September 2, 2009 By Citizen M

RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – September 2, 2009

PH2009090101100.jpgTODAY: Poles riled by Russia’s take on war; conciliation comes with recrimination; Beslan families still seeking justice; Lavrov advises against freezing Iran out; Bagapsh verbal attack on Georgian ships; Gazprom tower causing friction. Tropical fish.

The Guardian reports on the historiographical clashes between Russia and Poland over World War Two.  Polish Premier Donald Tusk has said of Russian troops: ‘They gave their lives for liberation, but they didn’t bring us freedom. But we honor them too, and care for their graves’.  Whilst the Polish media is apparently in a frenzy of criticism at Russia’s response, the two heads of state are not allowing the issues to overwhelm the commemorations.  A piece by Anita Prazmowska explains why Poles may find Putin’s approach inadequate.   ‘The Poles had hoped for candor from Russia on this day of all days; instead they got historical relativism’, says the Times, referring to Putin’s comment, ‘a huge number of mistakes were made by all sides.  No Russian grovelling over Katyn; the Poles will have to make do with a joint commission to investigate the tragedy. The foreign intelligence service has released documents that it claims show that Poland plotted to destroy the Soviet Union.  The Telegraph considers why Putin’s speech is likely to chime with Russian citizens.

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