For a nation that claims it wants to have better relations with the West, the Russian government of President Vladimir Putin has a strange way of going about it.
The British Council has said it is "deeply concerned" after it emerged that its staff in Russia had been summoned for questioning by the state Federal Security Service (FSB) and visited at home.
The harassment currently being meted out to the staff of the British Council offices in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg is part of a familiar pattern of intimidation. The apparatchiks who run Putin's regime will stop at nothing to get their way.
The more likely explanation for the Kremlin's decision to lay siege to the British Council offices is Mr Putin's desire to flex his political muscles ahead of the all-important presidential elections scheduled for March 2.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml;jsessionid=NRJ4T5ZJOSMWRQFIQMGCFGGAVCBQUIV0?xml=/opinion/2008/01/18/do1803.xml
Originally posted by MacSwainnot that surprising. Once the "Elections" are over. He may stop playing the Xenophobic card. The Kremlin will always win an "election" in Russia.
For a nation that claims it wants to have better relations with the West, the Russian government of President Vladimir Putin has a strange way of going about it.
The British Council has said it is "deeply concerned" after it emerged that its staff in Russia had been summoned for questioning by the state Federal Security Service (FSB) and visited at home. ...[text shortened]... n/main.jhtml;jsessionid=NRJ4T5ZJOSMWRQFIQMGCFGGAVCBQUIV0?xml=/opinion/2008/01/18/do1803.xml
Originally posted by MacSwainCrap! Putin today... svw tomorrow. I guess I better stop harrassing the local brit twits. But it is soooooooooooo fun!😉
For a nation that claims it wants to have better relations with the West, the Russian government of President Vladimir Putin has a strange way of going about it.
The British Council has said it is "deeply concerned" after it emerged that its staff in Russia had been summoned for questioning by the state Federal Security Service (FSB) and visited at home. ...[text shortened]... n/main.jhtml;jsessionid=NRJ4T5ZJOSMWRQFIQMGCFGGAVCBQUIV0?xml=/opinion/2008/01/18/do1803.xml
Originally posted by MacSwainTo be honest we have been asking for it for years. We are the Jack Russel of the World. When we run up against a bear, we pretend to be a bear, but we aren't even close!
For a nation that claims it wants to have better relations with the West, the Russian government of President Vladimir Putin has a strange way of going about it.
The British Council has said it is "deeply concerned" after it emerged that its staff in Russia had been summoned for questioning by the state Federal Security Service (FSB) and visited at home. ...[text shortened]... n/main.jhtml;jsessionid=NRJ4T5ZJOSMWRQFIQMGCFGGAVCBQUIV0?xml=/opinion/2008/01/18/do1803.xml
RAF alert as Russia stages huge naval exercise in Bay of Biscay
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3234607.ece
I bet some of you will be side-trapped by the slide show of Bobby Fischer on the page.
Oh and another good article from last year.. a bit of excerpt below and the link at the bottom.
"Russia’s bullying of its neighbours, its campaign against dissidents at home and abroad and other unacceptable behaviour must be challenged with one voice by the West.
Equally, Western nations should avoid provoking Russia and where possible show the country the respect it believes it deserves.
Culturally and socially Russians regard themselves as Europeans. They choose to send to their children to schools in England and to spend their summers on Mediterranean beaches."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1881792.ece