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Rice to Russia: You're No USSR

Posted Oct 22, 07 3:15 PM CDT in US,  World 

(Newser) – Condoleezza Rice said today Russia shouldn’t use its oil and gas reserves as a “political weapon,” and that the country should move away from authoritarianism and toward democracy. The secretary of state confirmed a “certain distance” between Russia and the US, Reuters reports, but the Soviet scholar said she isn’t concerned about a return of Cold War tensions.

Moscow recently threatened to cut supplies to several of neighbors; other signals show Vladimir Putin consolidating power. Rice focused on how Russia could strengthen ties with the West, urging new independence for the legislature, judiciary, and media. But even as she criticized, Rice was diplomatic, complimenting Moscow for its help on Iran and on newfound “strength” and “cohesion.”

Sources Reuters, Associated Press

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Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a Cabinet meeting in the Moscow Kremlin on Monday, Oct. 22, 2007. On Monday Putin had a telephone conversation with U.S. President George Bush to discuss...   (Associated Press)
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during a joint press conference.   (Getty Images)
Russia's energy minister Viktor Khristenko addresses the media after a meeting with EU Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs, not seen, at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Tuesday Oct. 16,...   (Associated Press)
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attends the signing of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact during a ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Oct., 22, 2007....   (Associated Press)
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice makes remarks at a conference on U.S. and Soviet relations, Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, at the State Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)   (Associated Press)
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