http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/04/world/europe/04cnd-cheney.html?ei=5094&en=1e7fdfa4e67a8219&hp=&ex=1146801600&partner=homepage&pagewanted=printMr. Cheney said in his speech that "in Russia today,
opponents of reform are seeking to
reverse the gains of the last decade."
He said that the
erosion of rights by the government affected "many areas of civil society — from religion and the news media, to advocacy groups and political parties."
"No legitimate purpose is served," Mr. Cheney said, to the
use of oil and gas as foreign policy weapons, a reference to Russia's decision earlier this year to shut down the natural gas pipelines running through the Ukraine in a dispute over a price increase.
He also criticized "
actions that undermine the territorial integrity of a neighbor, or interfere with democratic movements." Officials in Georgia have complained that Moscow has sided with rebels there, and Mr. Putin last year complained stridently when Ukranian protests over election fraud led to the ouster of a close ally.
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