this organization. There is no doubt that this idea will meet strong support on the part of the majority of the UN members. So, the perplexed America awaits the Russian President. Maybe we are at the turning point of history?

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