Western Naivete in the Case of Mikhail Khodorkovsky

etalkinghead ^ | 6/7/05 | Kira

[ratemy]

Telling it like it is in the sad case of Khodorkovsky...

But the more strong and principled voices I hear (did you read Kasparov's WSJ editorial), the more hope I have that justice will prevail in this case, even if it may be some time before it happens.

Would such a movement/outcry have even been possible ten years ago? Putin's actions (and those of his henchmen) might be ignored in his own country and by much of the western mainstream media, but there is a tide building strength in the case for Mikhail Khodorkovsky - and ulitimately in the case against Russia's penchant for legalized crime.

[aynrandfreak]

Good find!

[annalex]

He reminded every foreign investor and aspiring biznes talent who’s boss. And that will take a bigger toll on Russia’s short-lived “democracy” and its non-existent “market economy” than if he had put on his KGB uniform and done what suits him best.

Which, I am sure, was his intent. It is easier to rule a poor country, so he will make sure Russia stays poor.

[ratemy]

That was indeed a great line --- so what do you make of the mostly hands off approach of the west? bush and co?

[annalex]

I don't think Bush should make Russia any kind of priority, and at any rate he cannot stop totalitarianism there even if he tried. Sadly, Russia just has to work it out itself. Putin continues to be very popular, and the so-called oligarchs very unpopular.

[GarySpFc]

This is not the true story of how Khodorkovsky gained Yukos in the beginning. There was a phony company set up. After Khororkovsky made a low bid the phony company came in and offered several billion for the company. Then after the bidding was closed the phony company defaulted on the bid leaving Khodorkovsky with the winning bid. I don't remember the exact amount, but it was extremely low.

[ken21]

back to medievalism.

[ratemy]

Now – this is the point of contention: How did these people get these assets? Some had political/economic connections. Others developed them. The biznes-savvy seized the moment. There was not a single asset that was acquired for its actual worth. And anyway, how does one establish the worth of an asset that didn’t have a single honest accounting book to its name?

[GarySpFc]

Now – this is the point of contention: How did these people get these assets? Some had political/economic connections. Others developed them. The biznes-savvy seized the moment. There was not a single asset that was acquired for its actual worth. And anyway, how does one establish the worth of an asset that didn’t have a single honest accounting book to its name?

I read that, but then the article makes it appear that Putin was in the wrong in the Yukos affair. Yukos was stolen from the Russian people, and the people have been clamoring for the government to right the wrong. Putin agreeded to leave the oligarchs alone if they stayed out of politics and paid their taxes. Mikhail Khodorkovsky did neither, and Putin knew where to look for the tax money.

[GarySpFc]

Now – this is the point of contention: How did these people get these assets? Some had political/economic connections. Others developed them. The biznes-savvy seized the moment. There was not a single asset that was acquired for its actual worth. And anyway, how does one establish the worth of an asset that didn’t have a single honest accounting book to its name?

I read that, but then the article makes it appear that Putin was in the wrong in the Yukos affair. Yukos was stolen from the Russian people, and the people have been clamoring for the government to right the wrong. Putin agreeded to leave the oligarchs alone if they stayed out of politics and paid their taxes. Mikhail Khodorkovsky did neither, and Putin knew where to look for the tax money.

[KiraZ]

The russian people dont clamor to the government about corrupted police that rob hard working people every day, as they get home from work. They don't clamor when their pensions are lowered or when their water is turned off. What makes you think they are clamoring for justice in the Khodorkovsky case? In countries where mass media is state-controlled (and there it is), opinion is created, not followed. There are many many others to investigate if justice is what "the russian people" or putin seek.

[KiraZ]

I hate the word mass media. I meant media.

[GarySpFc]

The russian people dont clamor to the government about corrupted police that rob hard working people every day, as they get home from work. They don't clamor when their pensions are lowered or when their water is turned off. What makes you think they are clamoring for justice in the Khodorkovsky case? In countries where mass media is state-controlled (and there it is), opinion is created, not followed. There are many many others to investigate if justice is what "the russian people" or putin seek.

My wife is Russian and we have a second home in Volgograd. My wife and her friends EMPHATICALLY disagree with you. While it is true some of the police are corrupt, they seldom steal from people as they get home. More often than not they steal from the druggies. Furthermore, not all of the MSM is controlled by the government.

[GarySpFc]

BTW, I see you joined Free Republic 6/7/2005. I smell a troll.

[jb6]

The biznes-savvy seized the moment.

After 500 parlimentarians that objected to the Yeltsin-Berezovsky-Gusinsky-Klinton clan's fire sale were butchered by Yeltsin's tanks while Clinton and Albright were hugging the drunk bastard calling him a "great democrat". Please....

[jb6]

. It is easier to rule a poor country, so he will make sure Russia stays poor.

Yup, why he cut the corp tax rate to 24% (14% for IT), 1/3rd off Payroll, 1/2 off VAT and a 13% flat income tax. Why they cut down the size of government, are paying off their debts (and are now creditors to America) and running a sound economic system with 7% growth. That's why for every year in the past 5 years the average citizen's salary has grown by around 4-6% (post inflation) yearly.

[jb6]

Khodorkovsky bought a billion dollars worth of assets for less then $200,000 of which he hasn't bothered to pay a penny, on top of no taxes for 10 years. Yup, and his sec chief is in jail for life for murdering off business rivals and a few former employees. Just a good ole businessman this guy.

[jb6]

They don't clamor when their pensions are lowered or when their water is turned off.

Which pensions? The ones that have gone up 3 fold? By the way, the monitization of "benefits" is a capitalist move from Communist concepts (love how many here were against that, seemingly supporting socialism). Besides, considering that half the pensioners don't live in cities but in the country side, what do you think they'd rather have: free rides on the city metro or money in their pockets to buy things?

[jb6]

My wife is from Russia and I've been there plenty of times, and while the cops leave a lot to be desired, I have never been "robbed" and neither has she.

[annalex]

That is fine, but as the article points out, if investment is not secure under the legal system, the economy suffers regardless of the tax rates.