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Russian Paper All But Declares Second Cold War

In an article in a Russian newspaper published last Friday, it was stated that American Vice President Dick Cheney?s harsh criticism of Moscow?s human rights record quite possibly signals the beginning of a new Cold War. The paper said that Cheney?s speech, delivered in Vilnius, capital of Russian neighbor and former Soviet slave state Lithuania on Thursday, "marks the beginning of a second Cold War," comparing it to Winston Churchill?s famous 1946 "Iron Curtain" speech that warned of Soviet expansion at Fulton, Missouri.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov did not publicly criticize Mr. Cheney, but he condemned Thursday?s conference in Vilnius, which was composed of pro-Western European leaders. "These are forums that create an impression...that they are convened...for the sake of uniting against someone," Lavrov said. Russia has, due to a history of wars and attacks, a distrustful attitude toward the outside world.

Vice President Cheney said that Russia was restricting religious and political rights and was using its energy reserves as "tools of intimidation or blackmail", noting that Russian actions could harm relations between Moscow, Washington, and Europe. "There is no question that a return to democratic reform in Russia will generate future success for its people and greater respect among fellow nations," he said. Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev says Cheney?s speech "looks like a provocation, and interference in Russia?s internal affair in terms of its content, form and place."