Reply #111: Full interview in russian and english (google auto translate)

[SergeyDovlatov]

in Russian: http://www.government.ru/content/governmentactivity/mainnews/archive/2008/08/28/582087.htm

google auto-translate:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.government.ru%2Fcontent%2Fgovernmentactivity%2Fmainnews%2Farchive%2F2008%2F08%2F28%2F582087.htm&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=ru&tl=en

translation of the interesting bit.

Putin: We have indications that there were American citizens directly in the combat zone. If that information is confirmed it is very bad.

It may indicate that these events have certain domestic political dimensions.

If my guesses are confirmed, then it raises suspicions that someone in the United States specially created this conflict in order to exacerbate the situation and create an advantage in competition for one of the candidates in the fight for the post of President of the United States. And if so, this is nothing as the use of so-called administrative resources in the internal political struggle, in the worst bloody dimension.

M. CHANS: But there is a serious allegation. I want to clarify, you believe that any person in the United States, actually provoked this conflict to any of the presidential candidates received a winning position in terms of the debate, points earned.

V. PUTIN: I will now explain.

M. CHANS: And if you really express such an assumption, what you have proof?

V. PUTIN: I told you that if confirmed the presence of American citizens in the combat zone, which means only one thing - that they could stay there only by explicit direction of its leadership. And if so, then in the combat zone are American citizens, performing their official duty. They can do so only on the orders of his superiors, not on their own initiative.

Simple specialists, even if they teach military affairs, should do so not in the combat zone, and the training areas, in training centres.

Again, this requires additional confirmation yet. I tell you this with the words of our military. Of course, I have yet seek additional material.

Why are you surprised by my suggestion, I do not understand? Problems in the Middle East, reconciliation not achieved. Afghanistan does not become better. Moreover, the Taliban moved in the autumn offensive, killing dozens of NATO soldiers.

In Iraq, after the euphoria of early victories, there are many problems, and the number of victims has reached over 4 thousand.

The economy problems, we know that well. Financial problems. Mortgage crisis. We are very concerned for this and want it ended quickly, but it is.

So a small victorious war is needed. And if you do not succeed, it is possible to shift the blame on us, make us an image of the enemy and against the backdrop of such a "hurrah-patriotism" again unite the country around certain political forces.

I am surprised that you are surprised what I say. This lies on the surface.