Posted on 10/25/2004 8:57:49 PM PDT by ofset
Russian spying back in the Cold From correspondents in London 26oct04
RUSSIAN spying in Britain is back to Cold War levels, The Independent newspaper in London reported today, quoting government and security sources.
It said 32 Russian diplomats were involved in attempting to obtain secrets about Britain's military, technical and political capabilities, and information about critics of President Vladimir Putin.
"The level of espionage by the Russians in the United Kingdom is back to Cold War levels," a government source was quoted as saying.
"It is business as usual for the spies."
Britain's domestic intelligence agency MI5 is responsible for counter-intelligence, and it had warned its political boss, Home Secretary David Blunkett, of growing Russian spy activities, The Independent said.
Quoting unnamed intelligence sources, it said that Russia's spy network in Britain was overseen by the Foreign Intelligence Service, or SVR, with about 18 agents claiming diplomatic status in the country.
About 14 agents from Russia's military intelligence agency, known as the GRU, were also posing as diplomats, the newspaper said.
Alex Standish, editor of Jane's Intelligence Digest, told The Independent that there had been a "steady increase" in the number of Russian diplomats posted in Britain.
"If you look at the profile of the individuals, you see a significant proportion of these people are linked to the SVR," he said.
Standish added: "Putin is rapidly building up intelligence systems that have been allowed to fall into decline under the Yeltsin era."
"Thanks; very interesting. I suspect part of this relates to Boris Berezovsky being exiled in London, though that's probably not the whole story"
I have a feeling that Russia regularly ruins those who she has used to do business with the West. Notice how they promote so many Jews to the level of oligarch. That way when it's time to lock them up and throw away the key (for doing business with the West) no one will complain.
"The pessimist in me, however..."
I think it is time to encourage the pessimist in you...in all of us...when it comes to Putin's Russia.
I think anything Russia does is related to what is going on in this world - Period - (and Terrorist would top the list) -
Parts of England are with the US - BUT - remember that nation also has a very active "Left" - nasty as any in the world from what they put out in papers, on TV, etc. - like tied with the Left in the US or worse -
Every nation(including the US, Russia, Italy, etc) should try to investigate them - the Left - in any way they can - in my opinion -
"There are some who worship Putin and say anything negative, or question why he would send the mental "Il" of N.Korea horses for his birthday sets off the most anti-American, Christian bashing epithets..."
Yah, I know what you mean. I even ran into a FReeper a couple day ago who defended the Stalinist dictator of Belarus against the protesteers who claimed the elections were rigged!!! Reagan would be turning over in his grave (God bless his soul).
Ping!
"Every nation(including the US, Russia, Italy, etc) should try to investigate them - the Left - in any way they can - in my opinion"
True enough. But why target Britains strategic nuclear missile facilities, military flights, relationship to the US, etc. If they want to go after terrorists, then let them go after terrorists. Instead, Russia is working overtime to disrupt our alliances, oppose us in the UN, and they are building the conventional and nuclear capability of sworn enemies of the US. Not a very good track record, IMHO.
>>>Hmmmm, let's see: Tony Blair's "Cool Britannia" is busy harboring terrorists from Chechnya as well as several of the oligarchs who looted the Russian economy under the Clinton/Soros/Yeltsin scam.
They are here too. NY/NJ area. Big time.
That was funny!
The Russian spies were actually hoping for Page 3 of the Sun.
It's interesting that both you(ofset) and TapTheSource are both new and are dumping hard on Russia - just wondering if there is a reason - since TapTheSource is posting such dire reasons for the actions of Russia -
I believe what has happened to Russia over the years makes for an interesting study - but before you or anyone else can completely condemn them - more facts should be known -
I mean who would have thought France and Germany would have acted the way they did - about Iraq - and then what happened -? The information came out explaining the oil/food issue - bribes - France's bank getting all that money -
A rush to judgement wouldn't be wise - in my opinion - not with what else is going on in this world today -
>>>But why focus so much espionage activity on Britain, our ally in the War on Terror? Makes no sense.
Britain, Russia, USA all have a common problem.
USA, still cleaning up after Clinton (and carter?)
Russia, still cleaning up after Yeltson
Britain, Blair is still cleaning up
They want the Russian spies in Britian?
They don't need to look any further than the all the slimy faggots and shirt lifters at the BBC.
If they don't work for Al Quaeda, they work as Russain spies.
"Russia, still cleaning up after Yeltson"
I don't get people's infatuation with Putin, or Russia for that matter. Putin is behaving like a dictator, and the Russian Duma just legitimized the Stalinist dictator of Belarus. They oppose the US in just about everything we do. Are we supposed to get all goo-goo eyed and look the other way while they build Iran's nuclear capability...just because they are bombing Chechens? Seems lopsided to me.
"They want the Russian spies in Britian?
They don't need to look any further than the all the slimy faggots and shirt lifters at the BBC."
True enough. The BBC is staffed by socialist slimeballs who hate England almost as much as they hate America.
UKRAINIAN SECURITY SERVICE RAIDS AND SEARCHES U.S.-
FUNDED FREE AND FAIR ELECTION PROGRAM ZNAYU (I KNOW)
Several former US Congressmen at the scene of the search
TV 5 Kanal, Kiev, in Ukrainian, 1400 gmt 22 Oct 04
BBC Monitoring Service, UK, in English, Fri, Oct 22, 2004
KYIV - The Security Service of Ukraine has searched an office of the Znayu (I Know) NGO nine days ahead of the presidential election scheduled for 31 October, the opposition TV channel reported. Znayu is officially funded by the USAID US government programme and is campaigning for a fair election.
The security service seized video tapes and some documents. Police searched offices of the Pora (It is Time) NGO, charged with terrorism, and homes of its activists today. The following is the text of a report by Ukrainian television TV 5 Kanal on 22 October:
[Presenter] Ukraine is getting ready for presidential elections. According to news agency reports and our own observations, nine days prior to the election, there are numerous searches at the offices of public organizations, vigorous checks of transport and a ban on selling tickets to Kiev from the regions. The opposition is saying that the authorities are preparing for a violent scenario of the election. The authorities explain that all their actions are aimed at maintaining public order. With a view to maintaining order, the security service and police began numerous searches at the offices of public organizations and homes of their activists this morning.
These organizations are in some way connected with the forthcoming presidential election. A court issued search warrants as part of an investigation into a criminal case on terrorism, which was launched after explosives or fake explosives were found at the office of the Pora public organization. The video you are watching now shows a search at the flat of Oleh Yatsenko. The security service calls him a Pora activist. He says he is not a member of any organization.
The security service also searched the Kiev offices of the Freedom of Choice NGO and the Znayu NGO. However, the legitimacy of the searches at the offices of these NGOs is questionable because only Pora is mentioned in the criminal case.
Znayu is officially funded by the USAID US government fund. A US congressman and a representative from the US embassy came to the scene of the incident. No explosives were found during the search, but several video tapes and some documents were seized.
A four-hour search at the office of Znayu, which is campaigning for a fair election, surprised experienced international observers, who have been officially registered by the Central Electorate Commission. They witnessed the actions of law-enforcement agencies.
[James Slattery, captioned as an election observer, in English fading into Ukrainian translation] I have observed elections in many countries, including Nicaragua under a Communist regime. But I have not seen anything like this there. I think it is frightening when offices are being occupied, people detained and searches carried out. Observers will report about this to the governments of their countries.
[Video shows Oleh Yatsenko speaking at the threshold of his home, observers showing their ID cards, soldiers from the Berkut special-purpose police unit, observer James Slattery being interviewed.] -30-
>>>>I don't get people's infatuation with Putin, or Russia for that matter.
My biggest thing is, the left doesn't like him. To me, that is credibility.
Russia is not the same governing as the USA. So that can't be compared. I don't agree with how Russia is run; but Bush seems to like Putin and the left doesn't. That is my lead.
>>>They oppose the US in just about everything we do.
Not everything. Putin is and has been heading up the N. Korean Nuc talks. Putin stopped the nonesense sales with Iran. Putin has China in check.
>>>Are we supposed to get all goo-goo eyed and look the other way while they build Iran's nuclear capability...just because they are bombing Chechens? Seems lopsided to me.
Putin stopped the Nuke sale with Iran. That is why Iran put the bounty on Putin's head.
Yup. Soros. Look there. He likes to blog at the Guardian :)
And Soros was kicked out of Moscow with his tail between his legs. Boo-hoo.
Speakers: Anna Politkovskaya (journalist, Novaya Gazeta, Moscow, author: "A Small Corner of Hell: Dispatches from Chechnya");
Dr. Liudmila Bulavka (Russian social movement "Alternatives", senior researcher, Institute of Culture, Russian Academy of Science);
Josep Lluis Gordillo (Platforma Aturem la Guerra, professor of philosophy, University of Barcelona);
Salambek Maigov (Moscow, formerly official representative of Aslan Maskhadov, president of Chechnya).
Chair: Andrew Burgin (Press Officer, Stop the War Coalition, UK)
Date of Event
Sunday 9am-12pm
Format
education/information, testimonies
Location
Alexandra Palace
Venue
Great Hall 6
Brief description
This meeting will discuss:
* the reasons for Russia's war in Chechnya
* its similarities with the US/UK war on Afghanistan and Iraq
* the danger of Russia invading Georgia
* the role of oil in the conflict
* the role of the global anti-war movement in helping end the war
Organisation
Platforma Arturem la Guerra, Barcelona; Russian social movement
"Alternatives"; National Union of Journalists (UK), London Magazines Branch
Sound familiar, any of this?
LONDON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Exiled Chechen rebel envoy Akhmed Zakayev has suffered an arson attack at his home in London, British authorities said on Saturday.
There was minor fire damage but no injuries after Zakayev's home was targeted in the early hours of Friday, they said.
It was unclear who was behind the attack on Zakayev, the exiled deputy of Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov, whom Russia wants to extradite on terrorism charges.
Zakayev has previously predicted Russian security sources may seek to kill him while in Britain. But a Moscow official said that was laughable and suggested the incident may have been concocted for publicity purposes.
Britain's Foreign Office confirmed an arson attack had taken place, but gave no details or comment on the circumstances.
UK police said they were keeping an "open mind" as to the motives for the attack on the controversial Chechen.
"There was minor damage to the front door, but no injuries," a spokeswoman said. "Inquiries continue to establish how the fire was caused. We have not made any arrests."
Zakayev could not be immediately reached, and friends and representatives declined to comment, citing his security.
The Chechen has frequently in the past claimed Moscow agents were out to kill him and other rebels exiled in the West.
"I do not exclude that what they did in Qatar they could try to do in any European country," he told Reuters last month.
Qatar has convicted two Russian agents for a car bomb that killed ex-Chechen rebel leader Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev in February.
"RUSSIA WANTS HIM ALIVE"
But in Moscow, Interfax news agency quoted Russian SVR intelligence service spokesman Boris Labusov as saying it had nothing to do with the incident. "It is laughable even to discuss the possibility of connecting SVR to these incidents," he said.
Zakayev has lived in London since being granted asylum last year after Moscow failed in a bid to extradite him.
Moscow lost an embarrassing case in a British court last year after a judge concluded that evidence it presented against Zakayev was unreliable and probably obtained through torture.
According to Interfax, Russian intelligence service spokesman Labusov stressed Moscow's desire to put Zakayev on trial: "Which means that Russia wants him alive and kicking."
Labusov suggested Zakayev might be looking for publicity. "There have been many cases in history when certain people staged attempts on their lives, trying to attract society's attention to themselves with various goals," he said.
Or, Labusov added, he may have been targeted by relatives or friends of people angry at Chechen involvement in violent incidents such as the recent Beslan school siege.
"We cannot fully rule out such a possibility," he said. Maskhadov and Zakayev describe themselves as Chechen nationalists seeking independence for the province, and say they oppose terrorism and seek a negotiated end to 10 years of war.
But Russia considers any Chechen leader demanding independence, and fighting to achieve it, to be a terrorist and has rejected any suggestion of talking to Maskhadov.
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