Thread: U.S. voices concern at breakup of Russian protests

U.S. voices concern at breakup of Russian protests

Mon Apr 16, 1:41 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House expressed deep concern on Monday over how Russian authorities broke up opposition protests over the weekend, calling it heavy-handed and part of an "emerging pattern of use of excessive force."
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Russian police detained several hundred people in central Moscow, including chess champion Garry Kasparov, on Saturday as they dispersed an attempt by President
Vladimir Putin's opponents to hold a protest march near the Kremlin. Next day, riot police beat and chased anti-Kremlin protesters through the heart of Russia's second-largest city St. Petersburg.

"We are deeply disturbed by the heavy-handed manner in which this weekend's demonstrations ... were broken up by the authorities and by an emerging pattern of use of excessive force by the authorities in reaction to similar events," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

"We also find it intolerable that journalists were detained, an unacceptable practice that hinders freedom of the press," she said. "We underscore that allowing peaceful expression of protest is an essential component of democracy and of universally recognized human rights."

The sharp U.S. criticism marked a new chapter in already strained relations between Washington and Moscow. The Bush administration over the past year has at times accused Putin of rolling back democratic reforms. Moscow has voiced suspicions the United States is encroaching on its traditional spheres of influence.

The Kremlin on Monday defended police action against the weekend rallies, saying they were trying to stop "ultra-radicals" from violating law and order.

Germany, currently holding presidency of the
European Union, said earlier on Monday that Russia's police crackdown on the anti-Kremlin protesters and media was "unacceptable" and demanded Moscow explain its actions.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070416/us_nm/russia_usa_dc

A Russian policeman detains a man protesting the detention of Chess grandmaster and opposition leader Garry Kasparov in central Moscow April 14, 2007. (Denis Sinyakov/Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070416/us_nm/russia_usa_dc

Can you say Hypocrisy? Anyone remember the Police State tactics used at the RNC in NY where people were herded like cattle and forced to stay in a pen inside of a asbestoses filled abandoned warehouse?