XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THURSDAY, DECEMBER 09, 1999 10:52:08 ET XXXXX

YELTSIN BLASTS CLINTON: REMEMBER, WE HAVE NUKES!

A cold war of words: Russian President Boris Yeltsin in China on Thursday blasted U.S. President Bill Clinton over attempts "to put pressure on Russia" over Chechnya, noting that Moscow has a nuclear potential.

"Bill Clinton permitted himself yesterday to forget by a second, by a minute, by half-a-minute what Russia means and that Russia has a complete arsenal of nuclear weapons," said Yeltsin in Beijing.

"We shall dictate the world how to live rather than Mr. Clinton alone."

The Chechen problem is Russia's internal matter, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue added.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Zhang said that Chechnya is part of Russia, and China understands and supports Russia's efforts aimed at preserving unity and territorial integrity of the country.

Boris Yeltsin and China President Jiang Zemin and their wives met for a family dinner in Beijing on Thursday.

The informal summit between Yeltsin and Jiang was held at one of the most picturesque places of Beijing -- the Diaotai residence.

Under this cozy atmosphere, the first phrase, addressed by Yeltsin on Thursday to the Chinese head of state: "How do you do, my dear old friend."

MORE...

Just as... an envoy of Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov Thursday accused Russia of using chemical weapons!

"There are people with blisters covering their bodies, who complain of abnormal drowsiness, but we do not know what kind of gas was used," Saidhassan Abumuslumov told a news conference in Istanbul. He said chemical weapons were used on the night of Dec. 5 in two areas of Grozny.

Witnesses reported seeing "a strange yellow smog" when some bombs exploded.

MORE...

-- here we go (@ .), December 09, 1999

Answers

That strange yellow smog sounds like mustard gas?

-- lisa (lisa@work.now), December 09, 1999.

Interesting reminder on interesting date

-- did she die (suicide@murder.nuke), December 09, 1999.

Great... Maybee will WILL be nuked today...

-- Crono (Crono@timesend.com), December 09, 1999.

Trivia: Joseph Stalin was born on Dec. 21st, which is coincidentally the birthdate of Jane Fonda and Phil Donahue.

-- Nikoli Krushev (doomsday@y2000.com), December 09, 1999.

"Bill Clinton permitted himself yesterday to forget by a second, by a minute, by half-a-minute what Russia means and that Russia has a complete arsenal of nuclear weapons," said Yeltsin in Beijing.

"We shall dictate the world how to live rather than Mr. Clinton alone."

Just more of that good 'ol world security

Dontcha all feel secure?

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), December 09, 1999.

Let's put all of this in perspective. Suppose that Texas wanted to break away from the Union. Do you think that the Federal government would allow this to happen. Of course not. They would send in troops and planes and bomb the heck out of those nasty Texans.

Clinton and nearly all of his national agenda is set by the public opinion polls, the rest is caught in his zipper. It seems to me to be very hypocritical to bomb the Serbians one year and be totally lame the next with the Russians.

As a national leader, he is the U.S. joke heard round the world. He has difficulty dealing effectively with Bullies. Saddam and Maloskovic (spelling?) know this.

These leaders should have learned a lesson from the Chinese government. Bribe our leader with huge amounts of money and he will give you anything you want.

Even Fidel Castro can push Clinton around...it is pathetic what an empty suit he has become. I suppose he always has been.

-- Mr. Foreign Policy (what@joke.heis), December 09, 1999.

Let's put all of this in perspective. Suppose that Texas wanted to break away from the Union. Do you think that the Federal government would allow this to happen. Of course not. They would send in troops and planes and bomb the heck out of those nasty Texans. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Really Bad Idea.

-- MegaMe (CWHale67@aol.com), December 09, 1999.

We Texans most wholeheartedly do not recommend that.

-- lisa (lisa@work.now), December 09, 1999.

Anyone have a clue why Yeltsin worded that warning quite the way he did? It seems a little strange not to have some special significance.

"Bill Clinton permitted himself yesterday to forget by a second, by a minute, by half-a-minute what Russia means and that Russia has a complete arsenal of nuclear weapons," said Yeltsin in Beijing.

beej

-- beej (beej@ppbbs.com), December 09, 1999.

beej:

I don't know if the "rambling" about how long Clinton allowed himself to forget is of any special significance.

The intent of the statement of PRIORITY ONE significance. If Yeltsin is not above threats to use nuclear weapons, he is not above using them--particularly if you consider his record for strange statements and behavior.

There are lots of other indicators that show a definite foreign policy shift with Russia and China--towards containment or destruction of the USA. It's not a matter of "can they?" Yes. It's a matter of intent.

You have to admit, under Clinton and Cretien, North America has never been so vulnerable to attack as right now...and Russa-China will go through the rollover BEFORE we do.

"use 'em or lose 'em" will be a terrible temptation, don't you think?

-- (Kurt.Borzel@gems8.gov.bc.ca), December 09, 1999.