Putin cracks jokes addressing Eurasian forum, slams nationalism, stupidity

Channel One TV, Moscow
18 Jun 04

[Presenter] A meeting of the Interstate Council of the Eurasian
Economic Community began in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana this
morning. The Presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia
and Tajikistan are taking part in it. The Armenian leader [Robert
Kocharyan] is participating in the summit as an observer. [Passage
omitted]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has addressed the international
conference “Eurasian integration: contemporary trends and challenges
of globalization” at the Lev Gumilev Eurasian university. [Passage
omitted]

[Correspondent] Opening the conference, Kazakh president Nursultan
Nazarbayev made a speech about problems and prospects of the Eurasian
integration. After that, Putin took the floor, lending the discussion
an informal tone.

[Putin] I have already told [Kazakh president] Nursultan Nazarbayev
that we have arrived here to discuss a humanitarian issue, but he is
not treating us in a humane way. It is six in the morning Moscow time
now. [Laughter among the audience]. I can hardly deliver a wide-ranging
speech about the issues you are going to discuss.

Anyway, there is no doubt that [Russian historian and philosopher
Lev] Gumilev’s ideas have spread among people. Some experts say that
virtually all people are related in the 14th or 15th generation. I
do not know how it looks in the global scheme of things, but in our
land, especially in the Eurasian territory of the former Soviet Union,
we certainly are all relatives, and not in the 14th generation but
closer, obviously. Although, judging from what is written in the
programme that I have, some people are much more closely related
to you. I quote: the forum’s opening ceremony. Then, greetings by
leaders of the Eurasian Economic Community member states. After that,
separately: Kocharyan’s address. [Laughter, a round of applause]

[Correspondent] Joking aside, Putin went on to say that countries
of the former Soviet Union are trying to restore what has been lost
following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, but on a new,
contemporary basis. [Passage omitted]

[Putin] It is far easier to destroy than create. What seemed quite
obvious yesterday, today poses certain difficulties and problems. Using
the intellectual potential of our peoples and taking into account
current developments in the world, we realize that we can safeguard
ourselves from new threats and be competitive in the world of growing
competition only if we combine our efforts.

[Correspondent] Putin was studying the programme of the conference
as other presidents delivered their speeches. Some points of the
programme seemed strange to Putin.

[Putin] I have an impression that enemies of Nazarbayev’s ideas have
infiltrated the pool of organizers. Yes, yes, I’ll explain. There
is a section in the programme called Security of Eurasia. The main
topic for discussion is: “Geopolitical interests of external powers:
the USA, China, the EU, Japan and Russia”. [Laughter]

I understand that one can live according to the principle: “What do I
need geography for? I can take a cab.” However, all one needs to do
is to open a map and see where the Russian Federation is situated –
right in the middle of Eurasia.

Finally, there is the last thing I would like to draw your attention
to. There is a topic [for discussion]: “Conceptual problems of
integrated organizations’ activities”. These problems can be formulated
in a very brief and simple way in three or four sentences. What are
these problems? They are: imperialism, nationalism, personal ambitions
of those who take political decisions and stupidity. Just cave-man
stupidity. But we are clever people. Allow me to finish our today’s
discussion with an appeal: “Clever people of all countries, unite!”

[In a separate report, at 0355 gmt on 18 June, RIA news agency,
Moscow, in Russian, quoted Putin as saying the following: “Speaking
about the security of Eurasia, I think that the overwhelming majority
would agree that not only in Eurasia but worldwide this problem can
hardly be addressed without taking into account the role that Russia
plays in the contemporary world.”]