Toby Westerman, Editor and Publisher                                                                                   Copyright 2003

Return to INA TODAY.com  homepage International News Analysis -- the in-depth print report -- covers threats to our nation other media won't address. INA has no hidden agendas, "sacred cows," or "unspoken understandings" that restrain our news coverage. We filter nothing. INA uses sources others cannot -- or will not -- use to report on topics the other news organizations won't touch. Order 12 issues of International News Analysis for only $29.95 U.S. funds; ($39.95 Canadian and overseas). International News Analysis provides in-depth background on the events reported by INAToday.com. International News Analysis gives readers unique perspective on world events, since 1996. Send subscriptions to: International News Analysis. 2364 Jackson St. #301 Stoughton, WI 53589 U.S.A. Save on Your Taxes With A Donation to International News Analysis Institute Corp! Inatoday.com is sponsored by International News Analysis Institute Corp, a tax deductible, nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization. Your contribution will help the real story to be told on overseas events, untainted by the dominant media. We provide the news other sources can't or won't tell you about. Inatoday.com directly benefits you. Please provide us with your support. You may contribute by credit card: -- or by check to: International News Analysis 2364 Jackson St. #301 Stoughton, WI 53589 U.S.A. LINKS Democratic Russia -- a Dangerous Illusion? But Moscow Promises to Make Europe the World's Center July 16, 2003 By Toby Westerman Copyright 2003 International News Analysis Today www.inatoday.com "Against all evidence" the West errs in labeling Russia a "democratic" nation, according to a remarkable editorial in a recent editorial of the French news daily Le Monde. Known for its left-of-center politics, Le Monde, nevertheless, warned the world against Russian authoritarianism, and the tendency to overlook specific instances of Moscow's politics of brutality. Le Monde specifically cited attacks on the media, the murder of politicians, and the rise of military and police figures into positions of prominence in the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite Moscow's patently undemocratic activities, French President Jacques Chirac recently described Russia as "in the first rank of democracies" because of Russia's "respect for differences." Chirac's statements and similar views run counter to "all evidence" and "nourish dangerous illusions" about the true nature of the Russian government, declared Le Monde. France, Britain and Great Britain have recently increased their efforts to draw closer to Moscow, led by the prospect of Russia's great oil and gas resources, and the possibility of Russia acting as a counterweight to American influence in Europe. Moscow is eager to accommodate European desires for a closer relationship with Russia, and replace the U.S. as Europe's main economic, technological, and military partner. Moscow has declared that Europe could become the "world's center" with the help of Russia. "Through cooperation with Russia….the European Union could emerge as the world's center," Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov asserted, following a recent visit by Chirac and other high French officials to Russia. Moscow is on the road to attaining the long-cherished Soviet goal of isolating the U.S. through separating America from its traditional allies. Russia is not only active in undercutting the U.S. in Europe, but Moscow is also assisting other nations hostile to the U.S. in hopes of reducing American influence to only the borders of the U.S. Concerned about Russia? We've been following this story for over seven years -- Get the news the others don't report. Subscribe to our exclusive print report, International News Analysis. Order 12 issues of International News Analysis for only $29.95 U.S. funds; ($39.95 Canadian and overseas). Mail subscriptions to: International News Analysis 2364 Jackson St. #301 Stoughton, WI 53589 U.S.A. Return to INA TODAY.com homepage