World leaders from every corner of the earth showed up in Moscow’s Red Square yesterday to pay homage to the Russians who fought so bravely and sacrificed so much to help end Nazi tyranny during World War II. And, in a world that seems beset by the spectre terrorism and nuclear brinkmanship, this occasion demonstrated the unlimited capacity of human beings to overcome seemingly mortal hatreds and embrace each other in a genuine spirit of mutual respect and friendship.
But since it would be presumptuous and gratuitous to offer original commentary on this event, the following pictures (indeed each more expressive than words can possibly be) should suffice.
(Nevertheless, for those who have no idea what the fuss is all about (and just imagine that!), click here for a little background information.)
WW II enemies greeting each other like old friends: Japan’s Prime Minister Junichro Koizumi reaches to embrace US President Bush as leaders of nations that were also at war against each other – Germany’s Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Russia’s President Putin – revel in the moment.
Of course, yet another pouting French President (during the war DeGaulle, here Chirac) sits wondering why other world leaders do not seem to appreciate that the whole damn thing was (and is) really all about France….
This mount Rushmore profile of today’s most powerful leaders (including rising star President Hu of China) offers hope that, despite contentious political issues, dialogue (and, indeed, personal friendships) will preclude recourse to armed conflict to settle disputes. In addition, such camaraderie offers the world’s best chance for winning the war on terrorism and foiling nuclear blackmail by rogue states!
Russian President Vladimir Putin, with his arm around President of the European Union Jean-Claude Juncker, takes his guests on a casual stroll through Red Square: among them in the foreground from left to right are Chinese President Hu Jintao, U.N. Secretary Kofi Annan, Putin’s wife Ludmila, French President Jacques Chirac, and U.S. President George W. Bush.
(Incidentally, conspicuously absent from the commemoration activities was UK Prime Minister Tony Blair who was licking political wounds inflicted upon him by ungrateful Labour Party mutineers after he won an unprecedented third term in office last week….)
After fraternizing with their fellow heads of state, Bush and Putin show the world that – like an old married couple who can’t stand each other – they would still prefer to drive together than drive apart….A little spin for two world leaders, but a joyride around the globe for mankind!
News and Politics
Bananas in the Falklands says
Bush and Putins conversation went along the lines “my army is bigger than yours …”
As to Blair he’s still trying to find those Iraqi wmd’s….
And we have to vote for these people, help!
Anonymous says
why is bush cuddling putin? and how can he stand in georgia’s “freedom square” and talk about democracy after just spending so much time with the man who refuses to move his troops off georgian soil. i’m not sure if he’s a craven hypocrite or just plain stupid!