Putin's harsh speech is seen as falling flat in Europe

Putin's harsh speech is seen as falling flat in Europe
Despite rift, leaders unswayed by speech

[link to www.iht.com]

"The reason is that Putin's true colors were revealed," said Marek Ostrowski, a Polish foreign policy expert. "We Poles are used to Russia trying to split the European allies and the trans-Atlantic relationship. But this time around everyone could sense his arrogance — which is why he provoked little sympathy."

If anything, Putin's speech last weekend to the Munich Security Conference, in which he attacked the Bush administration's foreign policy and its unwillingness to treat Russia as an equal partner, hardened the resolve of the Czech government. It said it would press ahead with plans to base the radar component of a missile-defense system on its territory.

Even though Germany, France and Spain oppose the Bush administration's plans to base elements of the anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, Putin has received no public support for his sharp condemnation.