Bush 'deeply concerned' at Russia arrests

[AirborneSapper7]

Bush 'deeply concerned' at Russia arrests

US President George W. Bush said Monday he was "deeply concerned" at a crackdown on opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of elections, and called for their release from detention.

"I am deeply concerned about the detention of numerous human rights activists and political leaders who participated in peaceful rallies in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Nizhniy Novgorod, and Nazran this weekend.

"I am particularly troubled by the use of force by law enforcement authorities to stop these peaceful activities and to prevent some journalists and human rights activists from covering them," Bush said in a statement.

Among those arrested in Moscow on Saturday was former chess champion Garry Kasparov, leader of a coalition of Putin opponents called The Other Russia. Kasparov was sentenced to five days in jail for public order offences.

About 200 opposition activists were detained by police at another demonstration in Saint Petersburg on Sunday, one week before Russia is to hold parliamentary elections.

"The freedoms of expression, assembly and press, as well as due process, are fundamental to any democratic society," Bush said in his statement, which followed State Department concerns expressed Sunday over the events in Russia.

"I am hopeful that the government of Russia will honor its international obligations in these areas, investigate allegations of abuses and free those who remain in detention," the president said.

At the same time, the White House refused to repudiate Bush's statement, made after their first meeting in 2001, that he had seen into Putin's soul and that the Russian leader was "very straightforward and trustworthy."

Asked whether Bush misjudged Putin, spokeswoman Dana Perino replied: "No, the president believes that what he saw in Putin is what is there" but that building a democracy "just takes time, and it's difficult."

Russia's middle class is demanding political rights and "there sometimes might be uncomfortable government officials who are dealing with that and reacting in the wrong way," she said.

Bush "has a good relationship with Putin and he treats him with respect, and that is the best in order to work with them. Remember, we are working with Russia cooperatively on many different issues, including Iran, and Russia is part of the Quartet that is working towards Middle East peace," she said.

Following the arrests, Putin Monday accused the United States of trying to "discredit" Russia's elections by pressuring the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to abandon its vote monitoring mission.

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack insisted "there was no interference" from Washington in the plans for poll monitoring, and the OSCE itself rejected Putin's claims.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id ... _article=1

Russia's middle class is demanding political rights and "there sometimes might be uncomfortable government officials who are dealing with that and reacting in the wrong way," she said.

I find it amazing that Bush is so concerned about the Russian middle class but 90% of his policys are crushing our middle class

"I am hopeful that the government of Russia will honor its international obligations in these areas, investigate allegations of abuses and free those who remain in detention," the president said.

Now this seems to mirror the Ramos and Compian deal... Americans want them released and Bush Refuses to Pardon them.. Yet Bush critisizes Russian policies... whodathunkit

[LegalUSCitizen]

He's so concerned about Democracy and the citizens of Russia, but he has never indicated the slightest concern about illegal aliens marching down the corridors of our legislative offices, or about an effort by certain organizations to allow illegal aliens to vote in our elections OR about American citizens losing their lives to people who have marched into our country illegally or over-stayed their visas.

Maybe he would prefer to be president of Russia.

[LegalUSCitizen]

Yes, and what about Agents Ramos and Compean....he's shown a lot of concerned about THAT.

[Texas2step]

Bush says he is "particularly troubled by the use of force by law enforcement aurthorities to stop these peaceful activities and to prevent some journalists and human rights activitists from covering them." Funny, isn't that exactly what happened in Canada lately when a group of peaceful Canadians and Americans attempted to protest the meetings between leaders of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico on the "Security and Prosperity Partnership"? As I recall, both the RCP and the U.S. Army were used to keep these "peaceful protestors" far from the site of these meetings, and no journalists were allowed to cover them!

[nntrixie]

Texas2step I like your name.

This President since getting in office has kept people, protestors, and anyone but favored journalists blocks away when he is appearing.

His appearances, questions, etc., have seemed the most orchestrated, shielded, protected appearances of any President.

[Reciprocity]

Bush has a full plate in the Middle East, China and domestic problems at home, now is not the time to start with Russia. The one country that could possibily be a powerful allie and he push's them further away. This man has no concept on Stratigic thinking and planning, what an idiot.

[Texas2step]

thank you, nntrixie.

[Lugundum]

"The Other Russia" and Mr. Kasparov are neocon's plants. He is funded by various US based 'think tanks' and oligarchs who gained their property by looting and leeching in post-Soviet Russia. They and their money had been OK for Yeltzin's and Putin's administrations till the moment they tried to meddle into Russian politics.
Consequently one by one they have been compelled to flee or jailed. They are not 'political dissidents' or 'heroes' in any sense. They are the worst scum and their money are dirty and in worse case covered by blood.