Bill Clinton, Putin Meet At Davos For Vodka, Intense Talks

Bill Clinton's latest title is husband of America's new secretary of state, but that has not stopped him from flexing his own diplomatic muscles while in Davos this week. The New York Observer's Joe Conason reports that Bill's moves at the World Economic Forum -- including a long talk with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin -- reveal that the former president will "continue to be an active figure on the international stage."

Upon arriving here on Wednesday afternoon, he conducted a series of quiet meetings with foreign leaders that culminated in an intense late-night discussion with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The two former presidents met at a Sheraton hotel where Putin held a private party, following an early evening reception at a local museum hosted by Clinton.

Putin greeted Clinton cordially as "our good friend" as they raised glasses of vodka and then listened to a pianist pound out "In the Hall of the Mountain King." When the musical entertainment concluded, they moved to a table in a separate room with access strictly controlled by Secret Service and Russian security agents. Flanked by aides and an interpreter, the two men talked for nearly 90 minutes before they rose and walked out together for a few pictures with partygoers and members of Clinton's entourage.

Clinton also poked fun at Putin's comments implying he supports free markets, reports the AP.

"This is the first I've heard of Prime Minister Putin coming out for free enterprise," Clinton told an audience at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, a day after the Russian leader warned that too much government involvement in the economy could be "dangerous" and cautioned against "blind faith in the state's omnipotence."

Putin has often been criticized for exerting state control over Russia's key industries such as oil and gas.

Clinton joked: "I hope it works for him."

Check out this AP video on Clinton's remarks at the forum:

Comments

[partyofone]

HIllary, your ONLY responsibility as SoS is to keep Bill out of trouble. Are you doing that?

The foreign policy team of Joe Biden, Susan Rice, Samantha Power, Jim Jones and Robert Gates have everything else under control.

[freshnotbitter]

Memo to the guy who organizes Davos:


We actually have ex Presidents who are concerned about the welfare of the planet. Jimmy Carter?

So why are we inviting Bill Clinton and I don't see Carter anywhere in sight. Is it because Davos is a sleazy scam?

[partyofone]

I'm surprised there was room for Bill Clinton's ego in Davos.

[marymansour]

Bill Clinton has always had a way with the Russian leaders. I found this Clinton and Boris Yelstin clip that I still enjoy. Remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQULzrgC3dg

[exmate]

I am sure that Putin was struck with the contrast between a dysfunctional misfit like GW Bush and a real President.

[partyofone]

Did Bill offer to find Putin a date?

[wakupmagy]

If Mr. Clinton had spent the last ten years since leaving office making significant contributions to our national or foreign policy, that would be admirable,

Instead--using a cliched old magician's trick--he waves his right hand around charitable works in Africa or Asia, hoping no one will watch his left hand enriching himself and his family.

You have to ask yourself--why were those people willing to pay him so much money? They didn't look stupid. Must have been sure their money was well spent.

[HallStyle]

Hey I don't fault the man for trying to make some money. There is nothing unethical about that. He is still a very popular man around the world and he is just taking advantage of that.

He still has a very important job of helping President Barack Obama improve our image around the world. Never underestimate Bill Clinton. He may be setting himself up to head the UN. That would be a position that would suit him ver well.

http://www.hallstyle.blogspot.com

[DougNTexas]

Hell at least he wasn't getting 1.4 Billion handed to him from the Saudies and last seen holding the kings hand.

[partyofone]

There is noting unethical about selling your influence as a former president to high bidding shady international business interests at odds with US policy that your wife now manages?

Sounds like you share the elastic Clinton definition of ethics: Whatever is good for me.

[illuminutty]

I'M SURE HE DIDNT MAKE,ER STEAL AS MUCH MONEY THAN BUSH AND CHENEY, WHILE THEY WERE IN OFFICE. HAVE SOME MORE KOOLAID.

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

how true. How much did Halliburton / KBR / Big Oil and all the other companies profit off of no bid gov't contracts and artificially high oil under Schrub anyway?

[partyofone]

The only defense ever mounted by Cliinton loyalists for shady dealings is "they aren't as bad as George Bush." But actually, the Bushes and the Clintons are the same, with the small irrelevent difference of party affiliation, sometimes.

[jtmoney]

If Mr. Clinton had spent the last ten years since leaving office making significant contributions to our national or foreign policy, that would be admirable,
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in the last 10 years bill clinton has done more for AIDS research and treatment in 3rd world countries then anybody in the world with his William Jefferson Foundation, not to mention doing so much to address poverty and ethnic conflict around the globe. you're right, there is nothing admirable to that at all.

[partyofone]

Is it true that in the 8 years Bill Clinton has made himself a mega-millionaire, using the Clinton Foundation and Global Initative as front for shady business deals?

Is it true some of that wealth has come from selling his influence to international business interests at odds with US policy, now administered by his WIFE?

Is it true that after de-regulating the banking industry, Bill has collected millions from grateful beneficiaries in the form of huge "speaking and consulting fees" (wink wink)?

The Clintons serve the Clintons, and it never changes.

[dgscol]

Putin is probably hoping that the US will bailout the Russian bank - thus helping to destroy the US financial system.

[thirteen13]

Bush and company have already destroyed our financial system.

[partyofone]

Bush AND Clinton. Bill Clinton signed the legistation that de-regulated the banking industry and opened the door to the abuses that collapsed Wall Street. Clinton, Robert Rubin and Larry Summers helped create this mess.

[vippy]

Putin is a smart guy, he does not get pushed around, he does not buy our whitewashing either,
and I am sure he had an interesting exchange of events with Bill. At least Putin is still in charge.

[hopefulinflorida]

Putin is not considered smart at all, but, he is a ruthless killer, a small man and control freak

[jtmoney]

he is also a black belt in judo.

[janmarie]

I love how the Turkey PM stormed out over Israel's attack on Gaza and so did the Turkish citizens!

[hopefulinflorida]

I know what you mean, however, the Israelis will just label him a Muslim hothead. He should have stayed and spoken. Storming out doesn't solve anything.

[illuminutty]

AND STORMING IN INTO LEBANON AND GAZA DIDNT HELP EITHER

[piper1233]

Bill Clinton has no Official roll in US politics at this time, this fact should be explained to Putin or any other who believe that conversing with him will affect any US Policies. He can only be a destructive force to this administration.

[jtmoney]

no official role, but hillary was picked with slick tagging along as a part of the package. with hillary, we got a 2 for 1 clinton special. he's not even on the payroll!

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

Sometimes "no official role" is a good thing. The US can't be held to anything he promises, but he can certainly open up talks, pick putin's mind, and find out the best way to solve a problem.

This is good....

[partyofone]

Someone needs to tell Bill Clinton to cool it. Hillary, are you there?

[LogicCircuit]

Bill should ask Putin what is he going to do about the latest murders of an investigative journalist and a human rights lawyer in Moscow

http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,604503,00.html

[windypaperboy]

Dennis Ross is the first chairman of a new JerusaIem based think tank, the Jevvish People Policy Planning Institute, funded and founded by the Jevvish Agency. (Source Wikipedia) How can he be a US special envoy to the Middle East?

[whoknew---]

There is always a chance for diplomacy with vodka and a little dialogue

Hopeful this smoothes the way for a better climate between both countries

Better for all concerned....

[eminent]

Amen, and if I may, Bill at his best, throw in plenty of mutual interest and Hillary should do fine with Russia.

[sidehide]

vodka erases all hard feelings......and memory lol

[The 13 Colonies]

There was a report that they got into an arm wrestling contest. Guess who won !

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

Let me guess..... was it that Russian guy who looks like the new James Bond?

[dansama]

I hope Bill cleared his remarks with the Secretary of State.

[thecanadian]

So the first we hear about a Clinton on the International stage is BILL C? Behind closed doors?

[americanalien]

I like both men. They are giants in their own right.

[jtmoney]

putin is a cold war relic, and has consolidated power beyond even what george bush has. he is ruthless, calculating, and there is not much really to like about him.