Posted on 12/02/2006 7:36:44 PM PST by jdm
Russian president Vladimir Putin has expressed his anger at Britain's failure to gag Alexander Litvinenko in the final hours of his life, the cabinet has been told.
Margaret Beckett, the foreign secretary, told ministers that the Russian government had “taken exception” to the poisoned former spy’s deathbed letter accusing the Putin regime of murdering him.
This weekend a potential suspect — Andrei Lugovoi — admitted he had been contaminated with the radioactive poison polonium-210 but insisted: “I’ve been framed.”
Beckett, who spoke to her Russian counterpart before Thursday’s cabinet meeting, said the Russians had “seemingly failed to understand” that Litvinenko was under police supervision rather than in custody.
Amid signs that his death could cause a diplomatic row, Tony Blair concluded the cabinet meeting by saying “the most important issue” was likely to be Britain’s long-term relationship with Moscow.
Another minister present said: “It caused some alarm that this case is obviously causing tension with the Russians. They are too important for us to fall out with them over this.”
Putin’s aides see Litvinenko’s letter, in which he described the Russian president as “barbaric and ruthless”, as a carefully orchestrated public relations stunt, timed to coincide with the leader’s appearance at the Russia-European Union summit in Helsinki.
Foreign Office officials yesterday confirmed the Russians had raised the issue of Litvinenko’s letter with Beckett and British diplomats. Until now, the government has admitted only that the Russians had agreed to assist Scotland Yard with its inquiries.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Well of course he did and he even poisoned his wife so it would really make Putin look bad.
And it has been so for over 150 years, since the days of Disraeli. The history of the 19th century is littered with British pre-occupation with the Russian "threat" to its empire, and hundreds of millions of people paid the price for this British obsession with and undue importance attached to Russia.
So putz, when they shoot you in the head we can laugh and have another shot of vodka, right? It is too important to fall out with them over that, after all.
He is saying 'stop criticizing me for murdering my enemies or you will be next'. Which part don't you understand?
Don't give him any ideas.
Russia is no longer Communist. It is Authoritorian with economic reforms, which Putin deserves credit for. The Russian Economy average 9% growth each year.
Yea, right, it is on it's way back to Communism.
dang, Charles and I are in the same groove. I thought it was so obvious and wondered why.
I heard James Woolsey this morning on Fox (he is in London right now) saying that Russia under Putin has returned to the days of Tsar Nicholas I.
I don't doubt it.
I saw a piece about Russia a few months ago about the man that wants to take Putin's place, when Putin's term runs out.
Well...this guy is NOT the type that Putin wants..because he is more into freedom and stuff....so Putin has not let him have any TV time for campaigning and I think they won't even let him have rallies.
Anyway..this guy has 24/7 bodyguards because he worries for his life...and this was BEFORE that woman reporter was murdered and Litvenenko's murder.
If Putin steps down, as required, I will be absolutely stunned. He was sending a message with Litveneko, I hope the world is finally taking notice. I know a lot here still defend him, but the day he was given his position the hair on the back of my neck stood on end, I think my intuition was working pretty well that day.
Supposedly he has until 2008 according to their "constitution"...but, when one has someone like Putin as leader...do the "rules" matter?
In the case of Putin, he is moving so rapidly now, to consolidate his power, we soon won't recognize the Russia we were moving toward when Reagan left office. They have become an oil giant under what Capitalism they had and now Putin is controlling most of that money.
Geesh! Everyone's running around, pointing the finger at someone else, but looking guilty themselves!
Wonder what we'll see when the commotion dies down....
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