Putin warns West on North Africa democracy-building

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Putin_warns_West_on_North_Africa_democracy-building.html?cid=29580876

Feb 24, 2011 - 18:39
By Darya Korsunskaya

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin cautioned the West Thursday that attempts to meddle in the rebellions of the Arab world may sweep extremists to power. snip


"Not long ago at all, our partners came out actively for honest democratic elections in the Palestinian territories," Putin said.

With heavy sarcasm, he added: "Wonderful! Well done, lads! And it turns out Hamas wins, the same people you are calling a terrorist organisation and have started to fight against."

Hamas -- which does not recognise Israel and won U.S. and European Union-backed Palestinian Territory elections in 2006 -- seized control of Gaza 18 months later after fighting allies of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

[howaboutme]

1. Not as if it hasn't happened many times before

USA finds a dictator amenable to taking our payouts and doing our bidding and supporting Israel, and he then becomes our best buddy while the people must eat sawdust and be ruled by force.

[Drale]

2. I never thought I would agree with Vlad "Mad" Putin

We don't need anymore extremist government, especially when we are fight that very thing here against the right.

[GodlessBiker]

3. Being in favor of democracy only when it serves our own interests isn't very democratic.