Moscow points the finger of blame at billionaire exile Boris Berezovsky

The Times ^ | November 29, 2006 | Tony Halpin, Richard Beeston and Daniel McGrory

[MadIvan]

I'm not usually in favour of conspiracy theories, but Russia is a land that inspires them. I find it very interesting how every last pro-Russian shill said Berezovsky was to blame right after Litvinenko died...and now look at the echo chamber in the Kremlin.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[The KG9 Kid]

The average Russian is so screwed up, they'll believe any conspiracy theory no matter how flimsy it's logic collapses under even the most elementary scrutiny.

I work with a lot of Russians. Nice guys, but you wouldn't believe the baloney they think is truth. To them, absolutely nothing is as it appears.

I guess that's what growing up in the history's largest prison camp does to the mind.

[1234]

sumptin from Shakespeare: me thinks he doth protest too much-focus: putin

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #3

Add China and Iran. They tend to get tripped up by the web of intrigue they imagined.

[Bon mots]

Berezovsky was his friend and another enemy of Pootie poot.

Evereyone knows Vlad the poisoner did it.

[MadIvan]

Scotland Yard is connecting the dots as we speak.

Regards, Ivan

[beaversmom]

The average Russian is so screwed up, they'll believe any conspiracy theory no matter how flimsy it's logic collapses under even the most elementary scrutiny.

There must be a lot of Russians over at DUmmyland.

[ChiMark]

c'mon, pal, your talking about Massachusettes.

Pukin' Putin really over played his hand.
I'm sure anyone could get Polonium 210 from your nearest
pharmacy.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

Who knows...maybe the killers will drink themselves to death, just like Kim Philby did.

Put up that two finger salute towards Putin.

[Omega Man II]

Sees his soul:

[CutePuppy]

I love conspiracies, but this one is as thin as they come and has no ring of truth in it. Just Putin's shills pointing fingers in all directions to divert attention and make the whole affair "too complicated" (like Clintons' Whitewater was often described by media to avoid reporting.)

One small thing, for starters - Berezovsky had absolutely nothing to gain from killing the guy who was investigating Putin's potential implications in slaying of Russian journalist[s].

[spetznaz]

Personally I'm taking a wait and see approach on this case. While Putin certainly has some skeletons in his closets (by some accounts an entire graveyard of jiggling bones) he is not stupid. Thus it would be weird for him to authorize a hit on someone like Litvinenko (who although troublesome is in actuality not that big of a problem), and to order the hit to be done in such a (rather) stupid manner. The guy took around a month to die! During which time he was able to give interviews that, in essence, painted Putin as the person responsible for his poisoning (and subsequent death).

If the Russians wanted Litvinenko killed there are myriad better ways of doing it, with the ways ranging from the mundane (eg 'blown' tire) to more 'elaborate' methods. There would be no reason to use a relative slow method that is highly exotic and allows the person to shout from the mountaintops how Putin is trying to kill him (particularly just before Putin is scheduled to head to Europe).

Furthermore while Mr. Litvinenko was a thorn in Putin's side, he was not that major of a thorn to warrant such a hit.

Now, if you look at Berezovsky you have a person who has it BIG for Putin. Absolutely hates the guy. Furthermore you have a person who is among the richest people in the world, being one of the billionaire oligarchs. He definitely has the means (you'd be surprised what a resource base of several billion is capable of purchasing), and he has the motive (to discredit Putin before the European meet).

Anyways, did Putin do it? Maybe he was overcome by a spell of sheer and utter stupidity and decided to kill Litvinenko in a manner that left breadcrumbs heading straight to Moscow.

Did Berezovsky do it? Saying 'yes' outright would be the best evidence of prudence, but he does have the means and the motive.

Anyways, I'm not 'defending' Putin. And I am not subscribing to a conspiracy theory. All I am saying is that the manner and mode of death was of a highly-damaging nature when the Russians had access to quite a number of other measures that would have been far more effective (inculding some that would enable them to 'send a message' without smearing themselves in the process). As for Berezovsky ....I am not saying he did it (until evidence comes out saying that he did it then he did NOT do it), but he is definitely capable of doing it.

I'd say both sides are doing exactly what they accuse each other of doing:

pro-Putin types are screaming that Berezovsky did it, and nothing can dissuade them of that 'fact' (even though there is NOT ONE scintilla of proof that Mr. B was involved at all with this case, apart from Mr. Litvinenko having visited him, and yet the pro-Putin types automatically pointed the finger at Berezovsky based on nothing but 'beliefs' and convoluted connections).

Anti-Putin types are doing the same, but in their case adamantly asserting that it had to be Putin (his authorisation) and not even bothering to look at how bizzare it would be for Putin to authorize such a STUPID hit (target doesn't deserve a hit, methodology utilized was seriously flawed, timeframe, creation of a furor just before a major meeting).

I'd rather wait and see what happens. I'm sure the Brits will come up with an answer one way or the other.

[MadIvan]

Exotic hits are not out of character for the KGB. Remember the poisoned umbrella tip that got Georgi Markov?

This is sending a message, not just taking out Litvinenko - Putin is saying, "We can take you out anytime, anywhere - keep quiet, unless you want to die in agony."

That's a powerful message to send.

Regards, Ivan

[BunnySlippers]

It wouldn't take much to plant it.

[RusIvan]

Senior figures in the Russian establishment lined up to implicate Mr Berezovsky, who employed and funded the former KGB spy. ==

Very possible because Berezovskii is the master of political provocations and he hate Putin' guts. Berezovskii did resembling thing once with Ivan Ribkin. Ribkin was the president candidate in 2002 whose Berezovskii financed. Then he disappeared. Bezerovskii began the press campaign accusing the goverment that it killed Ribkin. But Ribkin reappeared suddently in Kiev, Ukraine. He told that unindetified people dugged him and move him to Kiev where they held him in some house under guard. Same time Berezovskii raved and rant on TV.
But Ribkin deceived guards and escaped. Then return to Russia. Berezovskii campaign doomed.

[GarySpFc]

One small thing, for starters - Berezovsky had absolutely nothing to gain from killing the guy who was investigating Putin's potential implications in slaying of Russian journalist[s].

Totally bogus! Berezovsky, known as Godfather of the Kremlin, has more to gain than anyone. His stated goal is for the downfall of the Russian government, and the UK has threatened to deport him if he doesn't shut up. Berezovsky was the first billionaire in Russia. Go to Boris Berezovsky, and read for yourself. While working under Yeltsin he was in charge of billions of reconstruction monies for Chechnya, which vanished. He fled the country when Putin started an investigation into the missing funds. Apparently Berezovsky wasn't satisfied with the billions he stole earlier.

[RusIvan]

I find it very interesting how every last pro-Russian shill said Berezovsky was to blame right after Litvinenko died...==

It is because he is the one who benefits from this scandal. He is teh master of provocations and hates Putin. It is just the motive.
Second thing he had the access to Litvinenko who inturn was his minion. It is opportunity.

The polonium 210 he could buy here. Link: http://www.unitednuclear.com/isotopes.htm . The price isn't big: $69.

[GarySpFc]

pro-Putin types are screaming that Berezovsky did it, and nothing can dissuade them of that 'fact' (even though there is NOT ONE scintilla of proof that Mr. B was involved at all with this case, apart from Mr. Litvinenko having visited him, and yet the pro-Putin types automatically pointed the finger at Berezovsky based on nothing but 'beliefs' and convoluted connections).

Excellent post! I am considered by most to be in the pro-Putin camp. However, I have stated numerous times that while I am of the opinion Berezovsky did it, I honestly do not know, and it could be either Putin, Berezovsky, someone else, or even rogue elements in the GRU or SVR. However, the Russophobes are CERTAIN Putin did it, and they are ready to hang the man. Once again we see the OJ jury.