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Kremlin divided against itself
UPI ^ | May 24, 2005 | Peter Lavelle

Posted on 05/25/2005 8:24:17 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

Part of the Kremlin's damage control campaign as it assaulted Khodorkovsky and Yukos was to present foreign investors with an enticing investment alternative to Yukos. Yugansk was to be merged with the last remaining state-own oil company Rosneft and later that new entity would be added to the portfolio of natural gas giant Gazprom. Collectively, these three companies would be poised to not only to become the largest energy conglomerate in the world, but also able to compete with petroleum cartel OPEC. This new energy giant and Russia's new national champion would be open foreign investors. At present, foreign investment in Gazprom is limited and regulated by the state.

To fight the "Oligarch War" Putin empowered groups of individuals from the security services. This group, called the "Siloviki" (people of power), continues to flex their muscles. Instead of handing over the assets such as Rosneft and Yugansk to Gazprom, the "Siloviki" appear to sees such assets as rightfully earned spoils of war.

Russia's liberals, never a united group, are at odds more than ever. Government liberals such as Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin and Economics Minister German Gref often spar with Kremlin liberals Andrei Illarionov and Igor Shuvalov over economic policy, with Russia's liberal political parties Yabloko and Union of Right Forces disagreeing with liberals in the government and the Kremlin.

Even more worrying is the splits within the ranks of the "Siloviki." After declaring victory in the "Oligarch War," they have started to circle around each other - jealously jockeying for influence and power over economic policy. Notables such as Gazprom head Alexei Miller and Kremlin deputy chief of staff Igor Sechin are locked in battle over Russia's energy future.

(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: siloviki

1 posted on 05/25/2005 8:24:18 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: Tailgunner Joe

STupid article. But this paasage is remarkarbly stupid:).

"To fight the "Oligarch War" Putin empowered groups of individuals from the security services. This group, called the "Siloviki" (people of power), continues to flex their muscles. Instead of handing over the assets such as Rosneft and Yugansk to Gazprom, the "Siloviki" appear to sees such assets as rightfully earned spoils of war. "

"Siloviki" on russian means just "enforcerers". It is not security services. It is military, police, court marshals. They doesn't make managing decisions. They carries orders.

Toi fight "oligakh war" Putinm need just to enforce exsisting law. Because such people like Khodorkoskii are plain mafia. And for his acts he would get something like 100 years in prison by american law.

Why you so like Khodorkovskii? Because he plandered Russia?


2 posted on 05/25/2005 3:10:03 PM PDT by RusIvan
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To: RusIvan

So were the Gestapo just "police." The siloviki are ex-KGB just like Putin. I don't sympathize with Mr.K., I just think the "strong men" are worth keeping an eye on too. Putin is against some oligarchs, but not all...


3 posted on 05/25/2005 3:24:36 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: Tailgunner Joe

The siloviki are ex-KGB just like Putin. ==

"Siloviki" is an "enforcerers". Nothing less or more. If you don't know something about Russia then it is not fault since you are not russian and you never be there. But you should not insist on your mistakes.

Putin is against some oligarchs, but not all...==

It is true at the moment. But as some russian proverb says: "the beginning is most difficult".
SO I didn't lose hope that others will follow.


4 posted on 05/26/2005 2:52:45 AM PDT by RusIvan
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To: RusIvan

Igor Sechin, Viktor Ivanov, Vladimir Osipov, Sergei Ivanov, Viktor Cherkesov. All were KGB. That's who I'm talking about. Who are you talking about?


5 posted on 05/26/2005 12:14:34 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Igor Sechin, Viktor Ivanov, Vladimir Osipov, Sergei Ivanov, Viktor Cherkesov. All were KGB. That's who I'm talking about. Who are you talking about?==

They are from intellegence (1st Directorate). They were NOT from 5th Directorate (the political police). Here in russia everyone knows difference. But you are not.
So people are for Putin and his team. The intellegence differ from thugs of CheKa.
You know KGB includeds many things: even goverment body guards and border guards, secure communications. Hence KGB run communication satellites. KGB stand for Commitee.

Those guys are former spies of USSR. But many people in power in Russia today was something during USSR time. Educated folk. But russian nationalists. All of them.

But they who destroyed and disbanded USSR. Or didn't pervent it on purpose. They and people like them.
Notice they did that by themselves without any help of outside just by thier nationalistic feelings. They did it for Russia not for West.
Maybe that is root of suspicion? No help from miriad of NGOs of West, very surprise and hence very suspicious for westerners?


6 posted on 05/26/2005 2:56:49 PM PDT by RusIvan
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Conrinue.

Whom Putin still have to put in prison are many else oligarkhs like Khodorkovskii. They are all scums and thieves. I don't know even one of them which is deserved smallest bit of respect.
For thier deeds anyone of them would get under US law 100 years in prison easy.
I hate these scoundrels.

So even Putin put in prison only one now the I hope he will continue trend. Or next president of Russia will continue.

I always very sad when you and other westerners defend Khodorkovskii. You go against major public opinion of russians and hence allienate yourself. People can forget many things but people won't forget thieves who robbed them and thier supporters.
I know you do that out of ill-information but people in Russia may think that you do it on purpose to make bad to them.


7 posted on 05/26/2005 3:07:13 PM PDT by RusIvan
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To: RusIvan
Putin has even referred to himeself as a Chekist. These KGB thugs are proud of their communist record of brutality.

I have never defended Khodorkovsky. You have me mistaken with someone else.

8 posted on 05/26/2005 3:19:52 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Putin has even referred to himeself as a Chekist.==

He did once when they celebrated yubilee of thier intelegence service. Historically they are called "chekists".
But anyway they are not political police. Just spies.

I have never defended Khodorkovsky. You have me mistaken with someone else.==

Sorry then I had mistaken. I red so much articles about that "repressed" Khodorkovskii that I mistook who posted them.

I did never say that Putin and his team are ideal. But they are best under surcumstances.
They do not want to recreate commie regime or especially proud about soviet past. Putin told that many times.
They who destroyed that commie regime. They want now to develop national Russia.
They do mistakes. People know it. Putin is critisized for that. But he is still choice of free election.


9 posted on 05/26/2005 10:42:48 PM PDT by RusIvan
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To: RusIvan

The SS had its own intelligence wing too. They called it the Sichertheitsdienst - the SD. You're right, we americans don't make a distinction between "good KGB" and "bad KGB."


10 posted on 05/27/2005 2:03:33 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Steady Joe. Your messing with Directorate 28.


11 posted on 05/27/2005 7:27:33 PM PDT by j23
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