Ultimately Perestroika has delivered an important dividend to the Russian people - at last the average Russian understands that the collective West cannot be trusted, regardless of their honeyed words and warm crocodile smiles. Far from being Pravda propaganda, Russians now understand that the West (mainly US and UK) really do mean Russia harm, and the right-wing political & business elite of those nations are inherently hostile to Russias interests and well-being.

To: Gazza - Not everybody in the United States & the United Kingdom wants to cause harm to Russia. We really do want to improve our relationship with Russia. It is your kind of thinking that causes mistrust between our nations.

Much of the mistrust comes form Russia, but rightly so due to the loses of WW2. America nor the West is a threat to Russia but since the 90's have made themselves to appear to be so due to the moves described in the article per the Baltic and Warsaw states. The West should have been more helpful to foster democracy while giving Russia her time and space. The results for our governments not doing so has created a backlash of driving current Russia back to its cold war mentality. There is even something to say that the west may have never given up her cold war mentality as well. So many miss-steps from two parts of the world that want to be connected than divided. Our cultures and people have a lot in common even though our governments often has created the atmosphere of mistrust, when there should no be after so many years. Gazza, I have met many Russians and other peoples from the Warsaw and Baltic nations who have come to live in our free world. I am sure they would disagree with your negatively wrong assessment. It is very obvious you do not know much about us, and thus much of the problem that has always persisted between our two countries. It is also difficult for a government to trust another government that supports and takes the sides of other government's that wants to undermine or destroy us. The issue or problems aren't between the people, but between the governments. Best regards to you.

C wrote > To: Gazza - Not everybody in the United States & the United Kingdom wants to cause harm to Russia. We really do want to improve our relationship with Russia. It is your kind of thinking that causes mistrust between our nations. Really? How is that ? It is a serious question..... J.Wyllie wrote: > Gazza, I have met many Russians and other peoples from the Warsaw and Baltic nations who have come to live in our free world. I am sure they would disagree with your negatively wrong assessment. It is very obvious you do not know much about us, and thus much of the problem that has always persisted between our two countries. It is also difficult for a government to trust another government that supports and takes the sides of other government that wants to undermine or destroy us. The issue or problems aren't between the people, but between the governments. Best regards to you. for some part i agree, but i would like to ask you you something about freedom. what is freedom exactly? how can it be 'measured' ? how can you say he or she is not free while you claim to be free yourself or living in a country or continent that is supposed to be really free? "None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free" What if Russians and former soviet people simply don't want to put up with western ideologies/interpretations of so called democracy and freedom. what if they want their own path and way to their own interpretation ? is that called ignorant, rude, or even hostile and rude all of a sudden? the funny thing is, is that the (mostly) Russians have given so many concessions (too many, from my point of view) to the west demonstrating that they do want a neutral, respecting relationship. and what did they get in return? another Saakashvili, another insult, etc.... enough is enough, and while i don't agree with him on many fronts, i do appreciate and respect Putin and Medvedev 'not bowing.......

I've been living in "The Free World" for almost 10 years for someone as me, coming from an Emerging Economy Country with long history of Struggle are two things i'm sure about, one: there is not a perfect country, two: USA is an Empire for sure and Empires aren't founded based on goodwill, brotherhood and spreading of democracy, indeed very few people dictates the foreign the politics, but those ones are the most powerful and greedy ones always with an Agenda...always!....what's really Democracy in the end?...lots of Alienated (uneducated/brainwashed) people doing what Hollywood dictates?, do you really thing those people know what is best for them, do you thing they are really free?...NO! (who cares as long you can buy a bran new car and pretending you gonna take all your material stuff after you die) I do really wish the best for Russia, but it looks a very grim future for them and the rest of the Oil producer countries as Iran cos at the end of all these excuses for spreading freedom thru the world they are USA next target...the cold war continues, arrangements for military engagement continues and Russians (the ones capable to think in spite wester media influence) are in their right to be "Paranoid"..... i would be if was in their shoes.