It is very strange indeed, and I'm sure it's true. But this is happening when Spanish is becoming the language of the United States
WORLD AFFAIRS
Softer Russian Power
Moscow once extended its reach through schools and language. No more.
From the magazine issue dated Jun 9, 2008
Member Comments
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Posted By: giltedged @ 07/19/2008 11:44:18 PM
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Posted By: Johnsm @ 07/17/2008 12:03:08 PM
Saakashvili: Unconditional Return of IDPs Essential for Conflict Resolution
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 17 Jul.'08 / 18:39
Unconditional return of displaced persons back to Abkhazia is an essential part of the Abkhaz conflict resolution, President Saakashvili said on July 17 shortly before meeting with visiting German Foreign Minister in Batumi.
President Saakashvili made the remarks in response to the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov???s statement on July 17, when he said that signing a non-use of force treaty was required before starting discussions over return of displaced persons. ???We think that signing a treaty on the non-use of force without any preconditions is an absolutely unavoidable first step,??? Lavrov said and added that at this stage return of displaced persons was ???absolutely unreal.???
???I want to respond to the Russian Foreign Ministry???s shameful statement,??? President Saakashvili told journalists in Batumi, ???usually I do not respond to their statements, because some low rank officials say so much nonsense sometimes that even our Foreign Ministry does not respond to them ??? but what they said today is already a political statement and it is a very alarming statement, which should be discussed at a serious level.???
???They said for the first time today that they would not allow the return of refugees to Abkhazia,??? Saakashvili said and added that this statement was made ???in response to the western pressure that the displaced persons should be returned to Abkhazia.???
???I want to say that the refugees will return to Abkhazia and we will secure this process together with the international community,??? he continued. ???Nobody in other capitals, including in Moscow, will assume the responsibility for such an inhumane and barbaric decision [not to allow IDPs to return]. This decision is the repetition of the most disgraceful and barbaric precedents which occurred in Europe in the past. And I do not think that it will be an issue of serious discussions even in the Russian government. I hope that we are dealing with very incorrect judgments of a very narrow group of people.???
???We will achieve peaceful resolution of conflicts and unconditional return of refugees is a part of peaceful resolution of conflicts. It was one of the most barbaric and forgotten ethnic cleansing,??? he added. -
Posted By: Johnsm @ 07/17/2008 12:02:02 PM
Tbilisi Protests Russia???s Military Exercises
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 16 Jul.'08 / 18:53
The Georgian Foreign Ministry said that the recent military exercises launched by Russia???s North Caucasian Military District (SKVO) close to the Georgian border, is a continuation of Russia???s aggressive policy.
Eight thousand personnel from the Army, the Interior Ministry and border guards of the Federal Security Service are involved in the military exercises code named Kavkaz-2008, which were launched on July 15. The Russian side said that ???in connection with an escalation in tension in the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian conflict zones, issues related to involvement in special peace enforcement operations in the zones of armed conflict will also be worked out during the exercises.??? On July 10 Colonel General Sergey Makarov, the commander of SKVO, said that Russia???s North Caucasian Military District was ready to provide assistance to Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia and South Ossetia if needed.
???Not a single document on conflict resolution authorizes the armed forces of the Russian Federation to carry out any activities on the territory of Georgia,??? the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on July 16. ???Hence, the mentioned statements of Russian military officials cannot be considered other than a threat of military intervention and aggression against a sovereign state.???
Tbilisi claims that Russia???s ???aggressive policy??? poses a threat to peace and stability in the entire Caucasus region.
???They should understand in Russia that as a result of such a development of events, the increasing tensions and armed attacks in [Russia???s republics of] Chechnya, Ingusheti, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria between local rebels and Russian law enforcement agencies may spill into in a wide-scale destabilization, that, in our opinion, would not be in Russia???s interests,??? the Georgian Foreign Ministry said. ???We insistently call on the Russian side to refrain from irresponsible statements and stop aggressive policy against Georgia.??? -
Posted By: nutsUA @ 06/07/2008 3:18:40 PM
I'm so sick and tired with "pumped up by oil Russia" cliche. I still cannot understand
why it's being good for Middle East Arab countries to be
"pumped up by oil" and at the same time it's a shame for Russia.
Oil, gas, corn or whatever - "pumped up" is a good thing for a
country. :)
You wrote that "Kiev's Mahyla Academy, where courses are taught in Ukrainian and
English only." You forgot to mention that after classes at least two
third of these students communicate/live their life speaking
Russian. In Eastern parts of the Ukraine this percentage is even
higher.
There is no choice for students now. They simply cannot take classes that are taught
in Russian. Ukrainian and English are the only options. They are a permitted languages,
approved education system by Ukrainian government.
It's not a people choice it's just a politic.
Why should I choose English or Russian or Ukrainian language only.
I wish to learn all three of them ... plus French and Chinese. -
Posted By: alya @ 06/05/2008 4:46:30 PM
It's natural people are learning English (it's a necessary skill now for everyone no matter where you live) but it doesn't necessarily mean hostility to Russia: "geopolitics are less important than their career prospects". They will study Russian once they realize how they can benefit from it. Besides, Russian culture and civilization have contributed so much to the world culture that they will inevitably keep their influence and of course they are a great resource for Russia.
The author starts with a few obvious statements (like the willingness of the young to study languages and to travel) and than makes ungrounded conclusions about politics in general, about attitude to Russia etc. It is superfluous or just simple brainwashing. Sorry. -
Posted By: Kadir @ 06/04/2008 6:22:03 PM
i dont know i have not born yet in soviet union time, but iam from Uzbekistan and as you know Uzbekistan used to be one of those soviet union countries. as my parents told soviet times were really great even if they coudnt go outside of soviet union they had a good life. my parents also say that soviet union provided people with everything that they needed. even the life right now in Uzbekistan as not good as it used to be during soviet union time, and thats one one of the reasons why i came to,
hovewer, i still respect russian language because i studied in russian school, i got my primary education in russian languge whatever happens i will still support Russia. -
Posted By: Ilia_Prahov @ 06/03/2008 3:30:16 PM
Soviet Union was a nasty country, that was virtually sealed from the rest of the world. Foreign language was in school curriculum, BUT quality of education was extremely low, and as a result, the only soviet people, who spoke proper English were diplomats and KGB agents. Luckily, Soviet Union is no more and some families that live in big cities can now send their children abroad to learn foreign language. There are some good language courses in Moscow too.
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Posted By: alya @ 06/05/2008 4:57:24 PM
Language is important for overall development of an individual, it also offers lots of opportunities if you speak it well but it is not everything. You can't say that education in the USSR in general was bad. It's true only for foreign languages.
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Posted By: Ilia_Prahov @ 06/03/2008 3:17:21 PM
q
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Posted By: 489222 @ 06/03/2008 9:07:04 AM
'At least, for the first time in generations, she has the choice.' It is stupid. If you would like to learn English in the Soviet Union, you would not have any problems. A perfect knowledge of Russian was not necessary. Even Stalin before the end of life speak English with errors
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Posted By: 489222 @ 06/03/2008 9:06:04 AM
"At least, for the first time in generations, she has the choice."
If you would like to learn English in the Soviet Union, you would not have any problems. A perfect knowledge of Russian was not necessary. Even Stalin before the end of life speak Russian with errors -
Posted By: luba @ 06/02/2008 8:20:49 AM
Good afternoon! (I ask a pardon for my bad English!) I have read through your clause and there was a desire to express the indignation of that antiRussian propagation and lie by which your clause is impregnated! The arrogance and hypocrisy will ruin America and other countries of the Western world! I lived 10 years in Israel (at me the Israeli citizenship) and as thousand left for Israel in 1991 - in 1998 I have returned to Russia, to Moscow! Last ten years I live in Moscow. Having visited many countries, would tell so: Russia - NEW, Russia-HAS changed, and the USA - have remained in 80th years!" Cold war " and propagation against Russia NEVER came to an end and it is the fact, many clever people in Israel and all over the world understand it! As soon as Russia became weak in 90 - America and the West as a whole at once have started to use this weakness in the purposes: to expand NATO, to finance the footmen Yuschenko, Saakashvili, to create military bases in the Europe and in Asia, to conduct the antiRussian propagation in all directions!America always considered strong Russia and considers as threat of the hegemony, to the sovereignty! I, as well as many my Israeli friends we consider, that America has made a historical mistake when in 90 has started to support drunkard Yeltsin and to help it to plunder Russia when has started to cover thieves and gangsters who plundered Russian people, to use weakness of Russia, to finance tyrants in Georgia and Ukraine, naming their democrats! America in the future will very dearly pay for this mistake, since for 95 % of Russians today, America is an enemy! Putin is the most westernized politician from possible for today in Russia, but to vegetables of cold war, such as Bush and ?????????? it to not understand, they live still a policy 80! In Russia all people considers, that on expansion of NATO it is necessary to return bases to Cuba, necessary to build new nuclear rockets, the ships, to distribute the Russian-Chinese influence by the same ways as it is done by America! Why it "is possible" for America, and Russia, or still someone "IS impossible" for China, Iran, Canada??? Really you think, what writing down every year all the new and new countries in " an axis of a harm " America remains the influential country? America harms to Russia in economy where can, for example, agitates to build oil pipelines and gas mains around of Russia... And as you look at if China or Russia will finance and will change a mode in Mexico (which has come to power very doubtful by!) also will start with Mexico to sell oil " around of America "? The world has changed! If America wants, that with it respected - IT SHOULD RESPECT with OTHERS, Including Russia! STOP FOR THE BEGINNING TO CONDUCT the IMPUDENT, FALSE PROPAGATION AGAINST Russia!
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Posted By: george_uni @ 06/02/2008 3:17:14 AM
I am Ukrainian, I know English well, but Russian - it is my historical language.News are lying. Ukrain respect EU, but prefer stay out of membership.
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Posted By: mcassgrab @ 06/03/2008 9:48:44 PM
once that oil runs out you'll be going back to Israel.
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Posted By: george_uni @ 06/02/2008 3:17:03 AM
I am Ukrainian, I know English well, but Russian - it is my historical language.News are lying. Ukrain respect EU, but prefer stay out of membership.
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