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Medvedev warns West over G8 expulsion

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Published Date: 03 September 2008
By ANGUS HOWARTH
DMITRY Medvedev, the Russian president, yesterday warned the West it would suffer more than Russia if it tried to impose sanctions over the war with Georgia, the president of which he dismissed as a "political corpse".
Mr Medvedev said Russia did not fear expulsion from the Group of Eight leading industrialised nations.

"The G8 will be practically unable to function without Russia, because it can make decisions only if they reflect the opinion of top global economies and leading political players of the world," he said. "That's why we don't fear being expelled."

John McCain, the US presidential candidate, called for Russia's expulsion.

Mr Medvedev also warned that Nato would suffer more than Russia if ties with Moscow were severed. "We don't see anything difficult about suspending our relations," he said. "But I think our partners will lose more."

Nato nations rely on Russia to move supplies to troops in Afghanistan.

The Russian president said Moscow would not agree to any contacts with his Georgian counterpart, Mikhail Saakashvili, whom he called a "political corpse".



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  • Last Updated: 03 September 2008 12:56 AM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Russia , The G8
 
1

Mashimaro,

China 03/09/2008 03:12:09
Go cubby!
There is no reason for Nato to exist. It has been kept going to fuel US dreams of eastward expansion. That is why it has been wooing former USSR states.
Obviously there are a lot of jobs, pensions etc, involved in Nato. But no one thought about those when the wanted the Warsaw Pact dissolved.
2

Itchy,

03/09/2008 07:00:38
""The G8 will be practically unable to function without Russia, because it can make decisions only if they reflect the opinion of top global economies and leading political players of the world," he said. "That's why we don't fear being expelled.""

In what way is Russia a top global economy?

Who's going to invest in Russia after this escapade?
3

Selgovae,

Scottish Borders 03/09/2008 08:10:45
#2 "In what way is Russia a top global economy?"

It's pretty much at the top for oil production and foreign currency reserves. It has great big bombs as well, which always seems to help secure the invitations to various parties.
4

oder,

Scotland 03/09/2008 13:59:36
1 Mashimaro,China

NATO stay`s intact at the behest of European countries they need America more than the US needs NATO!

yes the Russians produce oil and they need to sell it to the west if it were to be cut or reduced it would certainly have an effect not to mention the devastating effect it would have on the Russian economy,getting into a trade war would not be wise for either side! with some disruption the west would get by and judging by past Russian experience (Star wars Technology)not something they have not had a good experience with.

Mr Medvedev attitude the the "west" needs us is rather silly for a politician there are more ways of getting in and out of Afghanistan than through Russian territory' similar to the white Governments of South Africa who believed that because of the Cape sea route and the strategic minerals of Southern Africa the west would back them! and the exact opposite happened.
Take note Mr President!
5

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03/09/2008 16:30:21
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6

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03/09/2008 16:46:26
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7

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03/09/2008 18:44:45
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8

SouthernGent,

03/09/2008 19:37:02
#5
"Let us not forget, Georgia attacked"

Georgia used its military within its own borders. They did not attack Russia. Just because the Russians have unilaterally decided that they need to be inside Georgia, does not give them the right to that territory.

It would be very similar to Mexico attacking the US because the US clamped down on ex-Mexican citizens within the US. Russia should not be there, period. If the are truly worried about the safety of Ossetians with dual passports, wouldn't it make more sense to let them migrate to Russian territory vs Russia taking Georgian territory?
9

Selgovae,

Scottish Borders 03/09/2008 19:45:58
#7

"Russia has a defence budget less than that of Britain and an economy smaller than that of Spain."

Not according to the CIA fact book. At least not if you use the purchasing power parity GDP figure for size of economy.

"Powerhouse, my butt."

Could be.
10

oder,

Scotland 03/09/2008 19:47:04
6 Brage,Scotland

I don't understand your rant if you are new to these boards that might explain it you've obviously not read many of my posts concerning Africa I am no supporter of Mandela, Mugabe or Mbeki or the ANC and yes I am interested in what goes on in SA.
the point I was making it is unwise for the Russian president to put misguided faith in the belief the the west needs Russia, South Africa did and paid the price for it.
11

Caora Dubh,

Croit sheasgair 03/09/2008 21:18:07
Dmitry, Vladimir, George, Dmitry, Nicholas, Angela, Gordon et al.: What about a hairy-chest-beating-and-fist-brandishing competition? You can take it in turns to stand on your chairs around the conference table, rip your shirt/blouse open to reveal all, and thump your chests, finished by waving your clenched fists in the air and giving war whoops. The winner will be decided by the degree to which you terrorise a group of nursery school children brought in to witness your infantile behaviour. Admittedly George has an advantage, due to years of practice - but it's better than all this childish carry-on.
12

Mashimaro,

China 04/09/2008 01:46:46
#2 Itchy, I invest in Russia. With a return of 190% for five years it is well worth it. Gazprom is a little growth engine.
You seem to forget a few things - 1, Russia and China are buying Britain. 2, There is a pipeline which carries oil east. Japan, has been begging for oil from Russia, as has China. Ooops.
13

Mashimaro,

China 04/09/2008 01:50:58
#4 Order: I have to point out to you, re south africa, that the country did extremely well when the west imposed sanctions. As it has been proven time and again, sanctions only entrench power.
I also have to point out to you that it was the CIA who handed Mandela to the SA security police. Just protecting their interests from the commies, you understand.
14

Mashimaro,

China 04/09/2008 01:52:36
#6 Brage - Yeah dude, but no one cares. They're whites, and whites are an endangered species that no one is scrambling to save, not even themselves.
15

Mashimaro,

China 04/09/2008 01:58:06
#5 Brage: What you say is perfectly true. The US has long supported the apartheid regime of Israel, and we all know the Israeli arms hustlers were in Georgia the moment the loon took power.
But I also firmly believe that Russia was also taking a pre-emptive strike against a heavily armed enemy. If you look up ria novosti's site you'll see the weapons the Russians captured in the pass.
There are many elements which come into play here. You have to ask yourself why the Americans apparently got it so wrong and allowed themselves to land up with egg on their faces. Their security experts surely must have realised the Russians would react the way they did. A 10 year old child could figure that.
Maybe it's a trade off to strike Iran, maybe it was a test of Russia's resolve to protect Iran. Who know until things play out.
16

oder,

Scotland 04/09/2008 11:48:00
13 Mashimaro,China

correct they did, as did Rhodesia too! however their economies were better prepared for sanctions! here a little story you might find amusing the Russian`s (the commies) were buying beef from Rhodesia as the west had sanctions imposed on the country at the time the Rhodesians happily supplied the meat,the Russians in turn sold it on the European market at three times what they paid for it! the lesson here is that when it comes to making a buck! the commies are as much "Capitalists "as anyone in the west.
Mandela was caught in house which was surrounded by the SA security forces which had been watching them for some time! the CIA were not present although there could I suppose be a possibility they may have passed on "information" the SA government like the US government at that time was highly anti communist and I am sure that would have had an effect on US policy on how they would react to communist expansion into Southern Africa.

you said

"we all know the Israeli arms hustlers were in Georgia the moment the loon took power."

for some like you who defends China`s right to sell arms to any Tom Dick Harry or loon (MUGABE) who can pay for them its a little bit hypocritical.

Georgia is a sovereign state and can buy arms from whoever they choose, while I do not condone their actions they did not invaded Russian territory,Russia has invaded their territory two wrongs don't make a right! this kind of foreign policy will convince Georgia that it needs to join NATO and that will make the Russian even more paranoid! not a healthy situation for anyone if the Russian are unhappy about Georgia joining NATO then they need to assure Georgia that they have nothing to fear from Russia a bit difficult under the present circumstances time will tell it may also encourage other states in the region to speed up their application to join NATO,the Russian may have shot themselves in the foot.

17

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04/09/2008 16:31:16
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04/09/2008 16:38:08
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19

2dogs in D.C.,

11/10/2008 20:05:18
So,can someone explain to me how a tiny nation can dictate terms to the U.S.? and,please,use small words-I am a Yank.(un-educated,except for the opinion of the neo-cons, who believe i'm eastern elite.)

 

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