Nearly every Russian knows this popular saying: fools observe no rules. By comparison, the highly experienced and qualified staff of the US State Department tends to act in accordance with a similar principle which originated in ancient Rome: what is legitimate for Jove, is not legitimate for oxen. Even though they are knowledgeable about foreign policy and fully aware of the fundamental principle of the international law that precludes meddling in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state, US government officials choose to ignore these well-known wisdoms and the fact that Russia is a great power and has as much political weight as American Jupiter.

Washington is dissatisfied with inspections of Russian organizations funded from abroad. In the opinion of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the US is de facto encouraging non-governmental and public organizations to breach the law.

Washington’s statement to this effect was released by US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland. Evidently, like any other woman, Mrs.Nuland uses a mirror. In this respect, what could be described as a “political mirror” would come in more than handy.

If Mrs.Nuland and her Washington colleagues looked into this “political mirror”, they would discover that the law on the registration of foreign businesses the Russian version of which has triggered her anger, has been in force in the US since 1938 and is observed to the letter.

The so-called “political mirror” would also reflect other breaches of democratic principles on the part of democratic-minded Washington. It’s hard to imagine what the US’ reaction would be if Moscow expressed ‘great concern’ about the fact that the names of nearly one million American residents, mainly Spanish speakers or Afro-Americans, were not included in the voter lists during the recent presidential elections in the United States.

America’s 39th President Jimmy Carter expressed a particular concern about racism, or poorly concealed Negrophobia, which had been gaining momentum in the US at an alarmingly fast rate. There are also other, equally important reasons for sounding the alarm in connection with democracy as presented by the US.

However, there would be nothing disturbing about Washington goodies reserving the right to preach to others, if these so-called ‘teachings’ remained within the boundaries of the US and did not challenge the basics of the international law.

Given the situation, the US should remember that this kind of behavior won’t wash with Russia.