On Euthanasia and Crosses in the EU

Socialist Deputy Manuel Valls (1962- ) (centre) of the French Assemblée Nationale (the lower house of the legislature), sponsor of pro-euthanasia legislation in France.

Deputies of the French Assemblée Nationale rejected a bill proposed by Socialist deputy Manuel Valls, which advocated the establishment of “medical care for those wishing to die with dignity”, that is, the legalisation of euthanasia. 326 Deputies voted against the bill and 202 voted in favour of the legislation. “Every adult person with serious conditions may seek medical help to die with dignity”, the bill stated. Today, euthanasia is legal in some European countries, in particular, the Benelux countries and Switzerland.

The Spanish government intends to ban Christian symbols in schools, hospitals, prisons, and barracks. Spanish media reported that ministers of the government would no longer take their oaths of office using the Bible and the crucifix. Currently, the government is considering appropriate amendments to the Law on Freedom of Conscience. In 2008, the City Court of Valladolid, in response to a lawsuit of a group of parents, ruled that a private school had to remove all crucifixes from its classrooms. This decision provoked criticism from the Vatican and Catholic clergy in Spain.

The Spanish Constitution, adopted in 1978, guarantees freedom of religion with the stipulation that “no religion can have the status of a state religion”. However, it declares that the government must “take into account the religious beliefs of Spanish society and to cooperate with the Catholic Church and other religions”. In September, a survey showed that nearly 75 percent of Spaniards consider themselves Catholic, although only 15 percent attend Mass every Sunday, and 55 percent “almost never” do so. 20 percent of Spaniards identify themselves as atheists.

On 3 November, the European Court of Human Rights prohibited the display of crucifixes in Italian public schools in response to a suit filed by Soile Lautsi. She complained that Christian symbols in schools where her children attended prevented them from receiving a secular education. The government of Italy announced its intention to appeal the verdict of the court.

25 November 2009

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=33057

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=33066

I’ll be Home for Christmas!

A Christmas Homecoming (Norman Rockwell, 1948). This is an interesting painting. The people who Mr Rockwell used as his models were his familiars; in fact, the fellow with a pipe facing the embracing couple is the artist himself! On the left, the elderly woman in the old-fashioned dress is Anna Moses (“Grandma Moses”) (1860-1961), the famous American naïve-folk artist. Mr Rockwell and Ms Moses lived close to one another, she in Hoosick Falls, NY and he is Stockbridge MA, both towns are in the Berkshires (they are both close to my home in Albany and Nicky and I have motored through both more than once).

I’ll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents by the tree

Christmas eve will find you
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

I’ll be Home for Christmas

Jordin Sparks

God bless us, every one!

Tiny Tim Crachit

Let’s begin by looking at a dispatch from Interfax. The full text follows below.

******

British Bishops Fear that the New Equality Act will Ban the Public Celebration of Christmas

British Catholics are seriously concerned that the new Equality Act’s adoption will lead to a ban on public celebrations of Christmas, so it doesn’t offend members of other religions. According to the Conference of Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, the bill, supported by MP Harriet Harman, the deputy leader of the Labour Party and the Minister for Equality, would have “dire consequences” for freedom of religion. The Equality Bill obliges all public bodies to ensure equal treatment of all and fight discrimination, writes the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph.

“Today, under existing legislation… local authorities urge people not to display Christmas lights, so as not to offend Muslim neighbours, and refrain from using the word ‘Christmas’… If the new law is really designed to ensure equality, we must do everything possible to avoid dire consequences for the freedom of religion”, read the appeal of the British Catholic Bishops to Parliament. The Catholic bishops also expressed concern that the law would oblige church day-care centres for the elderly to remove crucifixes from the walls, so as not to offend atheist employees. Recently, such a case occurred in a British hospital.

19 November 2009

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=32949

******

We saw that some uppity judges are trying to ban crucifixes in Italian schools. Here, we have a multi-culti PC punk attempting to abolish any public manifestation of Christianity “so as not to offend Muslim neighbours”. These people are determined and serious in their intent to root out the public expression of Christianity. Firstly, let’s get our rage out of our system so that we think clearly.

*&@% You!!

Now, we all feel better after expressing our frustrations; let’s get down to business. If public expressions of Christianity offend certain Muslims (who are not the majority of that group, I must add), I suggest that they move to those Islamic countries that ban such exercises. I say to such sorts, “If you live in a country where the majority is Christian, you must keep your mouth shut when the majority publicly celebrates the holidays of its faith. Our ancestors died in battle against Islam to secure our right to practise our faith and we aren’t going to bow the knee to a loud and unrepresentative minority. If you wish to stay here because you earn more money than you would in your homeland… you must also accept that this place is Christian and you must accept the consequences of that. If not… Leave! Don’t let the door hit you in the arse as you leave!”

In short, “good riddance to bad rubbish”. The courts and their sycophantic apologists are forever mooning about the rights of this-or-that minority. I agree with Archbishop Ieronymos Liapis, “Majorities also have rights”. You tell ‘em, Vladyki! It’s time for real Orthodox to link arms with all other real people of good will. However… we have quislings in our ranks. Such sorts as SVS and their fellow-travellers elsewhere mewl their modernist rot… it’s nothing but the materialist mantra in religious drag. They don’t wish to miss the next conference, seminar, or “workshop”, don’t you see.

By their fruits, ye shall know them… indeed! Reflect on that the next time you hear some pseudo-intellectual (religious or secular, it doesn’t matter) yapping about the “rights” of some minority against society. It’s because they hate Christendom (the public display and exercise of Christianity) and wish to kill it! Ponder that some of those doing such yapping are so-called “Christians” (they are found mostly amongst seminary faculty… a feckless and dreary lot in all confessions)… it’s a meaty question to consider, isn’t it?

I’ll be home for Christmas…

CHRIST IS BORN!

KHRISTOS ROZHDAYETSYA!

GLORIFY HIM!

SLAVITE YEGO!

That’s what I have to say on the matter. I don’t think that offended anyone. If it did… nuts to you. I am a Christian, no one is going to tell me otherwise… and I’m not going to be quiet either!

Stand tall… and remember… He’s making a list and checking it twice (and I DON’T mean Santa). Which side are you on?

Barbara-Marie Drezhlo

Thursday 19 November 2009

Albany NY

Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens Believes that a Threatened Ban Against Crucifixes in Italian Schools is a Dangerous Precedent for all of Europe

Archbishop Ieronymos Liapis (1938- ) of Athens and all Greece, First Hierarch of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece

Archbishop Ieronymos Liapis of Athens and all Greece considers a ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg banning crucifixes in Italian schools a dangerous precedent for European countries, including Greece. He intends to convene an extraordinary Synod next week, with the stated agenda of preparing a plan of action in connection with this decision. Archbishop Ieronymos called on Catholics in Italy to actively oppose “this threat to Christian symbols” and oppose those judges “who ignore the role of Christianity in the formation of European identity”. “Majorities also have rights”, he said in an interview with the Vatican’s official newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano.

On 3 November, the European Court of Human Rights banned the display of crucifixes in Italian public schools in response to a claim filed by Finnish-born Soile Lautsi. Ms Lautsi complained that the Christian symbols in school prevent her children from receiving a secular education. The Italian government announced its intention to appeal the verdict of the court. When the Vatican learned of the decision of the European Court of Justice, it expressed “surprise and regret”. In turn, Igumen Philaret Bulekov, the Representative of the MP to the Council of Europe, stated to our Interfax-Religion correspondent that, as a result of this verdict, “Europe may face social destabilisation, and see the emergence of dispute and heated discussion on issues that previously did not cause conflict in society”.

18 November 2009

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=32946

Editor’s Note:

Now, THIS is what Orthodox can cooperate on with folk from other religions. In fact, we better step up and speak out… otherwise, we deserve everything that the materialists would throw at us. It doesn’t take an advanced degree to figure out that all people of good sense have common interests in the fight against materialistic hedonism, Newspeak, and Positive Thinking. Don’t get it wrong… it isn’t a fight between religion and secularism. Hell, it doesn’t touch theology at all, really. It’s a matter of standing up to nasty judges, their parvenu apologists, and power-hungry bureaucrats… if an atheist wishes to stand on our side of the barricades, more power to ‘em, I say. It’s a fight for the right to be ornery and feisty individuals against a power-hungry Orwellian state and an absurdly conformist Kafkaesque collective… you don’t have to be Orthodox to know that!

I’ve read in other sources on how all the guineas are getting good and riled at this court ruling and are saying that it’s a blow against their Italian heritage and identity. GREAT! I hope that Guido, Little Tony, Big Dom, and Fat Vinnie catch those judges and have a chance to teach ‘em the error of their ways! I’ll clue ya in on a secret… Spiros, Alex, Nikos, and Volodya are hiding behind the next corner to rubber-hose ‘em after the Italian blokes are through… it looks like a good fight. Let’s get in on it so that the good guys win. In the deathless words of Gimli the Dwarf, “Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?” YEE-HAW!

As Gandalf put it so well, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil”. Yes… there are other forces at work… but, we have to rouse ourselves to action for them to triumph.

I’ll even pour a good stiff drink for all concerned afterwards…

Barbara-Marie Drezhlo

Wednesday 18 November 2009

Albany NY

Russian Orthodoxy is Spreading Rapidly

A chateau in Épinay-sous-Sénart, the town where the new MP seminary is located. This is not the seminary building itself, but, it’s in the same town. I wished to give you an idea of this Parisian suburb… yes, it’s rather chi-chi. However, it’s not a McMansion in Syosset, Englewood Cliffs, or Crestwood in Yonkers, that’s for certain… it’s authentic and it’s real.

On 14 November, the feastday of the Unmercenaries Ss Cosmas and Damian, the Paris Orthodox Theological Seminary formally kicked off its operations. Its site is in the suburbs of the French capital in the town of Épinay-sous-Sénart. {Editor’s note: Apparently, this town is in the northern part of the Département of Essone (Région of Île-de-France), which is heavily urbanised and part of the Greater Paris agglomeration. I don’t believe that it is located anywhere near the heretical establishment of St Sergius (ADS’ alma mater).} The solemn opening ceremony was attended not only by a delegation from the MP, but, also, by archpastors from the ROCOR, as well as clergy from the various Local Churches in world Orthodoxy.

The advent of the MP Theological Seminary in France was a long-awaited event. In October 2007, during an official visit to France, the then-First Hierarch of the MP, Patriarch Aleksei Rediger, expressed his desire to open an Orthodox seminary for the use of Russian émigrés [in Western Europe]. Almost immediately, many would-be students submitted their applications to study at this seminary. Amongst them were not only Russians, but, also, Orthodox believers of many nationalities, and even applicants from other confessions. {Editor’s note: It is unclear whether the author meant “applicants who are converts from other confessions” or simply “applicants from other confessions” in the original. Sorry.} Today, the newly-opened MP seminary is located in one of the most comfortable suburbs of Paris. Épinay-sous-Sénart is a green and inviting place with traces of massive medieval walls and a 17^th century Roman Catholic cathedral dominates the skyline. The MP leases the premises from one of the Catholic parishes.

“The opening of this educational institution of the MP is an extremely important event for all of Europe. After all, the voice of Russian Orthodoxy is becoming more powerful in this continent, so, Europe is beginning to listen to it”, Fr Antony Ilyin, the Secretary of the Representation of the MP to the European Institutions, said in an interview with Voice of Russia World Service. “Russia is a world unto itself; it has a unique identity, but, it’s a peer of everyone in the general European civilisation too. We share with Europe the values of Roman law, the Christian religion, and the culture of the Renaissance. Yet, at the same time, we’re distinct from them. We’re the channel of Orthodox Russian civilisation. We should enrich each other. In recent years, Europeans have begun to understand this and listen more and more to our point of view”, Fr Antony continued.

In the last year, the MP worldwide has increased considerably. The inter-faith dialogue of the MP with other religions facilitated the construction and consecration of churches in Western Europe, Latin America, East Asia, and the Middle East, as well as in several Arab states. In addition, this strengthened the position of the Moscow Patriarchate worldwide. “At present, the doctrines and traditions of Russian Orthodoxy are treated with great respect in many different countries, but, that is particularly so in the EU”, Fr Antony noted. “Today, both Roman Catholics and Orthodox defend the values of Christian civilisation in Europe. We try to remind the current architects of a united Europe that without our Christian roots and the traditional Christian values that permeate our social and family life, Europe shall have a bleak future. Unfortunately, in contemporary Europe, many people not only wish to separate the Church from public life, but, they also wish to exclude the religious point of view from all spheres of public life. From our point of view, that’s the way we’re going, and that’s why the MP raises its voice in defence of moral and spiritual values… for it is precisely those values that exalt and enhance human dignity”, he concluded.

Today, almost all European countries have parishes of the MP within them, and the number of Orthodox believers is growing every year, Fr Antony said. Therefore, it is quite possible, and very soon at that, that the MP will have a comparable number of adherents with the major religions of the world, such as Catholicism and Islam.

17 November 2009

Milena Faustova

Voice of Russia World Service

http://rus.ruvr.ru/2009/11/17/2332792.html

Editor’s Note:

Note well the absence of any mention of St Sergius Institute, even though that school is in Paris. Also, note that the existence of St Sergius is completely irrelevant. It has no connection with this seminary at all. Let’s be frank! Archbishop Innokenty Vasiliyev of Paris wouldn’t have it! He doesn’t concelebrate with the Paris poseurs… and he acted with vigour and speed in the Osborne crisis (that means IV is no friend of the Paris gang, wot?). In short, this shows the total insignificance, peripheral nature, and unimportance of the Paris lot and their OCA toadies. Why didn’t the MP just send students to St Sergius… hmm? Interesting, no? It’s as if they don’t exist at all… what an end for an institution with such bombastic and self-preening pretensions!

Here is another point to consider… the MP considers that the “interfaith dialogue” is more a diplomatic exercise rather than a theological exchange. If one views it in such terms, then, it is harmless. One has to have discussions between groups, if for no other reason, to forestall conflict and upset. If one is going to talk with the papists about renting properties or joint work on lobbying legislators or drafting shared statements on secular affairs… such is not only legitimate, it is laudable, and I am the first to praise such. We should keep theology completely out of the palaver… TOTALLY. We don’t agree and we never shall agree (especially with papists with their unseemly worship of their pope). The MP appears to be following the first path… so, hip, hip, hooray!

“Send us letters of friendship only”… yes, indeed!

Barbara-Marie Drezhlo

Tuesday 17 November 2009

Albany NY

“Europe should keep in mind that Russia protects it From an Islamic Deluge”

Natalia Narochnitskaya (1948- ), prominent Russian historian, anti-globalism activist, former diplomat and RF Gosduma deputy

Editor’s Foreword:

Fr Andrew Philips has an interesting article on his website Orthodox England drawn from the following article. I present a translation of the whole, to give it all in context. Thank you, Batushka Andrew, for leading me to this interesting piece! Without you, I would not have known of it!

***

A conference was held yesterday at the University of Complutense in Madrid, and Natalia Narochnitskaya, the head of the Russian Fund for the Institute for Democracy and Cooperation in Paris, was one of the most eminent participants. She warned the conference that she was worried concerning the Eurasian strategies of the USA, saying that she saw them as stratagems by which America was attempting to gain control of all global energy resources. In addition, she noted that “Europe was in decline due to its nihilism and lack of values” and that the European Union pursues a policy of “reviving ancient autonomies”. Ms Narochnitskaya, a former deputy of the RF Gosduma from the nationalist Rodina bloc in 2003-2008, a left-wing nationalist faction that became part of Prime Minister Putin’s party United Russia, is known for her views opposing globalisation and similar contemporary currents. Today, she submitted a report, From Historical Russia to Contemporary Russia, prepared by the Institute for Democracy and Development, which examines the image of Russia found in the Spanish press article, Russia Returns.

***

Interviewer:

Churchill once said of Russia: “Russia is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma”.

The Baptism of Grand Princess Olga (Part One of the Triptych “Holy Rus”) (Sergei Kirillov, 1993). This contemporary painting illustrates the ancient ties that Russia had with Constantinople New Rome. It is why we Russian Orthodox refuse to kowtow to the Pope of Rome and his megalomanic conceits.

Natalia Narochnitskaya:

Russia is charting its own course. Without a doubt, it is absolutely clear that Russia is an integral part of European civilisation, but, we should not see that as being restricted to only to its western currents. Russia is also the successor of [Constantinople New Rome]. The future of Russia is the future of Europe.

Interviewer:

Do you see Messrs Medvedev and Putin as the leaders [of this movement]?

Ms Narochnitskaya:

The West incessantly accuses us of a lack of separation of powers. However, today, we have a real separation of powers. We are speaking of two very strong leaders.

Interviewer:

Would you bet that Mr Putin will be the president in 2012?

Ms Narochnitskaya:

That is not my decision.

Interviewer:

Could the present economic crisis cause a new revolution in Russia in the 21^st century?

Ms Narochnitskaya:

No, Russia is finished with revolutions. Today, the Communist Party is fully incorporated into the political system of the country.

Interviewer:

Can a democracy on the Western model exist in Russia?

Ms Narochnitskaya:

In the West, the word “democracy” implies a philosophy of liberal democracy. In Russia, we see it differently. Not so long ago, we conducted an opinion poll to find out what [the Russian public] considers an unpardonable offence. 92 percent of respondents answered that “Treason to the Motherland” was such an offence. We have a different definition for democracy than you do.

Interviewer:

Why is there no pluralism in the Russian political system?

Ms Narochnitskaya:

Indeed, we do lack pluralism in that sense of the word, as Western-influenced liberals described it in the 90’s. Russians placed high hopes on them, but, they discredited themselves. Today, Russians identify them as the enemies of the people.

Interviewer:

Are Russians nostalgic for their [lost] empire?

Ms Narochnitskaya:

Russians understand that, in the absence of a strong Russia, a new Roman Empire, which is founded on a heap of printed dollars, is now bombing other countries. Faced with such a threat, we turn to our experience. Furthermore, because of its size and uneven development, Russia must have a sphere of influence, otherwise Russia would collapse. Today, Russia is ready to ensure that it will exert more power than in Soviet times.

Interviewer:

What do you think à propos the new “emperor”, Barack Obama?

Ms Narochnitskaya:

Today, the American political élite very much need Mr Obama, as they are attempting to rebuild their ambitions, which were undermined by Mr Bush.

Interviewer:

Between 1982 and 1989, you worked in the UN Secretariat. What are your impressions of the United States?

Ms Narochnitskaya:

The United States represents a civilisation that is devoid of culture. However, Americans are a nice, receptive, and surprisingly innocent people. However, a very strong ideology impels them, and their greed for the almighty dollar generates a predatory instinct in them vis-à-vis their relation to the rest of the world.

Interviewer:

What is the main problem facing Russia?

Ms Narochnitskaya:

The demographic crisis.

Russian Orthodox faithful at services, at communion

Interviewer:

Today, it seems that “Holy Russia” is being reborn. Once again, the churches are filled with people…

Ms Narochnitskaya:

In contemporary Russia, the words of Jesus Christ are more powerful than the words of Trotsky and Lenin. Today, in Russia, former Komsomol members go on pilgrimages to holy places.

Interviewer:

Are Russia and Europe condemned to misunderstanding because of energy disputes? Is it causing a new “cold war” today?

Ms Narochnitskaya:

No, the discussion has not led to a so-called “cold war”. Rather, the EU is agitated because it understands all-too-well its dependence on Russian [energy supplies]. Of course, the EU would rather have Russia dependent upon it, but, we should aim to have our relations reasonably interdependent, although there are questions that unite us and there are disputes that separate us.

Interviewer:

You described the conflict in Chechnya as a “criminal revolt”. What do you think about the fact that the largest mosque in Europe was built in Chechnya?

Ms Narochnitskaya:

I think that Europe should keep in mind that Russia protects it from an Islamic deluge.

26 May 2009

ABC.es

As quoted in Narochnitskaya.ru

http://narochnitskaia.ru/cgi-bin/main.cgi?item=1r300r090601130700 (in Russian)

Editor’s Afterword:

In his recent trip abroad, US President Obama had the gall to lecture both Prime Minister Putin and Pope Benedict. Needless to say, neither man was impressed by the American popinjay. In fact, Mr Putin went from meeting Mr Obama to a meeting with Russian bikers, who were preparing to go on a mass bike rally in the Ukraine to celebrate the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the liberation of Sevastopol in the 2^nd Great Patriotic War. Mr Obama bleated about how “spheres of influence should not exist in the modern age”. Well, Vova gave the bikers a large Russian flag to fly during their motorcade through Little Russia.  Bully for Vladimir Vladimirovich! By his actions, he told that posturing American loud and clear, didn’t he? (Pope Benedict didn’t give in to The Greatest Hope of All Time either. I doubt that BO shall get the message, though. His messianic and self-righteous sort is DENSE.)

From the above, it is clear that Ms Narochnitskaya shares Mr Putin’s views completely. In fact, it is a point-of-view shared by virtually all educated Russians, save for a small minority that is in thrall to Western notions. Americans should shake themselves loose and SEE what is happening. Messrs Obama and Biden (the latter was in my area on Thursday last saying such to the true believers) are both croaking, “Recovery is just down the road!” If you believe that one, boy-oh-boy, do I have a wonderful one-owner bridge just for you!

Remember… iniquity and lies only triumph when we are quiescent. The truth SHALL set you free…

How Can We Save the European Cultural Identity?

Is this a European scene? Am I to be called a racialist for asking the question?

Gert Wilders, the head of the populist Freedom Party in the Netherlands, refused to give a television interview to air his views regarding his vision of the future of Europe in the wake of his party unexpectedly winning all four seats to the European Parliament in the last election. However, it is known that Mr Wilders is opposed to further enlargement of the European Union, and he has even proposed the expulsion of Bulgaria and Romania from the EU. This is because they are unable, in his opinion, to adhere to the principles of the organisation. He spoke against the membership of Turkey in the EU, which, as he put it, is a good neighbour, but, it does not belong to the European family because it is a Muslim country. Mr Wilders is especially concerned about Muslim immigration to Europe, which shall lead, in his view, to the Islamisation of the continent, and which could eventually do away with the freedoms currently established in European society.

I am not going to critique or analyse the political credo of Mr Wilders, for I presume that many contemporary Europeans would not consider it “politically-correct”. But, I have to admit, that the problems he addresses deserve our particular attention. We will not discuss whether it is necessary for the EU to continue its expansion. However, nothing hinders me from concluding that the organisation has poorly «digested» the collective entrance into its ranks of ten Central and Eastern European states. Amongst these states there are those, such as the Czech Republic, and, more precisely, its President, Vaclav Klaus, who question the usefulness of the Lisbon Treaty, which is designed to consolidate the EU…

On the other hand, the reluctance of Mr Wilders to see Turkey in the EU is shared by liberal French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who also strongly opposes its entry into the Union, citing the fact that Turkey is not a part of the European cultural sphere. Do not forget that President Sarkozy is rebelling just as much as Mr Wilders is against the Islamisation of Europe, because France is suffering the effects of this phenomenon at present. In any case, this threatens M Sarkozy sufficiently to cause him to rail against Muslim women wearing the veil in public in France.

In fact, both generally for Europe and, especially, in France, the discussion deals with the difficult quandary between saving the European (and French) cultural identity and listening to the opinions of international organisations that believe that this identity can be sacrificed in the name of freedom of religion. But, the problem persists. If it continues to develop as it is happening today, not only France, but, all Europe will sooner or later face a painful dilemma… whether to yield to idealists, leading to the dissolution of their traditional cultures in favour of an imported one, or to remind holders of that alien culture that it is not acceptable for them to impose their strange ways on the larger society. Of course, this would not put into question their legitimate right of freedom of religion.

8 July 2009

Boris Tumanov

Voice of Russia World Service

http://ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=rus&q=120451&cid=22&p=08.07.2009 (in Russian)

Russia Confirms that Lavrov and Clinton could Meet on 6 March

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (1950- )

On Monday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Hillary Clinton, the new US Secretary of State, could hold their first meeting on 6 March, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, confirming earlier reports. “Different options are being considered. This date is among them”, he said. Francisco Javier Solana de Madariaga, the EU foreign policy chief, was reported to have said last week that top Mrs Clinton planned to meet with Mr Lavrov on 6 March in Geneva following a gathering of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. The meeting is seen as a sign of a thaw in relations between Moscow and Washington, which are strained over a host of issues, including US plans to deploy missile shield elements in Central Europe, which Russia strongly opposes.

Media reports said the new US administration is seeking a compromise on the missile shield dispute and Russia’s cooperation in preventing Iran from building a nuclear bomb, one of the reasons cited for the missile shield. Speaking about “signals sent by the US administration”, Mr Ryabkov agreed that removing concerns about Iran’s nuclear program would pave the way for “more profound talks on cooperation on missile defence”.  He said that Russia has shown no signs it will toughen its position on Iran at the current time. But, he said that international mediators in the long-running denuclearisation talks should step up diplomacy with Tehran as “there is no alternative to political talks in addressing grounded international concerns about Iran’s compliance with UN resolutions”.

16 February 2009

RIA-Novosti

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090216/120167715.html (in English)

“Economic Turmoil is Worse than Terrorism”

The European Union is beginning this difficult week with the discussion of its financial problems, which are getting more serious with every passing day. From 16 to 20 February, in Brussels and Strasbourg, European finance ministers and heads of central banks will discuss what to do with finances, the economy, and the banking system at almost constant meetings. Moreover, the Austrians claim that a big threat to the EU is emanating from Eastern Europe. To bring this home to the EU leaders, several Austrian delegations are arriving in Brussels this week.

The Austrians are convinced that experts in the western part of the EU are mistaken about the scale of financial problems in its eastern part, and that Central Europe, as well as the Ukraine and Moldova, were affected by the crisis to a much greater extent than was previously believed. They demand that Brussels immediately revise a package of measures to support the balances of payment of the East European countries. Brussels allocated 25 billion euros (1.123 trillion roubles. 31.928 billion USD. 22.388 billion UK pounds) for these purposes. The Austrians believe that at least 150 billion euros (6.742 trillion roubles. 191.571 billion USD. 134.33 billion UK pounds) should go to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Hungary, and Romania to prevent mass-scale bankruptcies or national defaults. If the banks in these countries start collapsing one after another, the Austrian banking system will fall like a house of cards. Brussels received such statements with a degree of concern and mistrust because they reflect Austria’s egotism. It is the biggest money-lender to Eastern and Central Europe, which together owe it a total of 220 billion euros (9.888 trillion roubles. 280.971 billion USD. 197.017 billion UK pounds).

The Austrians realise that it will not be easy to move Brussels to pity and persuade it to increase aid. In their battle for aid to Eastern Europeans that will also help their banks, they are using a very effective political argument, the Russian card. Christoph Leitl, the Chairman of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, said, “We should save a weak child. If we don’t do it, Russia will. This child is a subject of rivalry between two families”. This card is bound to win. On Monday, 16 February, EU Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen arrived in Kiev to meet with Ukrainian leaders and discuss what Brussels could do to save the Ukrainian economy from total collapse. However, the EU cannot quite work out whether it is better to deal with President Viktor Yushchenko or Prime Minister Yuliya Timoshenko. Without US and EU help, Eastern Europe will face dire consequences. This is now recognised by American intelligence agencies. DNI Director Dennis Blair told US senators that global economic turmoil and the instability it could ignite had outpaced terrorism as the most urgent threat facing the United States. This threat is primarily emanating from Central and Eastern Europe.

16 February 2009

Andrei Fedyashin

RIA-Novosti

http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20090216/120165494.html (in English)

Eurovision 2009: Stars Amongst the Participants

Patricia Kaas of France, who is famous for Mademoiselle Chante le Blues, Jade Ewen from Great Britain, and Sakis Rouvas from Greece are amongst the names of just some of the singers who confirmed that they shall participate in the international Eurovision 2009 Song Contest. They will arrive in Moscow in May to perform and let all of Europe choose the winner. Moscow was chosen to host Eurovision-2009 after Russian pop-star Dima Bilan, supported by Olympic champion figure skater Yevgeni Plyushenko and Hungarian violinist Edvin Marton, charmed Belgrade with his song Believe In Me. This time, the audiences will probably hear the song’s sequel, since Niels Brinck from Denmark announced the title of his song, Believe Again. What is especially interesting about Eurovision-2009 is the participation of the legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Weber. It’s My Time, a song composed by Mr Webber, will be performed by British singer Jade Ewen. They say that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin promised Webber he would vote for the song.

More than 20 countries out of 43 have already decided on who shall represent them in Moscow. Russia has not yet announced its choice. Yuri Aksyuta, director of musical programmes at the television channel Pervy Kanal (Channel One), commented, “We decided to trust the experts, not only the popular vote of the audience. Then, after the experts choose, the finalists will perform before Russian audiences. One of these performers shall be picked to have the honour of representing Russia”. The final winner will be selected in a televised ceremony in early March. Of course, Russians wish that their participant is as strong as other members of the Eurovision-2009 company. However, nobody expects a landslide victory. Even now, music producers now are thinking about Eurovision-2010. Yana Rudkovskaya, Dima Bilan’s producer, believes popular Russian opera and pop singer Nikolai Baskov could represent his country in 2010. Ms Rudkovskaya says Eurovision has never heard such a splendid tenor, in her words, “A truly golden voice”. Indeed, Baskov’s voice is praised by the world-famous Spanish opera diva Montserrat Caballé. Incidentally, the two were planning to perform together in New York on 14 February.

12 February 2009

Natalia Viktorova

Voice of Russia World Service

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=rus&q=101708&cid=24&p=11.02.2009 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

To give you an idea of the calibre of these performers, I am posting videos by Patricia Kaas, Jade Ewen, Niels Brinck, Sakis Rouvas, Dima Bilan, and Nikolai Baskov below. Truly, there is life outside of the USA!

Patricia Kaas. Mademoiselle Chante le Blues. French entry in the 2009 ESC

Patricia Kaas sings the French entry in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest.