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Politics : Israel to U.S. : Now Deal with Syria and Iran -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ed Huang who wrote (3635)	11/8/2003 5:04:30 PM
From: Ed Huang	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 22250

Europe Visit Boost To Putin By Steven Eke BBC Russian affairs analyst This week's Russia-EU Summit in Rome was expected to see some plain speaking by both sides. In the event, the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, became the centre of attention when he said he fully supported Vladimir Putin over Chechnya and the Yukos investigations. Chirac has come full circle in relations with Putin Embarrassed EU officials later added that Mr Berlusconi was not talking about the EU's policy - only his own, personal opinions. A warm welcome also awaited Mr Putin in France. This in a country that had once virtually frozen its diplomatic relations with Russia over alleged human rights abuses in Chechnya. In Paris, instead of facing a grilling about what human rights campaigners say is an ongoing campaign of abuse, Mr Putin received encouraging news on a potential deal to ease the border restrictions on Russians' travel to some of the EU. This on a day when Europe's leading security organisation, the OSCE, issued a report strongly criticising Russia for "systematic" use of torture. It is not the first time such a document has appeared. And probably not the first time such sensitive issues will remain publicly unmentioned at the new, official Russia-EU meetings. Russian 'protection' Those on the left of EU politics probably choked when they heard Mr Putin demand appreciation from Europe over what he called the "protection" Russia now gives the continent from Islamist extremists. The EU has been critical of Russian actions in Chechnya And faced with journalists' questions, Mr Putin again came close to the coarse, intemperate language he has previously used when put on the spot. Mr Putin is a man who does not like criticism at home, let alone abroad. In Rome, he avoided repeating his infamous statements about flushing bandits down the toilet or circumcising them. Instead, he merely suggested that those foreign journalists who want to ask questions about Yukos had been paid by Yukos to do so. Riding high The results of this week's European tour will, of course, further boost Vladimir Putin's standing at home. His approval rating has often seemed untouchable, even by the most dramatic of events. And with elections due in early December, it is likely forces allied to Mr Putin will score a resounding victory. That means a large number of parliamentary seats for Edinaya Rossiya (One Russia), the electoral bloc headed by the Russian Interior Minister, Boris Gryzlov, which is commonly known as the "party of power". Barring an unexpected shock at the polls, Europe will know where Russia and its leadership will be coming from over the next few years. Divisive issues Human rights and Chechnya aside, there are some other, long-term problems in the Russia-EU partnership. Russian economists say the country faces significant losses with the introduction of quotas and anti-dumping measures when the EU expands next year. There remains a fundamental difference between Brussels and Moscow on support for Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organisation. The EU insists Russia needs to make significant changes to its energy pricing policies, something Russia rejects as hugely damaging to its economy. And any agreements on easing visa requirements are likely to run into opposition from some EU members. news.bbc.co.uk