Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev has rejected Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s use of the word “crusade” in referring to the intervention in Libya.
The Czech daily Právo (March 23) suspects that election tactics are playing a role here:
“We are witnesses of the biggest confrontation to date between the tandem that leads the Russian Federation. And this is not a little detail that is only of interest for experts. Russia is about to hold parliamentary elections and in March, 2012, a new head of state will be elected – a decisive moment in this presidential republic….
“Russia is no longer the state where everyone is happy because the sale of oil and gas guarantees economic growth. Putin is starting to go out of fashion. But the people who would like to bet on Medvedev, including the rich entrepreneurs with ties to the West, are not yet sure that he is competent enough….
“If Medvedev wanted to signal that he is serious about his candidacy for president this would give the West hope. But the majority of Russians must want this too.”
Eric Koch’s book, The Weimar Triangle, is available at Indigo-Chapters and in your local bookstore. 
