A Commander! More like Macho talk from a bum that got his military training at a second hand Westpoint Knock-off!

Russian Media Fear for Their Independence

By Sharon LaFraniere
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday , February 21, 2000 ; A19

MOSCOW –– Mikhail Berger, editor in chief of the influential Moscow daily Sevodnya, wrote acting President Vladimir Putin
a few weeks ago to ask for an interview. The unofficial answer was quite blunt, said Berger, whose paper criticizes Putin fairly
regularly. "Never, never for the paper Sevodnya," said a Kremlin press officer. "Anybody but you."

Instead, Putin aired his views on the state-controlled television channel ORT. Given a whole hour with the Russian leader, the
station's respectful-to-a-fault reporter asked about Putin's family life, his dog and his dacha, or weekend house. Lost in the
exchange was any mention of the government's fiercely criticized decision four days earlier to swap a Radio Liberty reporter to
Chechen militants for five Russian soldiers.

Trading access for soft stories is hardly a new political tactic, in Russia or elsewhere, especially with a presidential election five
weeks away. In Putin's case, though, Russian journalists increasingly fear it is part of a pattern of misuse and mistreatment of the
press.

"It's absolutely obvious we are entering into a new epoch for the media," said Raf Shakirov, former chief editor of
Kommersant, which was once Moscow's most respected daily newspaper.

At issue is the vitality of the independent news media, one of Russia's proudest accomplishments since the end of communism.
Anything but monolithic, the media range from obvious mouthpieces for Kremlin-connected owners to fiercely independent
outlets that excoriate officials and tycoons of any political stripe.

The independent news media are weak--sometimes altogether absent--outside Moscow, and compete with strong
state-sponsored media outlets even within the capital. But they exist, having been protected by former president Boris Yeltsin
for a decade, during which no national politician would dare threaten them openly.

What some journalists sense from Putin is a more covert danger. After Yeltsin made Putin prime minister in August, followed by
his appointment as acting president Dec. 31 on Yeltsin's resignation, the Kremlin began to steer the news coverage noticeably.
Kremlin officials cheered on, if not orchestrated, the state television channel's campaign against political opponents of the
Kremlin-backed party during the campaign for December's parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, they tightly restricted reporters'
access to Chechen war zones, determined to avoid the type of negative news coverage that had siphoned off public support for
the previous Chechen war.

Anxiety about the Kremlin's press policy crystallized this month when the government announced it had turned over Radio
Liberty's war correspondent, Andrei Babitsky, to Chechen militants after detaining him for at least 10 days. Babitsky's
whereabouts is still uncertain. To Oleg Panfilov, a media expert who formerly worked for Glasnost Defense Fund, a human
rights organization, the incident confirms his worst fears about Putin's attitude toward the press.

"Such an aggressive attack on journalists like there has been under Putin never could have happened under Yeltsin," he said.
"This is the beginning of a tragic epoch for the Russian press."

In a special edition of the weekly newspaper Obshchaya Gazeta published Wednesday, 32 editors condemned Babitsky's
treatment as an attack on freedom of speech.

"This is a fight for a normal climate," the newspaper's editor, Yegor Yakovlev, said in a televised interview. "I don't expect that
after this they will stop pressuring newspapers and magazines. No. But society will at least evaluate the conditions in which it
lives."

Journalists said they hope the Kremlin is not preparing for a serious crackdown. "Nobody knows what Putin is going to do
after the election," said Berger, whose newspaper Sevodnya is part of Media-Most, a media empire controlled by tycoon
Vladimir Gusinsky. "One possibility is that . . . we will see strong limitations by the government, strong restrictions on the press.
I can't exclude that."

The state still controls the printing presses and issues broadcast and publishing licenses that can be suspended or revoked. It
also can exert economic pressure on the handful of business tycoons who own media outlets. To many journalists, the litmus
test is what happens to NTV, the independent television channel.

Especially outside Moscow, Russian television is far more influential than local newspapers, which are often little more than
outlets for local or regional politicians. The state-controlled ORT channel reaches the entire country, and together with the
state-owned All-Russian State Television and Radio, broadcasts the top 50 programs. NTV broadcasts to only half the
country, but its news programs are professional and balanced and command the biggest share of the Moscow audience.

NTV is also part of Gusinsky's empire, but 30 percent of it is owned by Gazprom, the government-dominated natural gas
monopoly. Last week, Gazprom's chief executive officer gave a taste of the kind of economic pressure the channel could face.
He suggested that Gazprom reconsider its investment in the station, because it is not supportive enough of the Chechen war.
"Emphasizing any negative aspects in the struggle against the bandits is out of place," he said.

Putin has said he will protect the press if, as expected, he is elected president March 26. In the ORT interview, Putin
repeatedly described a free press as Russia's best protection against totalitarianism. "That is simply my deep belief," he said. He
said he favors a level playing field among media interests.

But the careers of Shakirov, the editor, and journalist Sergei Dorenko show the current tilt. Shakirov, an independent-minded
journalist, is suffering a career slide, while Dorenko, a gleefully biased one, is the anchor of a weekly political diatribe on ORT.

For three years while Shakirov was Kommersant's chief editor, the newspaper was known for accuracy and objectivity. Then
in August, Boris Berezovsky, an oil and media baron with ties to the Kremlin's inner circle, bought a controlling interest.

Shakirov moved to TV-Center, a television station controlled by Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, but said he left after Moscow
political captains demanded more glowing pieces on Luzhkov.

Last week, Shakirov became deputy chairman of All-Russian State Television and Radio, the state-owned television channel.
"There are compromises and there are compromises," he said in an interview before his appointment was announced. He said
he expects interference, but would rather face that than abandon his profession.

While Shakirov was job-hunting, Dorenko was captivating Russian viewers with a sensational brew of half-truths and
insinuations on the state-run channel. Again, Berezovsky, who owns 11 percent of the channel, was the stage master.

All through the end of last year, Dorenko thrilled the Kremlin with his lurid attacks on Luzhkov and former prime minister
Yevgeny Primakov, both one-time potential presidential rivals for Putin.

Asked if he broadcasts truth or show business, Dorenko, a former model, said, "I am part of show business . . . and Luzhkov is
a character in my show. . . . Luzhkov is Mighty Mouse for my show." Later, he said his reports "are 100 percent true."

Dorenko mentioned reports that he cost Fatherland-All Russia, the party of Luzhkov and Primakov, 10 percent of its support
in the parliamentary elections. Luzhkov and Primakov also indirectly connect him with their departures from the presidential
race. Both referred to Kremlin-sponsored smear campaigns in explaining their decisions not to run.

Dorenko insisted he is not beholden to the Kremlin. He is a loner and a narcissist, he said. He just happens to despise Luzhkov,
dislike Primakov and agree with Putin, at least on Chechnya.

"I am personally grateful to him about Chechnya," he declared. "I am going to protect Putin from criticism until he reaches the
Georgian border and destroys all the Chechen rebels. Until then, I am going to handle him with care. I am going to blow every
speck of dust off him."

Kissie Instead of Chechnya, which is insignificant, why don't you ever talk about what your fanatical friends in Israel are doing?
* That'll teach Turk a lesson. Heh.
"Human Rights Watch" org. is the most hypoctitical of all orgs.

Blessing carnage

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20000221/wl/russia_chechnya_3hg.html

TO ALL MY DEAR FEMALE MUSLIM FRIENDS:

What can I plan for the rest of the day. Let's see.....I'll head on down to the health club for a good arobic and weight lifting workout to keep my body well toned. Next a bite to eat and a glass of wine at the country club. Think I'll also book a massage, mud bath, hot oil rub, sauna "ala natural", manicure, pedicure, facial and new hair do as well. Probably get a shave while I'm at it.

Tomorrow, spend a little time shopping, saw this darling thong bikini, think I'll get it. Have a ton of frequent miles, why not book a few days of sun, fun and relaxation at a warm climate resort "all first class of course."

Oh....but the life of a financially secure, modern, vivacious, carefree, independant, educated, world traveled single women who has lofty goals, 2 cars, 1 dump truck, 3 level townhouse and 12 weeks vacation a year. I also have been trained in Kempo Karate, have a permit to carry firearms and fly my own Beechcraft.

To all my female Muslim friends...you are strong, all this can be yours as well...your goals can and will be achieved. But, you must rid yourself of the chains which bind you...strike out at your surpressors...you are a women...a women that demands respect...is entitled to the finer things of life...a women who is not a slave...a women who is proud of her physical attributes (not hidden under layers upon layers of cheap cloth)...a women who is not put on this world to be found running to serve...not a baby making machine...you need to be pampered...you need to reach orgasim...get that dental care at a dentist and not let your surpressors knock out your teeth at the smallest of whims... don't be the whipping post for Muslim man's frustrations when they return (if they return) from losing battles...you are women...breakaway now...the modern world awaits you with open arms...CAST AWAY THE FALSE FANATIC TEACHINGS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO...IT IS YOUR TIME TO LIVE...

You may wonder why I have a dump truck..Its available just in case any Male Muslim debri might accumulate within the neighborhood. It has not been used yet. MAYBE ALLA WARNED THEM TO STAY AWAY IF THEY KNOW WHATS GOOD FOR THEM.

>balalaika said:
>yap, yap, yap!

What's that Lassy? Nope, Japanese can't send help to terrorists in Chechnya. But keep on yapping!

balalaika:
The picture is so funny. The guy closest to the camera had headache from the hashish this drug dealer punk is showering him with.

dimi the chicken:
yap yap yap, can u do better chicken?

y x ( - 142.194.252.8)

Xhuman aka subhuman,

How did you like the piss and dung, which your gods prescribe in your books?


It is a joke that subhuman swnie got wife, is not it pigs.

Oh, mary-dear,
What Feminist Statements for such a lady of leisure!!
Do you use Clinique,Sweety?

Afraid of the truth- shame you couldn't have used a more direct source. Anything appearing in the Washington post is likely to get slated by the residentials here. Thanks though.

Dimitri/Kissie- Ihr seit so fuching Tief, meine Lieben. Why do you waste time on these petty squables?
L'menexe- Is your armour polished and your white horse saddled? (I may need you.........)

Kim

>b(osna) whined:
>yap, yap, yap!

What's up doggie, I don't understand you. Speak (or shall I say, "Yap!").

For humans only

Visit this site








abdullah

L'menexe

one more indication that kissie FORGOT more class than you EVER HAD.

is our battle done now? did i win?
silly question.
of course i won.
consider the adversary...



don't fret spineless little man, may be one of these days you'll be able to get into the pants of your loving crafty 'classy' Kissie.

By the way I'd rather lack class than be a two faced, lying, manipulative little Jewess, who presents macroscopic concepts in a microscopic context

I AM BACK, AND WITH GOOD NEWS TOO ---

1. FEW DAYS AGO KHATTAB DECLARED THAT "FREEDOM MISSION IN CHECHNYA IS OVER, AND ALLAH ORDERS HIS WARRIORS TO COME HOME". NOTICE THAT ALLAH AND KHATTAB FORGOT ABOUT CHECHEN "WARRIORS". OH YEAH, ALLAH CAME TO KHATTAB IN HIS DREAM.

2. SOME RELIABLE SOURCES SAY THAT SHAMIL BASAEV IS PRACTICALY BLIND DUE TO HIS INJURIES. SO DO HIM A FAVOR AND TAKE AN EXTRA LOOK AT THE SUN AND NICE BLUE CLOUDS. BASAEV MAY NOT SEE THEM AGAIN.

3. BODY OF SALMAN RADUEV WAS FOUND IN CHECHNYA. DENTAL RECORDS WILL BE CHECKED TO SEE IF IT'S REALLY HIM. IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT RADUEV WAS KILLED BY OTHER CHECHEN WARLORD.

4. RUSSIAN BORDER GUARDS FOUND A NICE CHECHEN BARRACKS IN THE SOUTH OF CHECHNYA WITH AMMUNITION AND OTHER SUPPLIES. THEY TOOK OVER IT, HOPEFULLY MUJAHIDEEN WON'T MIND.

5. ZELIMKHAN YANDARBIEV DECLARED JIHAD ON RUSSIA, USA, AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES. HE SAID ALL MUSLIM COUNTRIES, EXCEPT CHECHNYA AND AFGHANISTAN, ARE ENSLAVED EITHER BY RUSSIA OR USA.

6. AND FINAL NEWS ARE VERY CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS. A MERCERNARY FROM BOSNIA & H. WAS KILLED IN CHECHNYA FEW DAYS AGO.

Hairy Mary

Being a fatso is bad enough, but being poor and on welfare makes it even worse

My offer still stands to fed you and your poor family

p.s. Maybe a friend can teach you how to post in lowercase