Thursday, Apr 22, 2004
Putin challenges Europe
By Vladimir Radyuhin
MOSCOW, APRIL 21. Before urging Russia to talk to Chechen rebels Europe should try to talk to Osama Bin Laden, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, said today.
"Europe has rejected the offer of talks from Number One terrorist Bin Laden," Mr. Putin said. "The question arises why they turned down his appeal if they addressed similar calls to us." The Russian leader was responding to a question about Osama's offer of truce to Europe. "If they do not want to sit down at the negotiating table with Osama, they have no right to force us to the negotiating table with his disciples, with those who have undergone training in his camps," Mr. Putin snapped. "Let them (Europeans) try to talk to Osama and we will see where it gets them," the Russian leader said.
"They are very good at teaching others, but when it comes to themselves they want to be clean, neat and shining."
Copyright © 2004, The Hindu.