At 16:54 17/04/00 +0100, you wrote:
>Mr Putin's UK visit may putatively form part of a strategy to, among
>other things, drive
>a wedge between Europe and the US in western relationships with the CIS.
>
>Warm regards
>George Pennefather
I think it is more an attempt to forge a special relationship with Blair in
which they are using each other. Putin is a creature created by the
oligarch media owners in Russia. He has been well advised by media
specialists about how to manage his image. They have clearly liaised
closely with Alistair Campbell, Blair's expert spin doctor, in
orchestrating the visit by Tony and Cheryl last month to meet the Putin's
at a special performance of "War and Peace".
Blair has always sought to use personal charm and dynamism to help Britain
punch above its weight. He now seeks to present himself as an intermediary
between Putin and Clinton, especially on the strategic arms limitation
negotiations,
The press release also refers to financial talks between Britain and
Russia, designed of course for Britain to get some tactical advantage
relative to German and French capitalism in Russia.
Neither Putin nor Blair are trying to drive a wedge. At best, as
sophisticated opportunists, they are efficient transducers of the balance
of forces, internally and externally.
All at the expense of the oppressed people of Chechnya, of course, of whom
Blair is as much a champion by dialogue, as he was a champion by war of the
rights of the muslim people of Kosovo.
I see nothing progressive in these exchanges except that global dialogue is
better than global war.
Progressive and marxist people should note which nations are oppressed and
which are oppressor, and where the interests of capital lie, and those of
working people.
Chris Burford
London
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