Rice Says Russia On Path To Isolation

Secretary Of State Calls On West To Stand Up To Russian Aggression

(AP)  In scathing criticism of Moscow, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Russia Thursday that its policies have put it on a path to isolation and irrelevance.

Rice called on the West to stand up to Russian aggression after its invasion of Georgia last month.

"The attack on Georgia has crystallized the course that Russia's leaders are taking and brought us to a critical moment for Russia and the world," she said in a speech at a German Marshall Fund event. "Our strategic goal now is to make it clear to Russia's leaders that their choices could put Russia on a one-way path to self-imposed isolation and international irrelevance."

The remarks reflected an escalation of rhetoric in a relationship that has deteriorated markedly since last month's war and Moscow's recognition of two breakaway regions of Georgia.

Rice, who called Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ahead of the speech Thursday, mocked Russia for its international isolation and attempt to project its influence into America's backyard by cultivating U.S. foes like Cuba and Venezuela.

Rice noted sarcastically that Nicaragua and the Palestinian terror group Hamas are the only other entities that have so far recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"A pat on the back from Daniel Ortega and Hamas is not a diplomatic triumph," Rice said, referring to the president of Nicaragua, a longtime foe of the United States.

The Russian Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment about the speech. However, speaking at diplomatic event Thursday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that relations with the U.S. remains a priority for Russia, adding that "we have every opportunity to develop a constructive long-term dialogue."

"The history of U.S.-Russian relations has seen quite a few acute situations. But common sense, pragmatism and respect for each other's interests always prevailed in the end," he said.

She also mocked Russia's recent military exercises with another U.S. foe, Venezuela, suggesting that despite its crushing victory over Georgia, Russia's armed forces have still not recovered from their decline as the Soviet Union collapsed.

"We are confident that our ties with our neighbors, who long for better education, better health care, better jobs, and better housing, will in no way be diminished by a few, aging Blackjack bombers, visiting one of Latin America's few autocracies" she said.

The speech promised support for Georgia, highlighting promises of economic aid by the United States and European countries.

"In contrast to Georgia's position, Russia's international standing is worse than at any time since 1991," she said. "And the cost of this self-inflicted isolation has been steep."

U.S. officials have pointed to Russian economic problems since the invasion as a sign of the country's isolation. Russia is struggling to stem a dizzying plummet in share prices and restore confidence in the economy, as investors have sharply pulled capital out of the country in recent weeks amid a broader international credit crisis.

Rice, an academic specialist on the Soviet Union, said that as in the Cold War, the United States would seek to maintain cultural ties with Russia regardless of tensions.

"We will continue to sponsor Russian students and teachers, judges and journalists, labor leaders and democratic reformers who want to visit America," she said. "We will continue to support all Russians who want a future of liberty for their great nation."

The speech held out hope that Russia would change its course.

"Whether Russia's leaders overcome their nostalgia for another time and reconcile themselves to the sources of power and the exercises of power in the 21st century; this remains to be seen," she said. "The decision is clearly Russia's, and Russia's alone."

[tommygun083]

Rice''s education and experience in Russian affairs is all based on the Soviet Union. The old Soviet system was run by uneducated party functionaries who achieved their positions by working up through the party hierarchy. They became top dog simply by outliving their competition. They had absolutely no vision and no leadership ability. Their failed policies reflected their incompetence. The new Russian leadership is sharp, young and University educated. They came to power in the new Russia. Rice has little knowledge of the new Russia. Bush and Rice still think they are dealing with the old Soviet functionaries, and it is small wonder they are constantly being out smarted and out manoeuvred by the new breed.

[drinuk]

Gates spoke on British TV today threatening Russia, Now Rice is having a go at them, Jeeeeeeez, the country is up the creek without a paddle, borrowing money from China, the Crooks are cleaning out the bank and these idiots want to pick a fight with Russia. The sooner Bush and ALL his cronies go the better we will be.

Of course Putin is upset, he is pi--ed off with American Corporate interference, he''s pi--ed off with America for doing a Cuba, planting missiles around his country and frankly he has every right to be annoyed. Gates is totally out of order and so is Rice but their stupid comments are only designed to deflect from the total mis-management of our financial resources here in America, it''s called the Blame Game, blame anyone for anything as long as it is not The Bush Cartel, who frankly have and are selling this country right down the drain.

[dimhumb]

They won''''t be isolated. They''''ll just have new ''''friends'''', all the total scum countries that will continue to buy their arms, such as Iran and Syria and North Korea etc. Russia will sell to the worst of the worst...
Posted by michaelt302 at 12:49 PM : Sep 18, 2008

Scum countries? Familiar talking! The US people speak after their GOP Government and are ready to bomb COUNTRIES! Iran, Iraq and Syria have ancient history and culture. I saw Iraqi girls being very cute to that (it was a report from Iraqi places where American bombs have landed and the girls were crying - very cute and unhappy ones). The US wars destroy buildings of worship, museums, kill people. The US doesn''t respect other cultures. The US is too rude now. The US made many countries unfriendly itself. It has to change. No one can earn all the money in the world, so be more friendly and then countries will be more friendly. This is simple!

[babooph]

Rice has been spending too much time near her boss-idiocy must be contagous.

[metsobitso]

How could Russia be "On Path To Isolation". They hold all the natural resources that the rest of the world needs. It is Moron in Chief Bush that is becoming more isolated. If he is not careful, it is the United States that will become more isolated and cold. He may find the himself without enough oil.

[polar_bear3]

Gentlemen, I guess Condi wants a very good shaky boompy yoompy oi la laaaa. Shes like a dog biaaaatch, waging her tale asking please %u201Cyou dumb russian dog give it toooo meeee, I am sooo *****%u201D! You Americans gotta send her over here, so our ice hockey team will fix her up%u2026.LOL hahahaha hey, is she single, or her husband probably OUT OF ORDER! hahaha

[tapsettle]

to cdfoxtrot: I assume the illegal war you speak of is Russia''s conquest of portions of Georgia.
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Posted by downsteamjim

Pretty dumb assumption that, even for a validated dumb-arse like you. So, according to you, invading Iraq and occupying it for years at the cost of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives, Iraq who never attacked anybody, and didnt even have the WMDs they were accused of, was legal. But you think Russias 5 day armed response to a merciless 9-11 style attack on its citizens in South Ossetia was illegal??? You sure are a dumb-arse.

[tapsettle]

The day Russia becomes as isolated as america is becoming will be the day they need to hang up their cossacks. The day they become as discredited as america is the day they need to hang them up whilst still wearing them.

Get a grip Rice, you''re making a fool of yourself.

[polar_bear3]

woman stop winging, nobody listen to your pathetic bluff. Your place is in the kitchen among pots, pans, plates and kids%u2026Hey you Americans, can%u2019t you find a man anymore to talk with us Russians? Or you just hiding behind your histerical bi$#tches backs?

[lewiston14]

Rice Says Russia On Path To Isolation
Russia says the eu is on a path of limited engery supplies.