June 14, 2007 — Contents

THURSDAY JUNE 14 CONTENTS

(1) Russia: The Ultimate No-Win Proposition

(2) Uranium: Russia’s Energy Achilles Heel

(3) Annals of Russian Insanity

(4) Latynina on Russian Racism

(5) Annals of the Neo-Soviet Internet Crackdown

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

It’s not Called "Russian" Roulette for Nothing: Russia is the Ultimate No-Win Proposition

An editorial in the Financial Times spells out the risks of foreigners doing business in Russia. When considered, these risks make it clear that nobody should do so, and anyone who does richly deserves the suffering she/he receives. First, the Russian government may simply steal your investment. Ask Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Second, your investment may be eaten up by Russian corruption. Third, you may be killed either because you pose a threat to the Kremlin directly or to some organized criminal cartel within its ambit or opposed to it. Fourth, even if you somehow avoid all these perils, the Russian economy is based on smoke and mirrors (it’s a giant Enron) and may collapse at any time. Finally, even if none of that happens, you will face increasing political attacks from your own government abroad as Russia speedily becomes a loathed international pariah very similar to the position South Africa used to occupy. Your reputation will be tainted as both a supporter human rights atrocities and one who does business by means of corruption (the only way to succeed in Russia).

Now, foreign investor, La Russophobe dares to ask you: Is it worth it?

Some 6,000 delegates attended the St Petersburg economic forum in Russia last weekend, including more than 100 chief executives of leading global companies. It was an impressive demonstration of international interest in the Russian economy. It was also, in the words of one Russian participant, distinctly reminiscent of a Communist party congress, where the only speakers were chosen by the ruling bureaucracy.

The occasion underlined the growing divide between international investors in Russia, who are making excellent returns, and western politicians, who are increasingly concerned at the authoritarian drift in the Kremlin. The businessmen used the St Petersburg forum to heap praises on Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. Some criticised Tony Blair, the British prime minister, for warning of the political risks to future investment. Instead, they should have used the occasion to spell out a few home truths themselves.

In Russia today, the rule of law remains erratic, the courts are corrupt, and property ownership can seldom be guaranteed. Moreover, in an autocratic society – even if it is politely called a “managed democracy” – decision-making is much less predictable than in an open democratic society.

Anyone who does business in Russia must do so with their eyes open. They must recognise that politics, as much as economics, dictates the commercial climate. It is whom you know, as much as what you know, that is the key to success. That means the risks are greater, but so are the rewards. Anything to do with the state, or oil and gas and raw materials, carries the greatest risk of interference or expropriation. Those are the sectors that Mr Putin wishes to control. Others, such as telecommunications, are not level playing fields. The car market is the latest to see renewed state intervention, with Rosoboroneksport, the arms manufacturer, taking control of Lada.

Doing business in Russia also carries a reputational risk: international accountancy firms are finding to their peril that local operations come under enormous political pressure to cut corners.

Of course Russia has changed, beyond all recognition, from the dreadful old world of state controls and five-year plans. But it has yet to decide what sort of capitalism it is going to adopt. Anyone doing business there would do well to remember the words of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin: “A capitalist is someone who sells you the rope with which you hang him.” They have not been entirely forgotten in Moscow.

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

It’s not Called "Russian" Roulette for Nothing: Russia is the Ultimate No-Win Proposition

An editorial in the Financial Times spells out the risks of foreigners doing business in Russia. When considered, these risks make it clear that nobody should do so, and anyone who does richly deserves the suffering she/he receives. First, the Russian government may simply steal your investment. Ask Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Second, your investment may be eaten up by Russian corruption. Third, you may be killed either because you pose a threat to the Kremlin directly or to some organized criminal cartel within its ambit or opposed to it. Fourth, even if you somehow avoid all these perils, the Russian economy is based on smoke and mirrors (it’s a giant Enron) and may collapse at any time. Finally, even if none of that happens, you will face increasing political attacks from your own government abroad as Russia speedily becomes a loathed international pariah very similar to the position South Africa used to occupy. Your reputation will be tainted as both a supporter human rights atrocities and one who does business by means of corruption (the only way to succeed in Russia).

Now, foreign investor, La Russophobe dares to ask you: Is it worth it?

Some 6,000 delegates attended the St Petersburg economic forum in Russia last weekend, including more than 100 chief executives of leading global companies. It was an impressive demonstration of international interest in the Russian economy. It was also, in the words of one Russian participant, distinctly reminiscent of a Communist party congress, where the only speakers were chosen by the ruling bureaucracy.

The occasion underlined the growing divide between international investors in Russia, who are making excellent returns, and western politicians, who are increasingly concerned at the authoritarian drift in the Kremlin. The businessmen used the St Petersburg forum to heap praises on Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. Some criticised Tony Blair, the British prime minister, for warning of the political risks to future investment. Instead, they should have used the occasion to spell out a few home truths themselves.

In Russia today, the rule of law remains erratic, the courts are corrupt, and property ownership can seldom be guaranteed. Moreover, in an autocratic society – even if it is politely called a “managed democracy” – decision-making is much less predictable than in an open democratic society.

Anyone who does business in Russia must do so with their eyes open. They must recognise that politics, as much as economics, dictates the commercial climate. It is whom you know, as much as what you know, that is the key to success. That means the risks are greater, but so are the rewards. Anything to do with the state, or oil and gas and raw materials, carries the greatest risk of interference or expropriation. Those are the sectors that Mr Putin wishes to control. Others, such as telecommunications, are not level playing fields. The car market is the latest to see renewed state intervention, with Rosoboroneksport, the arms manufacturer, taking control of Lada.

Doing business in Russia also carries a reputational risk: international accountancy firms are finding to their peril that local operations come under enormous political pressure to cut corners.

Of course Russia has changed, beyond all recognition, from the dreadful old world of state controls and five-year plans. But it has yet to decide what sort of capitalism it is going to adopt. Anyone doing business there would do well to remember the words of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin: “A capitalist is someone who sells you the rope with which you hang him.” They have not been entirely forgotten in Moscow.

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

It’s not Called "Russian" Roulette for Nothing: Russia is the Ultimate No-Win Proposition

An editorial in the Financial Times spells out the risks of foreigners doing business in Russia. When considered, these risks make it clear that nobody should do so, and anyone who does richly deserves the suffering she/he receives. First, the Russian government may simply steal your investment. Ask Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Second, your investment may be eaten up by Russian corruption. Third, you may be killed either because you pose a threat to the Kremlin directly or to some organized criminal cartel within its ambit or opposed to it. Fourth, even if you somehow avoid all these perils, the Russian economy is based on smoke and mirrors (it’s a giant Enron) and may collapse at any time. Finally, even if none of that happens, you will face increasing political attacks from your own government abroad as Russia speedily becomes a loathed international pariah very similar to the position South Africa used to occupy. Your reputation will be tainted as both a supporter human rights atrocities and one who does business by means of corruption (the only way to succeed in Russia).

Now, foreign investor, La Russophobe dares to ask you: Is it worth it?

Some 6,000 delegates attended the St Petersburg economic forum in Russia last weekend, including more than 100 chief executives of leading global companies. It was an impressive demonstration of international interest in the Russian economy. It was also, in the words of one Russian participant, distinctly reminiscent of a Communist party congress, where the only speakers were chosen by the ruling bureaucracy.

The occasion underlined the growing divide between international investors in Russia, who are making excellent returns, and western politicians, who are increasingly concerned at the authoritarian drift in the Kremlin. The businessmen used the St Petersburg forum to heap praises on Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. Some criticised Tony Blair, the British prime minister, for warning of the political risks to future investment. Instead, they should have used the occasion to spell out a few home truths themselves.

In Russia today, the rule of law remains erratic, the courts are corrupt, and property ownership can seldom be guaranteed. Moreover, in an autocratic society – even if it is politely called a “managed democracy” – decision-making is much less predictable than in an open democratic society.

Anyone who does business in Russia must do so with their eyes open. They must recognise that politics, as much as economics, dictates the commercial climate. It is whom you know, as much as what you know, that is the key to success. That means the risks are greater, but so are the rewards. Anything to do with the state, or oil and gas and raw materials, carries the greatest risk of interference or expropriation. Those are the sectors that Mr Putin wishes to control. Others, such as telecommunications, are not level playing fields. The car market is the latest to see renewed state intervention, with Rosoboroneksport, the arms manufacturer, taking control of Lada.

Doing business in Russia also carries a reputational risk: international accountancy firms are finding to their peril that local operations come under enormous political pressure to cut corners.

Of course Russia has changed, beyond all recognition, from the dreadful old world of state controls and five-year plans. But it has yet to decide what sort of capitalism it is going to adopt. Anyone doing business there would do well to remember the words of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin: “A capitalist is someone who sells you the rope with which you hang him.” They have not been entirely forgotten in Moscow.

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

It’s not Called "Russian" Roulette for Nothing: Russia is the Ultimate No-Win Proposition

An editorial in the Financial Times spells out the risks of foreigners doing business in Russia. When considered, these risks make it clear that nobody should do so, and anyone who does richly deserves the suffering she/he receives. First, the Russian government may simply steal your investment. Ask Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Second, your investment may be eaten up by Russian corruption. Third, you may be killed either because you pose a threat to the Kremlin directly or to some organized criminal cartel within its ambit or opposed to it. Fourth, even if you somehow avoid all these perils, the Russian economy is based on smoke and mirrors (it’s a giant Enron) and may collapse at any time. Finally, even if none of that happens, you will face increasing political attacks from your own government abroad as Russia speedily becomes a loathed international pariah very similar to the position South Africa used to occupy. Your reputation will be tainted as both a supporter human rights atrocities and one who does business by means of corruption (the only way to succeed in Russia).

Now, foreign investor, La Russophobe dares to ask you: Is it worth it?

Some 6,000 delegates attended the St Petersburg economic forum in Russia last weekend, including more than 100 chief executives of leading global companies. It was an impressive demonstration of international interest in the Russian economy. It was also, in the words of one Russian participant, distinctly reminiscent of a Communist party congress, where the only speakers were chosen by the ruling bureaucracy.

The occasion underlined the growing divide between international investors in Russia, who are making excellent returns, and western politicians, who are increasingly concerned at the authoritarian drift in the Kremlin. The businessmen used the St Petersburg forum to heap praises on Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. Some criticised Tony Blair, the British prime minister, for warning of the political risks to future investment. Instead, they should have used the occasion to spell out a few home truths themselves.

In Russia today, the rule of law remains erratic, the courts are corrupt, and property ownership can seldom be guaranteed. Moreover, in an autocratic society – even if it is politely called a “managed democracy” – decision-making is much less predictable than in an open democratic society.

Anyone who does business in Russia must do so with their eyes open. They must recognise that politics, as much as economics, dictates the commercial climate. It is whom you know, as much as what you know, that is the key to success. That means the risks are greater, but so are the rewards. Anything to do with the state, or oil and gas and raw materials, carries the greatest risk of interference or expropriation. Those are the sectors that Mr Putin wishes to control. Others, such as telecommunications, are not level playing fields. The car market is the latest to see renewed state intervention, with Rosoboroneksport, the arms manufacturer, taking control of Lada.

Doing business in Russia also carries a reputational risk: international accountancy firms are finding to their peril that local operations come under enormous political pressure to cut corners.

Of course Russia has changed, beyond all recognition, from the dreadful old world of state controls and five-year plans. But it has yet to decide what sort of capitalism it is going to adopt. Anyone doing business there would do well to remember the words of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin: “A capitalist is someone who sells you the rope with which you hang him.” They have not been entirely forgotten in Moscow.

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

It’s not Called "Russian" Roulette for Nothing: Russia is the Ultimate No-Win Proposition

An editorial in the Financial Times spells out the risks of foreigners doing business in Russia. When considered, these risks make it clear that nobody should do so, and anyone who does richly deserves the suffering she/he receives. First, the Russian government may simply steal your investment. Ask Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Second, your investment may be eaten up by Russian corruption. Third, you may be killed either because you pose a threat to the Kremlin directly or to some organized criminal cartel within its ambit or opposed to it. Fourth, even if you somehow avoid all these perils, the Russian economy is based on smoke and mirrors (it’s a giant Enron) and may collapse at any time. Finally, even if none of that happens, you will face increasing political attacks from your own government abroad as Russia speedily becomes a loathed international pariah very similar to the position South Africa used to occupy. Your reputation will be tainted as both a supporter human rights atrocities and one who does business by means of corruption (the only way to succeed in Russia).

Now, foreign investor, La Russophobe dares to ask you: Is it worth it?

Some 6,000 delegates attended the St Petersburg economic forum in Russia last weekend, including more than 100 chief executives of leading global companies. It was an impressive demonstration of international interest in the Russian economy. It was also, in the words of one Russian participant, distinctly reminiscent of a Communist party congress, where the only speakers were chosen by the ruling bureaucracy.

The occasion underlined the growing divide between international investors in Russia, who are making excellent returns, and western politicians, who are increasingly concerned at the authoritarian drift in the Kremlin. The businessmen used the St Petersburg forum to heap praises on Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. Some criticised Tony Blair, the British prime minister, for warning of the political risks to future investment. Instead, they should have used the occasion to spell out a few home truths themselves.

In Russia today, the rule of law remains erratic, the courts are corrupt, and property ownership can seldom be guaranteed. Moreover, in an autocratic society – even if it is politely called a “managed democracy” – decision-making is much less predictable than in an open democratic society.

Anyone who does business in Russia must do so with their eyes open. They must recognise that politics, as much as economics, dictates the commercial climate. It is whom you know, as much as what you know, that is the key to success. That means the risks are greater, but so are the rewards. Anything to do with the state, or oil and gas and raw materials, carries the greatest risk of interference or expropriation. Those are the sectors that Mr Putin wishes to control. Others, such as telecommunications, are not level playing fields. The car market is the latest to see renewed state intervention, with Rosoboroneksport, the arms manufacturer, taking control of Lada.

Doing business in Russia also carries a reputational risk: international accountancy firms are finding to their peril that local operations come under enormous political pressure to cut corners.

Of course Russia has changed, beyond all recognition, from the dreadful old world of state controls and five-year plans. But it has yet to decide what sort of capitalism it is going to adopt. Anyone doing business there would do well to remember the words of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin: “A capitalist is someone who sells you the rope with which you hang him.” They have not been entirely forgotten in Moscow.

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

Uranium: Russia’s Achilles Heel

Two items from the blogosphere document Russia’s Achilles Heel on energy: Uranium, to fuel its vital nuclear power plants. Siberian Light reports:

Russia doesn’t mine anywhere near enough uranium to fuel all its nuclear reactors (military or civilian) or to cover the massive amount of uranium it has agreed to export to other countries.

Take a look at these numbers from 2000:

• 3,260 tonnes: Uranium mined in Russia
• 8,000 tonnes: Uranium used in Russian reactors
• 16,000 tonnes: Uranium exported abroad

Although production is on the increase, Russia used or exported seven times as much uranium as it was able to produce in 2000. The only way that Russia can fuel its nuclear reactors, and meet its export obligations is to dip into its steadily diminishing stockpile of uranium, which currently stands at around a half a million tonnes. At the current rate of depletion, Russia’s uranium stockpile will be gone entirely in little more than 20 years.

Taking the baton, the Russia blogosphere’s most prominent member Robert Amsterdam has been quick to pressure the Australians to do the right thing as they are pressed to fill Russia’s shortfall, as National Nine News reports:

An international human rights lawyer is calling on the Australian government to impose strict conditions on a new uranium deal with Russia and condemn the country’s human rights abuses. Canadian lawyer Robert Amsterdam is in Australia to hold talks with government officials about their role in dealing with what he says is the departure from the rule of law in Russia. Mr Amsterdam is defence lawyer for one of the world’s highest-profile political prisoners, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former chief executive of Russian oil giant Yukos. Mr Amsterdam said Mr Khodorkovsky has been jailed because of his vocal opposition to the President Vladimir Putin’s regime and his support for pro-democracy parties and organisations. Since his arrest by the secret police and deportation in 2005, on the last day of his client’s appeal, Mr Amsterdam has set out to inform the world about the actions of the Russian government, which he says is rapidly moving towards authoritarianism.

“One of the things I swore to myself when I was being deported was not to remain silent about not only the trial that I had been (involved) with but what I had witnessed,” Mr Amsterdam told AAP. He said that included colleagues jailed, murdered and disbarred, and his clients’ illegal incarceration and stabbing because of their opposition to the Russian regime.

Mr Amsterdam said Australia had a role to play in addressing the situation in Russia, including ensuring that a new uranium deal with Russia was tied to a condition of improving democracy. In April, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer revealed the government may expand its uranium deal with Russia, allowing Australian producers to supply Russia’s nuclear power industry. “In respect of the uranium deal (Australia should impose) conditionality, in other words, making sure that the Kremlin’s control of this uranium is conditional on an improvement of the democratic situation in Russia,” Mr Amsterdam said. Mr Amsterdam said public condemnation of Russia’s behaviour by the federal government would also help. “Even the simple pronouncement of what’s going on in Russia by responsible members of the government dramatically helps the situation in Russia,” he said. “It is the silence of the west and the complicity of some of our business community … that is to some significant extent also complicit in what’s going on in Russia today.” He said Australia should care about the actions of the Russian government because Russia is a major nuclear power, and it’s one of Australia’s only resources and commodities competitors.

On top of that, he said, Australia has an obligation as a signatory to the UN charter on civil and political rights. “Mr Putin will be coming to the APEC meeting and I think it’s important for people to understand that Russia’s departure from the rule of law and Russia’s move away from a free market in terms of energy has long term implications to the future of Australia,” he said. “Russia has declared an energy war on four or five of the governments of Europe just recently, they’ve declared cyber war on Estonia, and last week they threatened Europe with re-targeting missiles. “You simply can’t close your eyes to what’s happening to human rights in Russia and carry on as if business is usual.”

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

Uranium: Russia’s Achilles Heel

Two items from the blogosphere document Russia’s Achilles Heel on energy: Uranium, to fuel its vital nuclear power plants. Siberian Light reports:

Russia doesn’t mine anywhere near enough uranium to fuel all its nuclear reactors (military or civilian) or to cover the massive amount of uranium it has agreed to export to other countries.

Take a look at these numbers from 2000:

• 3,260 tonnes: Uranium mined in Russia
• 8,000 tonnes: Uranium used in Russian reactors
• 16,000 tonnes: Uranium exported abroad

Although production is on the increase, Russia used or exported seven times as much uranium as it was able to produce in 2000. The only way that Russia can fuel its nuclear reactors, and meet its export obligations is to dip into its steadily diminishing stockpile of uranium, which currently stands at around a half a million tonnes. At the current rate of depletion, Russia’s uranium stockpile will be gone entirely in little more than 20 years.

Taking the baton, the Russia blogosphere’s most prominent member Robert Amsterdam has been quick to pressure the Australians to do the right thing as they are pressed to fill Russia’s shortfall, as National Nine News reports:

An international human rights lawyer is calling on the Australian government to impose strict conditions on a new uranium deal with Russia and condemn the country’s human rights abuses. Canadian lawyer Robert Amsterdam is in Australia to hold talks with government officials about their role in dealing with what he says is the departure from the rule of law in Russia. Mr Amsterdam is defence lawyer for one of the world’s highest-profile political prisoners, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former chief executive of Russian oil giant Yukos. Mr Amsterdam said Mr Khodorkovsky has been jailed because of his vocal opposition to the President Vladimir Putin’s regime and his support for pro-democracy parties and organisations. Since his arrest by the secret police and deportation in 2005, on the last day of his client’s appeal, Mr Amsterdam has set out to inform the world about the actions of the Russian government, which he says is rapidly moving towards authoritarianism.

“One of the things I swore to myself when I was being deported was not to remain silent about not only the trial that I had been (involved) with but what I had witnessed,” Mr Amsterdam told AAP. He said that included colleagues jailed, murdered and disbarred, and his clients’ illegal incarceration and stabbing because of their opposition to the Russian regime.

Mr Amsterdam said Australia had a role to play in addressing the situation in Russia, including ensuring that a new uranium deal with Russia was tied to a condition of improving democracy. In April, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer revealed the government may expand its uranium deal with Russia, allowing Australian producers to supply Russia’s nuclear power industry. “In respect of the uranium deal (Australia should impose) conditionality, in other words, making sure that the Kremlin’s control of this uranium is conditional on an improvement of the democratic situation in Russia,” Mr Amsterdam said. Mr Amsterdam said public condemnation of Russia’s behaviour by the federal government would also help. “Even the simple pronouncement of what’s going on in Russia by responsible members of the government dramatically helps the situation in Russia,” he said. “It is the silence of the west and the complicity of some of our business community … that is to some significant extent also complicit in what’s going on in Russia today.” He said Australia should care about the actions of the Russian government because Russia is a major nuclear power, and it’s one of Australia’s only resources and commodities competitors.

On top of that, he said, Australia has an obligation as a signatory to the UN charter on civil and political rights. “Mr Putin will be coming to the APEC meeting and I think it’s important for people to understand that Russia’s departure from the rule of law and Russia’s move away from a free market in terms of energy has long term implications to the future of Australia,” he said. “Russia has declared an energy war on four or five of the governments of Europe just recently, they’ve declared cyber war on Estonia, and last week they threatened Europe with re-targeting missiles. “You simply can’t close your eyes to what’s happening to human rights in Russia and carry on as if business is usual.”

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

Uranium: Russia’s Achilles Heel

Two items from the blogosphere document Russia’s Achilles Heel on energy: Uranium, to fuel its vital nuclear power plants. Siberian Light reports:

Russia doesn’t mine anywhere near enough uranium to fuel all its nuclear reactors (military or civilian) or to cover the massive amount of uranium it has agreed to export to other countries.

Take a look at these numbers from 2000:

• 3,260 tonnes: Uranium mined in Russia
• 8,000 tonnes: Uranium used in Russian reactors
• 16,000 tonnes: Uranium exported abroad

Although production is on the increase, Russia used or exported seven times as much uranium as it was able to produce in 2000. The only way that Russia can fuel its nuclear reactors, and meet its export obligations is to dip into its steadily diminishing stockpile of uranium, which currently stands at around a half a million tonnes. At the current rate of depletion, Russia’s uranium stockpile will be gone entirely in little more than 20 years.

Taking the baton, the Russia blogosphere’s most prominent member Robert Amsterdam has been quick to pressure the Australians to do the right thing as they are pressed to fill Russia’s shortfall, as National Nine News reports:

An international human rights lawyer is calling on the Australian government to impose strict conditions on a new uranium deal with Russia and condemn the country’s human rights abuses. Canadian lawyer Robert Amsterdam is in Australia to hold talks with government officials about their role in dealing with what he says is the departure from the rule of law in Russia. Mr Amsterdam is defence lawyer for one of the world’s highest-profile political prisoners, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former chief executive of Russian oil giant Yukos. Mr Amsterdam said Mr Khodorkovsky has been jailed because of his vocal opposition to the President Vladimir Putin’s regime and his support for pro-democracy parties and organisations. Since his arrest by the secret police and deportation in 2005, on the last day of his client’s appeal, Mr Amsterdam has set out to inform the world about the actions of the Russian government, which he says is rapidly moving towards authoritarianism.

“One of the things I swore to myself when I was being deported was not to remain silent about not only the trial that I had been (involved) with but what I had witnessed,” Mr Amsterdam told AAP. He said that included colleagues jailed, murdered and disbarred, and his clients’ illegal incarceration and stabbing because of their opposition to the Russian regime.

Mr Amsterdam said Australia had a role to play in addressing the situation in Russia, including ensuring that a new uranium deal with Russia was tied to a condition of improving democracy. In April, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer revealed the government may expand its uranium deal with Russia, allowing Australian producers to supply Russia’s nuclear power industry. “In respect of the uranium deal (Australia should impose) conditionality, in other words, making sure that the Kremlin’s control of this uranium is conditional on an improvement of the democratic situation in Russia,” Mr Amsterdam said. Mr Amsterdam said public condemnation of Russia’s behaviour by the federal government would also help. “Even the simple pronouncement of what’s going on in Russia by responsible members of the government dramatically helps the situation in Russia,” he said. “It is the silence of the west and the complicity of some of our business community … that is to some significant extent also complicit in what’s going on in Russia today.” He said Australia should care about the actions of the Russian government because Russia is a major nuclear power, and it’s one of Australia’s only resources and commodities competitors.

On top of that, he said, Australia has an obligation as a signatory to the UN charter on civil and political rights. “Mr Putin will be coming to the APEC meeting and I think it’s important for people to understand that Russia’s departure from the rule of law and Russia’s move away from a free market in terms of energy has long term implications to the future of Australia,” he said. “Russia has declared an energy war on four or five of the governments of Europe just recently, they’ve declared cyber war on Estonia, and last week they threatened Europe with re-targeting missiles. “You simply can’t close your eyes to what’s happening to human rights in Russia and carry on as if business is usual.”

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

Uranium: Russia’s Achilles Heel

Two items from the blogosphere document Russia’s Achilles Heel on energy: Uranium, to fuel its vital nuclear power plants. Siberian Light reports:

Russia doesn’t mine anywhere near enough uranium to fuel all its nuclear reactors (military or civilian) or to cover the massive amount of uranium it has agreed to export to other countries.

Take a look at these numbers from 2000:

• 3,260 tonnes: Uranium mined in Russia
• 8,000 tonnes: Uranium used in Russian reactors
• 16,000 tonnes: Uranium exported abroad

Although production is on the increase, Russia used or exported seven times as much uranium as it was able to produce in 2000. The only way that Russia can fuel its nuclear reactors, and meet its export obligations is to dip into its steadily diminishing stockpile of uranium, which currently stands at around a half a million tonnes. At the current rate of depletion, Russia’s uranium stockpile will be gone entirely in little more than 20 years.

Taking the baton, the Russia blogosphere’s most prominent member Robert Amsterdam has been quick to pressure the Australians to do the right thing as they are pressed to fill Russia’s shortfall, as National Nine News reports:

An international human rights lawyer is calling on the Australian government to impose strict conditions on a new uranium deal with Russia and condemn the country’s human rights abuses. Canadian lawyer Robert Amsterdam is in Australia to hold talks with government officials about their role in dealing with what he says is the departure from the rule of law in Russia. Mr Amsterdam is defence lawyer for one of the world’s highest-profile political prisoners, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former chief executive of Russian oil giant Yukos. Mr Amsterdam said Mr Khodorkovsky has been jailed because of his vocal opposition to the President Vladimir Putin’s regime and his support for pro-democracy parties and organisations. Since his arrest by the secret police and deportation in 2005, on the last day of his client’s appeal, Mr Amsterdam has set out to inform the world about the actions of the Russian government, which he says is rapidly moving towards authoritarianism.

“One of the things I swore to myself when I was being deported was not to remain silent about not only the trial that I had been (involved) with but what I had witnessed,” Mr Amsterdam told AAP. He said that included colleagues jailed, murdered and disbarred, and his clients’ illegal incarceration and stabbing because of their opposition to the Russian regime.

Mr Amsterdam said Australia had a role to play in addressing the situation in Russia, including ensuring that a new uranium deal with Russia was tied to a condition of improving democracy. In April, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer revealed the government may expand its uranium deal with Russia, allowing Australian producers to supply Russia’s nuclear power industry. “In respect of the uranium deal (Australia should impose) conditionality, in other words, making sure that the Kremlin’s control of this uranium is conditional on an improvement of the democratic situation in Russia,” Mr Amsterdam said. Mr Amsterdam said public condemnation of Russia’s behaviour by the federal government would also help. “Even the simple pronouncement of what’s going on in Russia by responsible members of the government dramatically helps the situation in Russia,” he said. “It is the silence of the west and the complicity of some of our business community … that is to some significant extent also complicit in what’s going on in Russia today.” He said Australia should care about the actions of the Russian government because Russia is a major nuclear power, and it’s one of Australia’s only resources and commodities competitors.

On top of that, he said, Australia has an obligation as a signatory to the UN charter on civil and political rights. “Mr Putin will be coming to the APEC meeting and I think it’s important for people to understand that Russia’s departure from the rule of law and Russia’s move away from a free market in terms of energy has long term implications to the future of Australia,” he said. “Russia has declared an energy war on four or five of the governments of Europe just recently, they’ve declared cyber war on Estonia, and last week they threatened Europe with re-targeting missiles. “You simply can’t close your eyes to what’s happening to human rights in Russia and carry on as if business is usual.”

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

Uranium: Russia’s Achilles Heel

Two items from the blogosphere document Russia’s Achilles Heel on energy: Uranium, to fuel its vital nuclear power plants. Siberian Light reports:

Russia doesn’t mine anywhere near enough uranium to fuel all its nuclear reactors (military or civilian) or to cover the massive amount of uranium it has agreed to export to other countries.

Take a look at these numbers from 2000:

• 3,260 tonnes: Uranium mined in Russia
• 8,000 tonnes: Uranium used in Russian reactors
• 16,000 tonnes: Uranium exported abroad

Although production is on the increase, Russia used or exported seven times as much uranium as it was able to produce in 2000. The only way that Russia can fuel its nuclear reactors, and meet its export obligations is to dip into its steadily diminishing stockpile of uranium, which currently stands at around a half a million tonnes. At the current rate of depletion, Russia’s uranium stockpile will be gone entirely in little more than 20 years.

Taking the baton, the Russia blogosphere’s most prominent member Robert Amsterdam has been quick to pressure the Australians to do the right thing as they are pressed to fill Russia’s shortfall, as National Nine News reports:

An international human rights lawyer is calling on the Australian government to impose strict conditions on a new uranium deal with Russia and condemn the country’s human rights abuses. Canadian lawyer Robert Amsterdam is in Australia to hold talks with government officials about their role in dealing with what he says is the departure from the rule of law in Russia. Mr Amsterdam is defence lawyer for one of the world’s highest-profile political prisoners, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former chief executive of Russian oil giant Yukos. Mr Amsterdam said Mr Khodorkovsky has been jailed because of his vocal opposition to the President Vladimir Putin’s regime and his support for pro-democracy parties and organisations. Since his arrest by the secret police and deportation in 2005, on the last day of his client’s appeal, Mr Amsterdam has set out to inform the world about the actions of the Russian government, which he says is rapidly moving towards authoritarianism.

“One of the things I swore to myself when I was being deported was not to remain silent about not only the trial that I had been (involved) with but what I had witnessed,” Mr Amsterdam told AAP. He said that included colleagues jailed, murdered and disbarred, and his clients’ illegal incarceration and stabbing because of their opposition to the Russian regime.

Mr Amsterdam said Australia had a role to play in addressing the situation in Russia, including ensuring that a new uranium deal with Russia was tied to a condition of improving democracy. In April, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer revealed the government may expand its uranium deal with Russia, allowing Australian producers to supply Russia’s nuclear power industry. “In respect of the uranium deal (Australia should impose) conditionality, in other words, making sure that the Kremlin’s control of this uranium is conditional on an improvement of the democratic situation in Russia,” Mr Amsterdam said. Mr Amsterdam said public condemnation of Russia’s behaviour by the federal government would also help. “Even the simple pronouncement of what’s going on in Russia by responsible members of the government dramatically helps the situation in Russia,” he said. “It is the silence of the west and the complicity of some of our business community … that is to some significant extent also complicit in what’s going on in Russia today.” He said Australia should care about the actions of the Russian government because Russia is a major nuclear power, and it’s one of Australia’s only resources and commodities competitors.

On top of that, he said, Australia has an obligation as a signatory to the UN charter on civil and political rights. “Mr Putin will be coming to the APEC meeting and I think it’s important for people to understand that Russia’s departure from the rule of law and Russia’s move away from a free market in terms of energy has long term implications to the future of Australia,” he said. “Russia has declared an energy war on four or five of the governments of Europe just recently, they’ve declared cyber war on Estonia, and last week they threatened Europe with re-targeting missiles. “You simply can’t close your eyes to what’s happening to human rights in Russia and carry on as if business is usual.”

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

Annals of Russian Insanity

In the perpetuation of stereotypes, PRNewswire reports:

Russian Standard, the number one premium vodka in Russia, has been named the “Official Vodka” of the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the United States. As the Russian Embassy’s exclusive vodkas, Russian Standard’s IMPERIA and Russian Standard Original vodkas will be served at major embassy events. This new partnership will be announced today, on the occasion of Russian National Day, during an official state dinner of the Russian Embassy in Washington D.C. Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the U.S., Yuri Ushakov, will host the event. In addition to Russia’s #1 premium vodka, the event will feature traditional Russian fare and entertainment, and an exhibition of Russian icons, drawn from the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, Massachusetts. Roustam Tariko, founder of Russian Standard, said, “It is our privilege to be the official vodka of the Russian embassy in Washington D.C., and to represent our country as a truly authentic Russian product and brand.” Tariko continued, “Russia is making great strides in sharing its culture and heritage with the world, and we are proud to bring the #1 premium vodka from the home of vodka to America.”

What’s next, the official cigarette? Not one to miss an opportunity, the company immediately sought to cash in on state approval:

Russian Standard, the number one premium vodka company in Russia, today announced the launch of its “Pure Russian” advertising campaign for its premium brand, Russian Standard Original. The campaign coincides with the national U.S. launch of Russia’s #1 premium vodka.

The strategy for the campaign is to distinguish Russian Standard Original from other brands sold in the U.S. market that only claim Russian authenticity. Russian Standard Original is made in Russia with Russian ingredients, distilled in Russia, bottled in Russia, sold in Russia and #1 in Russia. Other than Russian Standard’s luxury brand IMPERIA, no other vodka sold in the U.S. market can claim this level of Russian authenticity.

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

Latynina on Russian Racism

Writing in the Moscow Times, hero journalist Yulia Latyinina documents Russia’s neo-Soviet non-policy on racism, which is the same as its neo-Soviet non-policy on AIDS: Ignore the problem and suppress information that it exists. She also points out the important fact that “the Soviet Union collapsed along ethnic lines” (indicating that the Soviet Union in fact never solved Russian racism nor melded a country of unity) and that racism is worse under Putin than Yeltsin even though the economic excuse is much lessened. To sum it up: Russia is a basket case.

An angry crowd trashed Stavropol city buses, hundreds of shouting demonstrators chanted “Russia,” and riot police held the mob at bay. As far as I know, only RTVi cable television and Ren-TV broadcast this chaotic scene.

State television stations ran footage of Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev saying “there was no disorder” in Stavropol and that the ministry had opened nine criminal investigations and 51 people had been detained in connection with the nonexistent disturbance. State television quoted the presidential envoy to the Southern Federal District, Dmitry Kozak, as calling it “an ordinary fight,” while rushing off to Stavropol himself.

The contrast couldn’t be greater. The authorities simply maintain that nothing special happened. Mobs of Russians scream that Chechens killed two students, while the Interior Ministry produces a composite photo of a murder suspect with freckles and blond hair. We can be sure that the police will haul in a suspect with freckles and blond hair, regardless of his actual guilt or innocence, and that angry mob will refuse to accept that the real offender has been apprehended.

Getting to the truth of what actually happened is of no interest to anyone involved.

The standard of living was worse under Boris Yeltsin than it is under President Vladimir Putin: With Yeltsin there were miners’ strikes, lean budgets and war in Chechnya. But at least there weren’t pogroms. Nobody blamed the 1998 default crisis on people from the Caucasus. Now that Russia is “better off,” people are ready to go after non-Russians.

The Soviet Union collapsed along ethnic lines, and these conflicts are now resurgent in Russia.

There are two points here. The first is that Chechens are implicated in every major interethnic disturbance. Chechens from the village of Novoselskoye fought with Avar villagers from neighboring Moksob, with Kalmyks in Yandyki, with Kabardintsy in Nalchik, and with Russians in Kondopoga.

The second point is that, apart from conflicts with other groups from the Caucasus, the Chechens always come out the winners despite being outnumbered. In Kazakhstan a furious crowd couldn’t even take a single home from which a Chechen had supposedly fired a hunting rifle. In Kondopoga, six Chechens allegedly attacked a mob and somehow managed to stab its leader to death.

Russia’s current course is doomed to strengthen interethnic rifts, the most dangerous of which is between Russians and Chechens. Russians see it as a conflict between wild animals and civilized humans, but Chechens view it as a wolf pouncing on a flock of sheep. Moscow’s hands-off approach only contributes to the problem. Instead of an appropriate government response, all the authorities provide is unofficial crisis management and spin.

The Kremlin is knowingly cultivating hatred. “They have offended us” has now become the leitmotif of the daily news. Russia has been insulted by the Poles, the Georgians, the Estonians, the Americans, the Norwegians, the Central Asians, the Jews and anyone who supports a unipolar world. Somehow the Eskimos have managed to avoid coming in for approbation. And when Putin climbs up on the presidential podium and seems to compare the United States to the Third Reich or talks about the need to “protect ethnic Russians,” mobs respond by burning market stalls owned by foreigners. No direct order is necessary — the president’s words are translated into action anyway.

But now the authorities are panicking. Phrases like “an ordinary fight” and “the murderer has freckles” are just attempts to solve problems with the age-old practice of denying their existence. It’s like treating a stroke patient by maintaining that he or she is perfectly healthy.

The ironic result is that, while the Kremlin continues to take control of more business assets and cash flows and to reduce personal freedoms, its control over the country continues to ebb.

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

Annals of the Neo-Soviet Web Crackdown

The Helsingin Sanomat reports:

Media freedom in Russia is doing about as well as it is in China and Iran – in other words, quite badly, according to the ranking of the US Freedom House organisation, which monitors freedom of the press in different countries. The organisation rates countries as free, partly free, and not free. Russia ranks in the third group. Challengers of Russia’s present holders of power find it very difficult to get their voices heard on television channels, which are the most influential sector in the Russian media. Even though television is powerfully under Kremlin control, the press uses its freedom of expression in a more versatile manner. The greatest amount of freedom is on the Internet – and that is why some in Russia are worried at the signs of possible attempts to control the Web. According to the opposition, the Web continues to offer a channel for voices that are critical of the Kremlin.

“The Web is quickly becoming the last refuge of dissent in my country … And lately even the Web has become a target of the Kremlin, which wants to control and monitor our every thought and deed.”, wrote chess-master-turned-opposition leader Garry Kasparov in Business Week recently. Kasparov is one of the leaders of the Other Russia opposition movement. For the group, the Internet is an efficient tool for calling people to demonstrations. The movement’s website fell victim to a massive hacker attack shortly before a march of dissidents in Moscow.

Kasparov’s aide Marina Litvinovich told Helsingin Sanomat that at the time, the movement began to distribute information via a live journal. Litvinovich sees the hacker attacks as a new form of technical censorship. “You cannot turn off the Internet, but it is possible to limit access to certain pages.” Litvinovich says that the hacking was conducted in Russia, but his group has not managed to find out who organised it. About 28 million of Russia’s 142 million inhabitants are regular users of the Internet – about 20 per cent of the population, says the Russian FOM research institute. LR: That’s right, 80% of Russia’s population has no regular access to the Internet. EIGHTY percent.

A question arose in the spring on whether or not the new state authority established to regulate the activities and licencing of the media was to be enhanced by controlling Internet publications as well. The office that was established to “monitor the mass media and protect cultural heritage” was set up by linking two old services with each other. Its mandate includes “the legal regulation, control and guidance” of the media, “as well as questions of copyright”. Critics say that the new office has laid the groundwork for closer control of the media. Assurances were given by the communications department of the Kremlin that the aim was simply to clarify the structure of the new state authority. “The task if the new authority is to distribute licences. This is not control of the Internet”, said information officer Dmitri Peskov to the Bloomberg news agency.

One of those who were worried was Roman Badanin, the head of the political department of Russia’s leading on-line publication, gazeta.ru. “The new super-authority has not yet had any impact”, he says now to Helsingin Sanomat. In his view, the risks still exist. Setting up a new office was a strategic, rather than a tactical move for him. Russia is in the midst of an election year, and Badanin says that how the new authority is used will be seen when the successor of the current President, Vladimir Puti, is elected next year. Russia has several news websites, which are not on-line versions of a paper publication. Instead, they appear only on the Internet. Gazeta.ru was set up in 1999, and it was soon sold to the oil company Yukos. Last year, it changed owners again. It was bought by businessman Alisher Usmanov, who had bought a company that publishes the daily Kommersant earlier in the same year. The 18th-richest person in Russia, who earned his fortune in the metals business, is also the manager of Gazprominvestholding, a subsidiary of the state gas company Gazprom, looking after its investments. According to Badanin, the new owner does not have any influence on the journalistic content of the publication – at least not yet. In his view, it would be difficult to use media of the kind that gazeta.ru is for propaganda purposes. “Our readers are independent-thinking people. They will make their own decisions no matter what.”

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !

June 13, 2007 — Contents

WEDNESDAY JUNE 13 CONTENTS

(1) One Picture is Worth a Thousand Buckets of Vomit

(2) Russia is the Slave of Oil and the KGB

(3) Putin’s Labyrinth

(4) Annals of the Russophile Sociopath: Kremlin Functionary Vladimir Frolov

Thanks for reading La Russophobe !