THX, you watch to many movies.

Saladin Chechnya was never recognized by any one so that makes them terrorists since it is part or Russian Federation.So you have answered it,the Chechens are bandits and terrorists.What do you call people who kidnap innocent people?freedom fighters?

A Question of Motive

MOSCOW, Jun 29, 2000 -- (Norasco-Russia Journal) Western analysts, a former Russian minister, oligarchs and others are climbing over each other to accuse the new Russian administration of "renationalization," "redistributing wealth," rebuilding a repressive regime run by "chekists" and so on.

Vladimir Putin's prosecutors seem to have a special liking for oligarchs that share the president’s first name.

First Vladimir Gusinsky and now Vladimir Potanin – though most in Russia are still waiting for the prosecutions to get to the other end of the alphabet – specifically to the letter B.

But the question that looms large behind the Moscow prosecutors’ move is not whether "loans-for-shares" should be questioned – they should be.

And not whether some of the most fraudulent deals last century should be reversed – plainly they should be.

The question is if an attack comes, whether it will be via an independent court or by arbitrary means.

The notion of a renationalization of assets – from the hands of oligarchs who, with the help of corrupt politicians, robbed the Russian people blind – and the re-auctioning of those assets – should not be seen as an attack on private property or capitalism.

As long as the state does not use strong-arm tactics – allowing the oligarchs to fight the issue in court – then it would be wrong to raise the specter of bolshevism in this process.

The worry in all of this is of a different nature altogether. The question remains whether the whole Kremlin apparatus is a "Kukla" (puppet) in the hands of a few. But this can only be answered properly if the state moves wholesale against loans-for-shares and other rigged privatization deals.

One must not be too hasty in drawing conclusions about the Kremlin's intentions.

After all, any legal process will depend on the prosecutor's office, an office known better for finding its chiefs in bed with prostitutes than for successfully bringing law-breakers to justice.

In fact, it is doubtful that the state even possesses the legal firepower necessary to bring the oligarchs to justice.

The best legal brains in the country are, of course, now working for the oligarchy.

Indeed, if the state is serious about righting past wrongs, it would do better to first build a functional and independent judicial system with modern laws and then go after the oligarchs.

But if the state's intention is simply to use the government's current Soviet legal apparatus to further the interests of its own coterie (read "the family") – which cannot be ruled out given the track record of those in government – then a greater travesty of justice is about to be committed than the one being challenged.

But a successful court challenge to a large deal like NorNickel – the world's second largest producer of nickel and largest producer of platinum group metals – privatized without any money coming into state coffers – would set a solid legal precedent.

Broadly, we must laud the fact that government has this time chosen to use the courts rather than the men in masks – and that it has shown a willingness to open the closets that everyone knows are packed with skeletons.

The only question now is whether the state has the resources, the legal ones that is, to see the process through – and whether the mass graves of the Russian economy will also be disturbed.

The close cooperation between the Russian Audit Chamber, run by former Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin, a man with a relatively clean reputation, and the Moscow prosecutors, with not such a clean reputation, should also be seen as positive.

Stepashin seems to enjoy particularly good relations with Putin, and if that means he has the president's approval to open the X-files that are the Russian privatization process, then this would answer the prayers of millions of ordinary Russians. Let the wealth – even criminal, oligarchic wealth – defend itself in a court of law.

But don't let the past go unchallenged. It must be subject to a legal process.

The media in Russia (mostly owned by oligarchs) and in the West (strange, but true) have risen in opposition of the government's actions.

If the process is done legally, we shall give a cheer every time a file is opened, a corrupt process reversed and the state's assets put back to auction in an open, competitive and transparent manner. Russia needs a privatization where the government and the people reap the benefits, not a corrupt few.

thx, quit watching so many movies, your perception of the world is quite clouded!

Yes, Dimi, my opinion changes as I learn and read and hear new opinions. Yours is based on taking a nationalistic line and •••• the evidence.
Funny coming from a stockbroker who hasn't lived in Russia for effing years.
You say one thing and live another.
Has anything you have read here changed your opinion, or your position one iota, no you made your opinion, before you switched on your computer and come hell or high water you are going to stick to it. Like igor you simply post what most closely expresses your opinion and don't bother reading opposing views.

I have spent most my life outside "my own" country, I hate nationalism and I can look at where I come from objectively. I would have thought you could do the same by now, how long have you lived in America? Hey and why did you leave?

Mary, I concur with both L'chan and Dimi, let those Arschlochs go. I'm sure we'll find plenty of new ones. And despite "certain people's" paranoia, you are not alone in that game. The final line was a general comment. (As was rewriting history, Dimi, unless you claim sole credit for that of course!) I guess it was an adrenaline rush to kick the •••• out of those idiots, but can we all calm down now.

Dimi, I don't know how to deal with your apparent hostility towards the Poles, the lithuanians etc.
Russia "liberated" Poland only to install a puppet regime and to oppress the population for the next few decades. Do you really think that kind of thing is easily forgotten? We are talking recent history, not middle ages(Ukraine). And I know I started out by saying "a few hundred years of oppression", but it only ended ten years ago.

And while we're at it you are also very good at overlooking parts of other peoples posts, get off the moral high ground before you freeze your butt off.

And re my so-called changing opinions(ever heard of questioning sources to see if they are valid?)
I quote: "You can sit on the fence in the company of intelligent individuals, in the company of ravers this is impossible." (Which of these does DMS belong to? LOL)
Source available to those who can answer that.

What reason would I have to be pro Russian/Serb? I refuse to be pro- Nato!!!!

GFY-s!!

Kim

>>>By IGOR ( - 149.99.70.225) on Thursday, June 29, 2000 - 10:49 pm:

Saladin Chechnya was never recognized by any one so that makes them terrorists since it is part or Russian Federation.So you have answered it,the Chechens are bandits and terrorists.What do you call people who kidnap innocent people?freedom fighters? >>>

Igor,
Chechens elected the government in a fair and free election monitored and certified by international jurors. What you, or Putin says has no bearing on the people's government. People like you can go and jump! While you are on that, take your filthy invaders with you too, before being too late for many of them! LOL.

>>>By Kim arx ( - 192.65.184.131) on Friday, June 30, 2000 - 03:58 am:
I have spent most my life outside "my own" country, I hate nationalism and I can look at where I come from objectively. >>>

I wish more people could say that.

>>>By betterthanyou ( - 155.163.223.114) on Thursday, June 29, 2000 - 03:11 pm:
Dimitri,
The guy has definatly lost his mind, to bad cause he could have been one of the greatest fighter.. >>>

Are you talking about IGOR? (re. Berstein)

"If the Chechens are quiet, they can sneak past us only 20 meters away and no one will notice them," he said.

Does that answer any question on how Chechen Freedom Fighters are able to evade so called encirclements?

Its funny to read how Russian army keeps on encircling Freedom Fighters and end up bombing their own troops!

Little Boy Larry L'menexe:

I remember back in elementary school when the teacher had to leave the classroom she appointed a class monitor who sat at the teachers desk and wrote down names of any classmate who talked or got out of their seats. It was usually the insecure, wimpy, geek of the class who was always quick to cast judgement on others and who constantly tried to make brownie points by kissing ass, talking behind peoples back and rat-ing out fellow classmates. This was also the same goof who would take a temper tandrem and would take his ball and go home crying if people wouldn't see things his way, not to mention not talking to them anymore.

I'm quite sure you know the exact type of person in which I refer. If not, take a good look in the mirror.

You may think it if you choose, but don't you dare ever refer to me as a gross pig again. Understand?

hm.....
well, y'know, twas as i said yesterday, isn't it?

this is the fate of anyone who wanted you to 'cut
the shite' and said so on the board.
oh dear me.

but you haven't the _slightest_ idea who i am.
or _what_ i've done.
or _where_ i've been.

and you _can't_ hurt me.

==
mornin', mum
obviously, since i was the one who has been ending
music chat group posts with that quote,[as it
originated from e-mail to me] i am disqualified
from answering that question.
heh.

ps>
gross pigs are
as gross pigs do.

>>>Are you talking about IGOR? (re. Berstein)
ROOOOOOFL
KIDDIE INNOCENCE..
ROFL
IT JUSTIFIES HIS 05:30 BULL
LOL

LITTLE BOY LARRY L'MENEXE:

Wouldn't dream of hurting you, you self rightious, hypercritical little sh!t that you are, your handicapped enough. I think that the "KNIGHT" picture Igor posted might really be you.

Now go peddel your fish or deliver your bread or what ever unskilled job you do in Plymouth, Rocks in your Head, Massachusetts.

WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH, Time to grow up and be a man!