Bush: Putin Has "Derailed" Democracy

Criticism Likely To Fuel Animosity Over Missile Defense Plan Ahead Of Bush-Putin Meeting

(CBS/AP)  President Bush risked further fueling a testy dispute with Russia over a new U.S. missile defense system on Tuesday, saying that Moscow has "derailed" once-promising democratic reforms.

In a speech celebrating democracy's progress around the globe — and calling out places where its reach is either incomplete or lacking — Mr. Bush said that free societies emerge "at different speeds in different places" and have to reflect local customs. But he said certain values are universal to all democracies, and rapped several countries for not embracing them.

"In Russia, reforms that once promised to empower citizens have been derailed, with troubling implications for democratic development," Mr. Bush said, speaking at a democracy conference in Prague organized by former dissidents.

The president asserted that this discussion of democratic backsliding in Russia under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin was just one part of a strong relationship. "America can maintain a friendship and push a nation toward democracy at the same time," he said.

Speaking only hours earlier at a joint news conference with his Czech counterpart, Mr. Bush took a more conciliatory tone on the contentious relationship with Moscow, saying Russia is not an enemy of the United States, and has nothing to fear from the proposed missile defense system.

"Russia is not the enemy," Mr. Bush said after meeting with top Czech leaders in a visit en route to the G-8 summit in Germany. He said he would take a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "we can work together on common threats." The Kremlin is bitterly opposed to the missile shield, and Putin warned on Monday that Russia could take "retaliatory steps" if Washington insists on building it.

Mr. Bush's speech on democracy was part of his "freedom agenda".

But the far more important theme was his appeal to Putin to tone down his fierce rhetorical opposition to the defense plan. Mr. Bush beseeched Putin in his earlier remarks to join in the plan, suggesting he send Russian generals to inspect the proposed sites.

The president said, off-handedly addressing his Russian counterpart via the television waves; "As a matter of fact, why don't you cooperate with us on a missile defense system?"

The president arrived Monday evening in Prague for a day of meetings with Czech leaders.

CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante reports the missile defense standoff has set back American relations with Moscow like nothing else in years.

But Russia is not alone in disliking the idea of constructing missile and radar installations in the Czech Republic and other countries on its doorstep. Most Czechs aren't happy about the proposal, either.

Recent polls in the former Soviet satellite, now a democratic NATO ally, show more than 60 percent of the public in opposition.

The international debate over the missile defense system likely will drown out everything else during Mr. Bush's stay in Prague. The U.S. plan calls for an anti-missile radar base to be built at the Brdy military zone southwest of the capital.

For their part, Czech leaders have brushed off Russia's objections, remaining receptive to the project. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek called it "a necessary step which will significantly increase our security and also the security of our European allies and neighbors."

Most Czech citizens, though, worry about Russian threats to take military steps in response, and they fear that the installation could make the tiny country a terrorist target.

In Prague last weekend, more than 1,000 people protested the plan. Demonstrators planned to show their displeasure again Tuesday outside medieval Prague Castle, where Bush was to meet with Topolanek and President Vaclav Klaus.

Over the weekend, Russian President Vladimir Putin stepped up already incendiary remarks about the U.S. and its intentions with the shield, warning that Moscow could take "retaliatory steps" including aiming nuclear weapons at U.S. military bases in Europe. Russia believes the shield in Eastern Europe is meant for it, and says it has no choice but to boost its own military potential in response.

[michellem99-2009]

toyouso21 dear not Maine...NO..He is not liked there..His daddy has a home there and I know Mainers as I am one..if his daddy did not have a home there...He is an outsider..well..my family is there and outsiders are not really liked....if they don't mind their business...you are a leant lady so yes you be welcomed there. GW Bush got a dui in76 in Maine. I lived in Portland Maine at the time.. He is at the time a drunk..yet LOOK where he is, toldyouso21 you would be a very good teacher is you wished to do so..I may be poorly school but I know a wolf in sheeps skin..

[sjc_1]

Let me get this straight, the missile defense system is suppose to be for Iran and North Korea, but the missiles are in Poland...right...how does that work?

[agnim]

"Bush: Putin Has "Derailed" Democracy"

GOOD FOR THE RUSSIANS!

Who has the right to impose their system of governance on others?
This aim of world domination by way of the devilish 'divide and rule' democracy should be defeated everywhere.

If a nature wants to VOLUNTARILY adopt a system of governance, that's fine. But outsiders should not be imposing their stuff on others and disrupting people's lives.

[cozzicon]

"What if they threw an Arms Race and nobody came?"-- Posted by cneron

Now that is a party I'd love to see!

American President: "Ya know Mr. Russian Premier, we're just too busy to attend. Gotta work on the space program, socio-economics, and international relations. Here's a gift certificate for a free steak dinner and a box of assorted lotions".

Russian Premier: "Assorted lotions? Da! Alright. Here, have some Kiesh. The scheduled arms race conflicted with my appointment for a colonic anyhow. Wanna sell us some corn?

[muzzlebush]

I don't think the aristocratic, dictatorial Bush administration which has trampled repeatedly on the Constitution should scold anyone on the derailment of democratic reforms.

[drummer94]

I wonder what Bush's REAL agenda is. He reminds me of the guy who starts too many projects at once,and never finishes any of them. Just likes to start 'em. If he starts this latest one, I think the world is gonna be in even deeper doo-doo.

[realpatriot1]

Putin derailed democracy by beating out Americans for Central Asian pipeline contracts. That's what this is about.

[toldyouso21]

"Putin's latest comments come on the heals of an invite from Mr. Bush to meet in Washington in July, to discuss the missile defense plans and other issues of contention, reports CBS News White House correspondent Jim Axelrod"

The word is HEELS not heals ---somebody tell all of these news sites to get human proof readers instead of depending on spellcheck. We bloggers are prone to mistakes due to the fast typing and need to convey a point in virtual shorthand--but if this is a news article, then it illustrates the dumbing down of America principle.

CBS quotes their poll stats incorrectly, often mispells words or uses grammatically incorrect sentences--which is why to paraphrase our dear leader:

"some of you are A and B students and will no doubt do well, but I say to the C student--One day you, too can be President of the United States" Yep the ascendancy and celebration of mediocrity and ignorance. Goes well with our global policies.

[toldyouso21]

As for the rest of Bush's ideas, I can't support him at all, but this one is good. North Korea sells missiles to anyone with the cash. Syria, Iran, Libya and Pakistan have regular accounts with North Korea's missile store.
Posted by downtowner97 at 10:41 AM : Jun 05, 2007

Then you kill your own premise. If they sell to anyone with cash, then they also can sell to a ...European who wants to settle a score. Crazy killers are not all Arab, you know.
What exactly makes sense about having a deterrent system in Europe for missles from NK or Iran and Syria? They are too far away and they do not have the delivery systems. they might someday--but even so, why build in Europe? If a missle aimed at Europe is knocked down by us over Europe, the payload and fallout would be...all over Europe.Why not build the same system to do the same thing in Turkey or Saudi Arabia or Israel. IN the case of Israel, at least they could see the need (because it could be used for them too) and the payloads could still be knocked out in time over the countries sending them.

Funny, how the people don't want it--but that never has stopped Bush.

Most can see this is a power move by the US--but the timing --we are in a protracted and bumbling war we are having a hard time winning or even handling, and our answer is--to go after Iran and alienate Russia AND China. (you better believe it) Maybe it's time to shave Bush's head and look for those 3 sixes.

[toldyouso21]

Those who elected Bush did not do it because he was smooth or smart. (SS) They did it because he could cariacature being the western hero better than anyone else in the field. Not that he really is good or decent or honest or even right--that does not matter to a generation short on substance--long on illusion.

We are the TV generation and nothing is real. We keep thinking we can change the channel or rewind the tape and have a do over if things get really bad. Bush: he is a sound bite, walking around like a human--bumping into every wall and tripping over every nuance.

soundbites don't have eyes or common sense. They just have effect.

[toldyouso21]

What if they threw an Arms Race and nobody came? Sorry, I've yet to figure out the point of keeping up with the Joneses in something like this. Posted by cneron at 09:06 AM : Jun 05, 2007

Then you have NOT learned the primary lessons of Iraq and North Korea and Iran: "HE WHO HAS NUCLEAR WEAPONS DOES NOT GET PICKED ON"

And he who has the most, carries the biggest stick and the others try not to **** them off or stand in their way. It is why no one really opposed the Iraq war--and why, despite obviously committing war crimes (violation of Geneva and Human rights conventions with rendition and torture illegal pre emptive aggression against a sovereign country) no one dares to really call out or arrest the bad guys.

The one with the most, calls the shots--and the others--at least pretend to respect and listen.

It really is elementary.

[toldyouso21]

If Putin really was serious and wanted to make sure we got his point, he would:

1. Snub Bush and refuse the vacation/meeting in Maine.

2. Instead of pointing missles at Europe (which most think is just his loud mouthed bluff) He should accidently on purpose drop a small nuclear weapon over the intended area. The resultant levels of radiation would keep Americans off that particular site. (He could think of it as a small Chernobyl)

When confronted, he could lament at the "accident" of one of his planes "accidently letting his payload slip"

It could go down in history as his 'oops moment' and then--he could do it to the Polish site also.

He'd leave office as 'butterfingers Putin' but we would not be on his borders anytime soon. LOL

[rashid821]

It seems Russia has become the US of yesteryears and vice versa! Who could ever believe warmonger Bush with all the lies he's made. Democracy? what is he talking about? Is this another plot for a greater evil Bush has in his mind?
Obviously, the world can read his "demonic" lips!

[drdix]

Bush has declared numerous times that he is a religious man, who prays for guidance making while making decisions. He evidently has forgotten the passage where a woman was about to be stoned to death. Jesus told the crowds "he who is without sin should cast the first stone."
Or, he might believe that he himself is without sin. I think a man who has sent over 3000 people to their death, probably has a few sins in there. Just another example of the hypocrit he is.

[firststate]

Bush is should show more appreciation to the Russians, the former USSR and even the National Socialist German Workers Party for the intellectual basis for many of his policies. The nearly indistinguishable nature of the "party" and the "state" found in the old USSR seems to be a central goal for the US and the Republican party under his leadership. The caging used by the Republican party to suppress voting by non-party members was an early effort toward the system refined in the Moscow and Berlin. They may well have been the source for his administration's activities in removing US Attorneys who were either unwilling to file unwarranted charges against the opposition or ignore crimes by party loyalists. His warrantless wiretapping and other invasions of citizens' privacy could be the first steps based upon the activities of the USSR's NKVD. The Enabling Act in Germany could have been the basis for much of the Patriot Act, giving some nearly dictatorial powers under a cloak of legality. He has moved America much closer to the totalitarian days of the USSR and Germany. Even if he deigns to leave office in 2009, he's laid the groundwork upon which a future administration, so inclined may complete the coup started by his administration.

The Chutzpah of Bushshit!

[nearl4511]

The problem is not that Bush's comments on Putin are not accurate.

They are correct. I certainly am no fan of Putin or his meddling in neighboring countries.

The problem is that GW is not the appropriate person to make the accusations without a great deal of hypocrisy. Bush claims to be for Democracy, but is involved in hardlining any democratically elected leader who disagrees with his neocon foreign policy.

[walt1944-2009]

I think Putin is taking lessons on Dictatorship 101 from George W, and THE BUSH likes it because it brings us closer to realizing George Orwell's "1984" of the world carved into 3 "super powers" which are continually at war with each other. We already have "Big Brother" watching us, everything we do, say, write, read. We already have attempts by the neo-cons to re-write history and the news (Fox News, network news) and there are supposed to be secret "gulags".

We're close boys and girls, REAL CLOSE!

SIG HEIL,BUSH!

[nyckate]

Dear Lord - Is bush so self-delusional that he doesnt know that there isn't a sinner listening to his nonesense anymore?? he who has made a mockery of democracy and the US Constitution dares to criticize anyone??

[kansas1946]

If it wasn't so tragic, it would be laughable to hear Bush talk about Putin "derailing democracy." What a hypocrite. He has attacked democracy in our country to the point that I consider him a traitor to our constitution. He needs to stay home and shut up and quit embarrasing us. God, will his term EVER be over.

[harp1963]

Our President has become completely delusional. What would America do if Russia was installing missle defense systems in Canada, Mexico, and Cuba? Why can't we impeech this guy?

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/01/09/60minutes/main592330.shtml