XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX TUES NOV 12, 2002 18:31:59 ET XXXXX

PUTIN GOES WILD: TELLS ISLAMIC RADICALS TO COME TO MOSCOW FOR CIRCUMCISION , 'NOTHING ON YOU WILL GROW AGAIN'

Russia's media expressed shock over a remark by President Vladimir Putin at the Russia-EU summit in which he urged Islamic radicals to come to Moscow for special circumcision!

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A reporter for LE MONDE asked whether the Russian military's use of land mines in Chechnya was killing innocent civilians as well as Islamic terrorists.

"If you are a Christian, you are in danger," Putin charged. "If you decide to become a Muslim, this won't save you either, because they think that traditional Islam is also hostile to their goals."

Putin continued: "If you are determined to become a complete Islamic radical and are ready to undergo circumcision, then I invite you to Moscow. We are multi-confessional. We have experts in this sphere as well. I will recommend to conduct the operation so that nothing on you will grow again."

Kremlin aides later explained that Putin was both "exhausted" and "sick and tired of Chechnya."

The comments did not appear on the Kremlin's Web site, which carried an otherwise complete text of the news conference.

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I think old Vlad might just be OK!

Funny how his war against Islamic extremists is different from ours when Saddam owes Russia billions of dollars. Still yet, its damn cool to see a leader stand up and speak his mind without worrying about who he's offending. I'd be willing to bet he won't be on the EU's Christmas list this year for that little outburst.