Can anyone who speaks Russian help me with Putin's comments on Moshe Katsav's rape case?

Question

For anyone who speaks Russian and has heard or read Vladimir Putin's original remarks regarding Israeli President Moshe Katsav's ongoing rape investigation. I was sickened by what I read in English translation:

"What a mighty man he turns out to be! He raped 10 women - I would never have expected this from him. He surprised us all - we all envy him!"

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov admitted: "Yes really, these words were pronounced."

However, he claimed that Russian was a very subtle language and the remarks were misinterpreted...

I find the possibility of hidden subtlety here difficult to understand. Does anyone know what Putin actually said in Russian, and do you think it really is as innocent as the Kremlin spokesman claimed?

Link to full story on the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6069136.stm

Answer 1

I am surprised too, because speeches of Putin are usually very well weighted. An article in Russian sais that this info based on The Jerusalem Post - "inexpected moment of meeting between Putin and Olmert" on Thursday, which put Olmert to an unpleasant situation and Olmert replied that "it is better to do not envy now": http://www.newsru.com/russia/19oct2006/olmert.html

If to think about family of Mr. Putin, a first question, which comes to the mind: What did he eat this day before the meeting?

On the other hand, Putin became "famous" already due to one phrase some time ago, when he employed very rude slang, used by criminal prisoners usually, when talking about alleged terrorists: "Мочить в сортире" (to kill in WC).

So maybe such things happen with him sometimes because of some "systemic failure".

I am also surprised that this info did not reach Lithuanian media, which are quite often anti-Russian and use even not checked reports to describe Russia and its policy as negative things. That is even more strange for me than citation of Putin itself.

Maybe a key could be the fact that these words were not said secretely, but Putin STARTED WITH THEM the meeting, which was planned for discussion of such issues as:
1) Iran nuclear programme
2) Russian weapons/guns in the hands of Hizbollah.
This introduction could be a kind of psychological pressure for Israel side... To ensure a stronger position at any expense would be very according to Putin, I think.

That could explain why Lithuanian media did not make reclame for words of Putin, it would be easy for Lithuanians to find details of the meeting in Russian websites. I think many people morally do not support Israel, especially after war in Lebanon. But an official position of Lithuania, as a member of NATO, is quite pro-USA, what is understood by local politicians usually as a blind support for Mr. Bush. So this effort of Putin to put Israel into a "proper" place could make him more popular in Lithuania, despite a very dirty phrasing of "joke".

Answer 2

Israeli courts, especially its High Court, is the last thing in Israel that deserves respect. Let´sputit clear: there was not any rape. I am very suspicious when all of a sudden all the media start to form the public opinion against someone - or in favur of someone. So, amidst the public outcry of "crucify the dirty rapist Kazav", I read the materials of the sessions of the court, including those the media prefered not to publish ( but to get them does not consitute any problem for anyone). "Alef" changed her testimonials various times and finally admitted that there was no rape and that actually, she agreed to have sex because she thought this would help her in her professional carrier. "Alef" blackmailed Kazav, demanding of him a big amount of money for silence. When he refused, she sued him. Is this what you would call the behaviour of the innocent victim of the rape? All the episodes happened in the 90s. How can any court prove a rape that happened 15 years ago? "Alef" said she was raped twice. First time it happened in the office. And the second time it happened when Kazav invited her to come to the hotel in Jerusalem where he rented a suite. She says that when Kazav opened the door, he had no pants on. What would any woman, especially a woman who was already raped once by this same man, do? Correct, she would turn - and walk away. What did "Alef" do? She nicely smiled, entered the room, went to the bed - and calmly sat on it. And she stayed there for at least two hours without ever trying to sream or call for help. The court dismissed all these - and many more- facts, it also dismissed the statement by the General Prosecutor who said the testimonials by "Alef" do not deserve any credibility. The court made the sentence to please some very influential figures in Israel, first of all - the biggest s.o.b. among the Israeli politicians- Shimon Peres, famous in Israel over his "girls" but immune to any prosecution. Is this something for which you offer me to respect Israeli court? Kazav used his position to have sex with a nice and pretty woman. And this woman used her beauty and youth to make her carrier. Kazav is not an angel? I agree, he is not. And "Alef" is a saint. Edit: Short and sweet, there were - all of a sudden- other women accusing Kazav. But not a single one accused him of rape. Invitations to have a supper, casual embraces...yes. But- that is all. Let´s send to jail for 7 years any man who invites a girl to have a supper or pats a girl below the waist?