All Quiet On The Eastern Front?

[Wayne]

It now appears to me that Russia has passed a milestone in history. The economy is going to improve now that Putin has decided to work with Bush in Bush's international political agenda. In return for CIS cooperation in the 'war against terrorism', The West is going to accede to Putin on the economic front. We also are going to hear much less criticism of Putin's policy regarding Chechnea.

Western capital is now going to flood into the CIS economies.

I am of the opinion that Ukraine would do well to not act surly with Russia. Having a mind of independence is one thing. Treating one's neighbors with disrespect is quite another.

It is not too far-reaching, in my thinking, to view Ukraine - Russia in the 21st Century with somewhat the same light as United States - England in the 19th century. Given time for healing of wounds and establishment of national pride, the respective two countries will embark upon mutually beneficial relationships.

[Ronbo]

Originally posted by JetSet
Ukrainian president condemns Internet as tool for political warfare

By freedomforum.org staff

11.15.01


Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma condemned the Internet, calling it a tool for political warfare and muckraking.

"The Internet has become a killer. People can write whatever they like without signing their names, and then it appears in the mass media,'' Kuchma told journalists yesterday, according to reports carried by Reuters and Ukrainian Interfax.

"You won't see filth the likes of which we often get in Ukraine (on the Internet) in any other European country,'' Kuchma contended.

Although Ukraine has been criticized by rights groups for its manipulation of conventional media and for the deaths of journalists, the Internet is an area where the free press has flourished, beyond the reach of the long arm of the state and other vested interests. Web sites often carry uninhibited criticism of the president and other senior figures.

That may change. Government officials are reportedly working on ways to regulate the Internet, possibly by licensing Web sites.

The Internet is known to have become a thorn in Kuchma's side and, political analysts say, a pressing issue ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2002.

Interfax reported today that Kuchma had urged staff in television, radio and other communications "to proceed from the principles of healthy objectivity and observe the constitution and laws of Ukraine," rather than "to be guided by party or personal sympathies" in covering the election campaign.

Ukraine's biggest political scandal erupted last year after a reporter working for an online newspaper disappeared in September. The headless corpse of Georgiy Gongadze, a reporter critical of Kuchma, was found two months later.

Thousands took to the streets demanding Kuchma's resignation after audio tapes were published on which a voice identified as the president's was heard ordering aides to "deal with'' Gongadze.

Kuchma denies all involvement in the reporter's murder and says the tapes, which a former bodyguard says he recorded in the president's office, were doctored to put words into his mouth.

Kuchma weathered the scandal but it continues to have an impact on foreign relations and is regularly brought up by U.S. and European officials.

Kuckma sucks! Control the Internet? Ain't no way, Jose!