Iraq terror attacks- aiming at Bush, says Putin
Glaz | 19.10.2004 12:03 | Terror War
Russian President Vladimir PUTIN said on Monday (18 October) that "terrorist attacks" in Iraq were directed against US President George W. Bush , and aimed at damaging his re-election prospects . He said any such victory by "terrorists" would also damage the international coalition against terror .
Speaking in Tajikistan, on a tour of Central Asia, Putin also hailed Russia's joining of the Central Asian Cooperation Organization, saying it would enhance the countries' economic and military cooperation
Vladimir PUTIN: Everyone knows very well that Russia was always opposed to military action in Iraq. And today our opinion and President Bush's differ very significantly. International terrorist attacks in Iraq are directed today not only and not even so much against the international coalition forces, as against President Bush himself.
International terrorism is aimed at inflicting maximum damage on Bush's election campaign. International terrorism is aimed at not allowing Bush to serve a second presidential term in America.
If they achieve this goal, then of course they will celebrate their victory. They will celebrate their tactical and all-important victory over America and, in the wider sense, over the forces of the international antiterrorist coalition. I have in mind the role and significance that America has in this coalition.
The decision to take part in the organization's work has, of course, been prompted by our own national interests. Russia is seriously counting on the advantages which will be brought about by our close economic cooperation and by an efficient joint fight against today's global and regional threats. We are prepared to immediately join in collective work in areas such as economic integration, implementation of joint business and infrastructure projects, the fight against terrorism, extremism and drugs, and in military and technical cooperation.
Channel One TV, Moscow,
Vladimir PUTIN: Everyone knows very well that Russia was always opposed to military action in Iraq. And today our opinion and President Bush's differ very significantly. International terrorist attacks in Iraq are directed today not only and not even so much against the international coalition forces, as against President Bush himself.
International terrorism is aimed at inflicting maximum damage on Bush's election campaign. International terrorism is aimed at not allowing Bush to serve a second presidential term in America.
If they achieve this goal, then of course they will celebrate their victory. They will celebrate their tactical and all-important victory over America and, in the wider sense, over the forces of the international antiterrorist coalition. I have in mind the role and significance that America has in this coalition.
The decision to take part in the organization's work has, of course, been prompted by our own national interests. Russia is seriously counting on the advantages which will be brought about by our close economic cooperation and by an efficient joint fight against today's global and regional threats. We are prepared to immediately join in collective work in areas such as economic integration, implementation of joint business and infrastructure projects, the fight against terrorism, extremism and drugs, and in military and technical cooperation.
Channel One TV, Moscow,
Glaz