Moscow: Russian state television has lashed
out against new US Ambassador Michael McFaul, questioning his
credentials and suggesting he arrived with an agenda to
support opposition leaders and promote revolution.
Russia's Channel One criticised McFaul's appointment in a
segment that aired last night, McFaul's second day on the job.
Channel One analyst Mikhail Leontev said "the fact is that
McFaul is not an expert on Russia."
He says "he is a specialist purely in the promotion of
democracy."
McFaul earlier met separately with opposition and civil
leaders. The meetings were his first official receptions at
the embassy.
McFaul is regarded as a leading expert on US relations
with Russia, and has been a key figure in the Obama
administration's initiative to "reset" relations.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 22:16