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Title: Is Russia Sponsoring Terrorism?
Source:
New York Times
URL Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/19/ ... ssia-sponsoring-terrorism.html
Published: Apr 19, 2018
Author: Sen. Cory Gardner
Post Date: 2018-04-26 02:08:06 by A Pole
Keywords: Russia, Syria, Putin
Views: 790
Comments: 2
Despite the imposition of unprecedented sanctions against Russia by the Trump administration and Congress over the past year, President Vladimir Putin only seems more intent on causing grievous harm to international peace and stability. Alongside increased financial sanctions against Mr. Putin and his cronies, there is another arrow in the American quiver that would add diplomatic pressure against Russia: The State Department should consider adding the country to its list of state sponsors of terrorism, alongside its close allies Iran and Syria. [...] This week, the Organization for Prevention of Chemical Weapons announced that the Kremlin had crossed yet another previously unimaginable line, when it confirmed findings by the British government that a Russian military-grade nerve agent, which British authorities identified as Novichok, was used to poison a former Russian intelligence agent, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury. [...] Russia has denied the charges, but the evidence is overwhelming. So is the attack’s significance: Russia is now officially responsible for a chemical weapons attack against a NATO member state on its own soil — a brazen violation of sovereignty of our closest ally. It requires a serious American response. This startling confirmation comes on the heels of horrendous chemical weapons attacks by Mr. Assad against his own people in Syria. He is in power only because the Kremlin provides him with extensive diplomatic, military and economic support. [...] There is also evidence that Russia is playing both sides of the conflict in Syria — defending the murderous Assad regime, but also fueling the radical insurgency against it. Reporting by Ukrainian news outlets has shown that Russia has provided material support to the Islamic State, including assistance in recruitment. According to these reports, the Islamic State now counts thousands of Russian-speaking jihadis among its forces. [...] This is why I plan to introduce legislation that would require the State Department to determine within 90 days whether the Russian Federation meets the criteria to be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. If the answer is yes, Russia would face restrictions on American foreign assistance, a ban on American defense exports and sales, limits on American sales of certain items that have both civilian and military uses, and other financial and other restrictions. [...] Sen. Gardner: [...] Some will argue that applying such a toxic label to a major global power, one with a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, will not get it to back down, and might even further damage American-Russia ties, already at an all-time low. [...] However, it is clear that the blame for today’s distrust and tensions between Moscow and Washington lies entirely with the Kremlin and its atrocious behavior. We must take every diplomatic step necessary to protect our allies and our democracy, and to deter a revanchist Russia that is intent on rewriting history and threatening our way of life. Some readers comments: Bill Langeman Tucson, AZ April 21 The hard Cold Fact which no one in the west really wants to face, is that Russia is an existential threat to the existence of the profitable and democratic order in the world. Russia has failed to deal with the 21st century and so instead it is acting as a spoiler to try and destroy what is best for everyone else. The rational and logical extension of this is that Russia will have to be destroyed at least as it exists now. PAN NCApril 21 Mr. Gardner, you are right that Russia should be classified as a sponsor and even a perpetrator of terror as we saw in their chemical terror activities in the UK. But with all due respect, we have a bigger problem sitting in the White House who is cheer-leading the Russians and supporting their leader. Indeed, he is there because of the Russians to terrorize most American citizens - loss of healthcare, astronomical deficits to feed the American oligarchs, reckless trade wars, alienating all of our allies, and turning Americans against Americans. I find it interesting that you omit the Russian intrusion into our democracy in effect terrorizing supporters of a reasonable candidate in favor of their stooge. One only has to look at the vicious narrative spread by the Russians - indistinguishable from the Republican narrative, of course - to see the damage done to our society. Sponsor a bill impeaching the entire illegitimate trump administration and you will gain a semblance of respect and support from me. Jim Mooney Apache Junction, AZ April 21 So I guess destroying Iraq and Libya, while meddling in Ukraine and Syria, and overthrowing a dozen governments in secret, as we did, Isn't terrorism? What a load of baloney. Keep repeating the warmongering talking points you are fed. Rudolf Rojas Washington, DC April 21 I commend Senator Gardner for speaking truth to power. It really is high time that the west took off the gloves when dealing with the mafia state and its consiglieres in the Kremlin. Putin through his appalling criminal behavior has wreaked enough havoc in the world from Ukraine, Georgia, Transnistria, Chechnya, Syria and now England. The west should spare no measures to punish Putin even as far as boycotting their showcase World Cup and imposing some real sanctions that would convince the people of Russia that their illustrious leader is more of a liability than an asset. Furthermore, what a sad state of affairs it is that the West seems incapable of countering the real threats they produce. I commend the US for supporting the provision of lethal weapons to Ukraine to fight the marauders as well as the elimination of their Mercs in eastern Syria and that many countries have expelled their ‘resources’ from their respective embassies. Let’s hope Putin will get the message that his behaviour will no longer being tolerated and does nothing but cement its reputation as a pariah state. 
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#2. To: A Pole (#0)
Yeah PuTin wasTed The russian bolsheviks Now I hope They can wasTe The american bolsheviks Too Love
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boris
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