Political expert doubted Victoria Nuland’s ability to show Niger on map

There are doubts about the American leaders’ competence regarding the constitutional analysis of the Basic Law of Niger – as stated by political expert Aleksandr Shpakovsky, commenting on the visit of the US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, to Niger. In his talk with Alfa Radio, he also shared his view on why the US simply has no right to interfere in the situation in this African country, and what values it actually stands for.

The radio programme host drew attention to the statement of Ms. Nuland, in which she called the actions of the military who had seized power in Nigeria unconstitutional.

“My God, it also happens. Look who is talking! It is Victoria Nuland! Firstly, I have doubts about the American leaders’ competence regarding the constitutional analysis of the Basic Law of Niger. We remember perfectly well how Americans very often make mistakes even in the names of states, not to mention the attempts to send the US fleet to the shores of the Minsk Sea and other ideas born in the Department of State. I doubt that Victoria Nuland will show Niger on the map and name the capital of this state, not to mention that she has read the Constitution of this country," Mr. Shpakovsky stressed.

Ms. Nuland’s rhetoric looks strange even from the point of view of case law, which rules in the United States. The expert mentioned the situation in Ukraine as an example, “An unconstitutional coup was committed in this country. After the conclusion of agreements between the opposition and President Yanukovych, which assumed a certain sequence of actions to further resolve the political crisis, the protesters stormed the presidential residence, seized the authorities, and the Head of State was forced to flee. Incomprehensible murders occurred in the centre of Kiev, and they have not yet been investigated. The perpetrators have not been identified. Nevertheless, Victoria Nuland warmly welcomed the power established as a result of that unconstitutional coup, and the United States recognised it. The situation is different in Niger. Not protesters, but military took power. The President fled, and many officials are now forced to answer unpleasant questions. We remember the reaction of the Finance Minister to a simple question of where the money is: he started crying on the air.”

Mr. Shpakovsky added that, based on the above-mentioned facts, it is possible to assert that the United States is inconsistent in its assessments. “A people's liberation uprising happens when pro-American forces come to power by force. In turn, there is a coup and dictatorship if the forces in power do not correspond to the US interests and are not guided by Washington in carrying out their policy. In this case, any reaction is possible – including condemnation or military intervention to restore the order that corresponds to the ideas of the United States, which, as Victoria Nuland honestly said, stands for the unipolar world order, within which the country (or rather, its top officials) have been relatively safe and prosperous over the past decades,” the expert said.