by WaTcHeR » 09 Jul 2008, Wed 10:57 pm
Rice: Russia should back off regional threats
TBILISI, Georgia — Russia should back off its threats and intimidation of countries once under the Soviet clamp, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday as Cold War-tinged rhetoric escalated between Russia and the United States.
Rice all but dared Moscow to critique her visit to this former Soviet republic locked in a shoving match with Russia that has seen Russia close its border with Georgia and impose trade and other restrictions.
"I'm going to visit a friend and I don't expect much comment about the United States going to visit a friend," Rice said with an edge in her voice.
Rice dined privately with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, a Russian nemesis, a day after Russia warned that it might resort to military means to counter a U.S. plan to base anti-missile defenses in the Czech Republic. Rice called the Russian response sad but predictable.
The system would place radar interceptors in the Czech Republic, a former Soviet satellite, and missiles in Poland. Russia says that's uncomfortably close, no matter the U.S. assurances that the planned shield is a hedge against Iran. Russia says the shield is unnecessary.
Iran test-fired nine long- and medium-range missiles on Wednesday during war games that officials say are in response to U.S. and Israeli threats, state television reported.
"I see it as evidence that the missile threat is not an imaginary one," Rice said, "and that those who say that there is no Iranian missile threat against which we should be building missile defenses perhaps ought to talk to the Iranians."
"Cops that lie, need to die!" A police officer that lies to get an arrest or send someone to prison should be shot.
"In the U.S., a cop with a gun can commit the most heinous crime and be given the benefit of the doubt."
"The U.S. Government does not have rights, it has privileges delegated to it by the people."