Russia says Iran election was "an exercise in democracy"TRIESTE, Italy, June 25 (Reuters) - Group of Eight powers were divided on how to respond to Iran's disputed election on Thursday, with hosts Italy pushing for a strong condemnation of violence and Russia calling the vote "an exercise in democracy".Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made clear that Russia was not prepared to sign up to a G8 statement condemning Iran's handling of the election.
"No one is willing to condemn the election process, because it's an exercise in democracy," Lavrov told reporters.
Russia is one of six powers that have been trying to solve a long-running dispute with Iran over its nuclear programme.
RUSSIA SAYS ENGAGEMENT IS KEY
"We agreed that we will develop a language which would allow us to concentrate on the main task -- to move toward resolving the issues of the Iranian nuclear programme...," Lavrov said after separate talks with Frattini.
"Isolation is the wrong approach ... Engagement is the key word," he said.
With who?
It would be a gross understatement to say the Russkies are enabling these genocidal murderers