Sunday, May 9, 2010

Victory Day For Whom?

Western troops march on Red Square for Victory Day
By Jim Heintz (AP)


MOSCOW — U.S., French and British troops strode across Red Square for the first time Sunday in a Victory Day parade marked both by the usual impressive display of Russia's military might and by an unusual emphasis on international cooperation.
In recent years, the parade commemorating the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany has been used by Russian leaders to launch veiled criticism of the West, but President Dmitry Medvedev struck a different tone this year.

"Today at this solemn parade, the soldiers of Russia, the states of the CIS and the anti-Hitler coalition march together," he said in his address to the more than 11,000 soldiers on the vast square. "Only together can we counter present-day threats. Only as good neighbors can we resolve problems of global security in order that the ideals of justice and good triumph in all of the world and that the lives of future generations will be free and happy."

[Video update:  From allies, to foes, to friends]

No comments:

Post a Comment