US decries Russian "unilateralism"

File this under "almost too ironic for words":

The United States said on Thursday it would not support Russian President Vladimir Putin if he carried out his threat to attack Chechen rebel bases in Georgia and slammed him for suggesting he might.

"The United States strongly supports Georgia's territorial integrity and would oppose any unilateral military action by Russia inside Georgia," a State Department spokesman told Reuters.

"We take strong exception to statements yesterday by President Putin threatening unilateral action against Chechen targets on Georgian territory if Georgia does not capture and hand over Chechen fighters," he added.

With some creative editing, this is how the Russians might respond:

Russia said on Thursday it would not support US President George Bush if he carried out his threat to attack Iraq and slammed him for suggesting he might.

"Russia strongly supports Iraq's territorial integrity and would oppose any unilateral military action by the US inside Iraq," a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman told Reuters.

"We take strong exception to statements yesterday by President Bush threatening unilateral action against Iraqi targets if Iraq does not allow weapons inspectors back in," he added.

With its belligerance toward Iraq, the US has surrendered any high moral ground it may have held. Indeed, Russia is engaged in its own war against "terror", and if Georgia harbors said terrorists, doesn't the "Bush Doctrine" give Russia a right to unilaterally invade Georgia to root them out? Ditto Pakistan and India. Or Colombia and Venezuela.

Posted September 12, 2002 02:17 PM | Comments (1)