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USA sponsors... Russian parties?

Discussion in 'Alley of Lingering Sighs' started by The Shaman, Jul 5, 2005.

  1. The Shaman Gems: 28/31
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    This was a new one for me, at least. Turns out part of the budget currently going through the US senate includes aid for the development of democracy in the ex-USSR, and some $85 mil are going to Russia. That I can understand, but apparently 5 of these millions are assigned to the "Program for developing Russian parties" or some such (the source I was reading was not in English, so the name will likely be wrong).
    I'm a bit skeptic about this whole deal. First of all, it smells a bit of trying to create a lobby... or to put it not too subtly, bribe someone. But there's also the complications this'd likely cause in the relations between those two countries, and on the course of democracy in Russia. I mean, after all it's a bit fishy when another country finances parties in your own, however strangely they put it. And when that country has been in less-than-friendly relations with yours for a long-ish historical period, I suppose there could be some resentment - actually, I'd go for "a lot".
    http://english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/368/15743_democracy.html
    Zhirinovski and the communists couldn't ask for a better advertisement, imo.
     
  2. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    While there still is an element of creating equal chances - it is simply about taking influence in foreign politics, hidden behind 'benevolent' NGOs and not-quite-GOs. The U.S. simply try to play another colour coded revolution game in Russia. But I doubt Putin will allow that.

    I *know* the U.S. would just :love: love :love: France to fund a pro-French party in the U.S., or how about Mexico to fund a Hispanic party in the U.S. ... :rolleyes: ... However, the U.S. funding a pro-U.S. party in Russia, now that is legitimate foregn policy ... reciprocity deficit anyone?

    A country has to find it's own way, and foreign meddling usually only creates a backlash.

    How to discredit the Iranian democratic opposition? Give them U.S. funding.
     
  3. Gnarfflinger

    Gnarfflinger Wiseguy in Training

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    Actually considering the dumb asses that run the show here in Canada, a Puppet party for King George wouldn't look too bad right now...
     
  4. The Shaman Gems: 28/31
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    Hmm, you'd prefer him in charge? Wow, things must be really bad.
     
  5. Gnarfflinger

    Gnarfflinger Wiseguy in Training

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    Well, a bunch of corrupt, amoral imbeciles currently run the country and can't unite enough opposition support to change that...

    I'd rather have a Warmonger who can understand economics and morality than the jackasses we're stuck with...
     
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