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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
US wants to ‘strengthen democracy’ in Russia
2012-04-04
WASHINGTON - The United States said Tuesday that it sought to strengthen democracy and civil society in Russia after Moscow charged that US funding to groups in the country was posing a problem in relations.
So now we have quangos in Russia, and Vlad, always a sharp operator, sees a way to discredit them, keep us off balance, and tar his domestic opponents. Brilliant.
The State Department has proposed to set up a $50 million fund that would support non-governmental groups which promote human rights and accountability in Russia, where Vladimir Putin is preparing for a third term as president.
No doubt it'll be the outreach program of the Democratic party. They can go to Russia and see how socialism really worked, right?
“This is designed to support a vibrant civil society in Russia and to allow us to work with those Russian NGOs who want to work with us,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters.

The fund would allow the groups “to develop their skills and their voice and their ability to represent the aspirations of Russians to increasingly deepen and strengthen their democracy,” Nuland said.

Putin has repeatedly accused Washington of bankrolling the mass street protests that first rose against his 12-year domination of Russia three months ago — a charge that US officials firmly deny.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday that Moscow has raised the issue “repeatedly” with US officials and had still not received a clear assurance about the funding’s ultimate aims.

“This activity is reaching a scale that is turning into a problem in our relations,” Ryabkov said in an interview with the Interfax news agency.

The democracy fund needs approval from the US Congress. The money would come from the liquidated US-Russia Investment Fund, which was set up in 1995 to promote a free market economy in the former communist nation.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in an interview Sunday with CNN, said that the Russian people were “incredibly talented” and that the United States wanted to give them “a real stake in the future there.”

“That has nothing to do with us. It has to do everything with the Russian people themselves,” she said of the proposed $50 million fund. “We in the United States believe that every country would be better off if there were greater freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly."
So we'll export of bunch of nosy-parker apparatchiks on expense accounts to tell the Russians how to do it. That'll turn out well.
Posted by:Steve White

#8   United States wanted to give them “a real stake in the future there

The unmitigated arrogance of these people is breathtaking. I really cannot imagine a more insulting / patronising statement.

She's not talking to some 4th world tribe that just mastered fire and is starting on the wheel.

Disgusting.
Posted by: AlanC   2012-04-04 15:08  

#7  I think Russia is having more success at strengthening communism in the US.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305   2012-04-04 11:50  

#6  I they should send Hans Blix as he can not find anything and drag a search out a decade if necessary.

"Nope, no anti-democracy forces here. Couldn't find one."
Posted by: Rjschwarz   2012-04-04 09:59  

#5  When Vlad was on the side - to some extent - there were advances towards a free press. Numerous versions of US magazines - including Playboy, Cosmopolitan, etc - are sold openly in Russia. Their internet is largely free. Vlad no longer has the public support to drop the heavy hand. He doesn't appear much in public since he was jeered at an MMA event. As for Syria, I don't give a damn about dead islamists. I don't want them to vote: I want them to die.
Posted by: Black Charlie Mussolini6055   2012-04-04 03:40  

#4  Ehh? Russians know more about American civics than even the "constitution in chief".
Never joke about Vladimir, democrat "smart diplomacy" usually means fertile ground where there are no balls.

Moscow laughed at you years ago. Old Al in Deadwood scoffing at US? Really?

Expect no less.
Posted by: newc   2012-04-04 02:19  

#3  They have the University of Wisconsin. We have our non-governmental groups.
Posted by: Besoeker   2012-04-04 00:46  

#2  Hey State, how about starting at home? You know like prompting free and fair elections without corrupting the voting system.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2012-04-04 00:41  

#1  Lotsa Luck.
Long and winding road there.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2012-04-04 00:29  

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