Soviet Putin at the "Red Army Memorial" in Vienna

[Christian Zulus]

Red Army Memorial in Vienna

Gentlemen,

President Putin visited - during his official visit to Vienna, Austria - the Red Army Memorial http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtop...st&p=175801 on the 24th of may 2007 in the city-center in Vienna.

Some photographic impressions ....

Press conference on the evening before:

Police doggy checking the wreath:

Putin marching to the monument (Austrian Army Guards Batallion in the background):

Putin with Mrs. Barbara Prammer, President of the Austrian Parliament:

Putin on his knees in front of the name of a very, very great person in history :

Best regards

Christian

BTW: Putin mentioned how well kept the Austrian Red Army Memorial is - in comparison to the disgraceful incidents in other EU-member-states . At the Red Army Memorial Putin met some Red Army Veterans for a small talk. Putin is a great fan of Austria - he speaks fluent German and his wife is a teacher for German language. As a KGB-officer, Putin did his duty in the DDR ... Before becoming President of RF, Putin wanted to buy a large estate with house in Austria, but at that time that had not been possible for him according to Austrian laws .

Edited May 25, 2007 by Christian Zulus

[Belaruski]

I do like the last one of him kneeling before the name of Stalin!

[Christian Zulus]

I do like the last one of him kneeling before the name of Stalin!

Yes, that's really great - and the photographer stood just in the right position .

I also like the pic with the doggy .

Best regards

Christian

[Ed_Haynes]

I also like the pic with the doggy .

Yes, but what IS the pup doing to the wreath???

[Christian Zulus]

Yes, but what IS the pup doing to the wreath???

Dear Ed,

the doggy tries to smell, if there is some polonium at the wreath .

No, just a joke .

In Austria everything, which deals with a "prominent" person, is checked by police dogs: All rooms, all gifts, all cars ... everything!

Such dogs are clever & wise .

Best regards

Christian

[Ed_Haynes]

Such dogs are clever & wise .

And all legs are on the ground. At least in THIS photo.

[Christian Zulus]

And all legs are on the ground. At least in THIS photo.

Sorry, Ed, I could only find that one photograph of the dog .

Best regards

Christian

[Belaruski]

Incidentaly it's nice to see a guard of honour still carrying rifles and wearing a smart uniform. Too many countries only seem to have combat gear and assault weapons for all purposes. Honour guards and parade uniforms should look official!

[Christian Zulus]

Incidentaly it's nice to see a guard of honour still carrying rifles and wearing a smart uniform. Too many countries only seem to have combat gear and assault weapons for all purposes. Honour guards and parade uniforms should look official!

The "Gardebatallion" is not only for representation, but is (almost) an elite force of the Austrian Army, specialisized in "Objektschutz" (defense & security of objects, i.e., buildings, etc.). That's the Wiki-entry of them (only German): http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardebataillon .

For representation they still use the very old and outdated FN FAL-rifle (last used at the Falklands by the British as L1 A1 http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/L1_A1 ): http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_FAL .

The young men at the Austrian "Gardebatallion" are well trained and have proper uniforms .

Best regards

Christian