Yukos: Russia hits back at U.S.

[Rose Siding]

MOSCOW, Russia -- Russia has hit back at U.S. criticism of prosecutors' handling of a legal case against oil giant Yukos, calling the State Department's remarks "disrespectful."

U.S. State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said Friday that the Kremlin should act to dispel concerns that the arrest of the boss of Yukos, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, was not politically motivated. His comments were echoed by Germany.

"They need to ensure that it's judged fairly and with full regard for due process of law applied in a non-selective fashion," Boucher said.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Yakovenko, speaking to First Channel television on Saturday, said: "This statement is a continuation of a notorious policy of double standards.

"It is, at the very least, tactless and disrespectful towards Russia."

more..........................

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/11/01/yukos/

[La_Serpiente]

1. This is US hypocrisy I believe

true, the Democratic Institutions in Russia are at a turning point right now. However, during the 2000 campaign, Bush said that he would be critical of Russia's vast human rights abuses in Chechnya. However, that all stopped. Even at the press conference when Putin came to the US, Bush didn't say squat and it didn't even come up in the discussion.

He even said that Russia was a great ally.

Only when the head of the largest Oil Company in Russia gets arrested does the US say anything.

[loudnclear]

Did Russia ask the US why Ken Lay has not been arrested?

US arrogance and hypocrisy is unmatched.

[Valarauko]

2. This is probably a political arrest (nt)

(nt)

[DeathvadeR]

3. I knew this wouldn't settle well. Tearing the seam even wider

[MasonJar]

4. The audacity

The audacity of this administration is almost unbearable. This is the cabal that arrests individuals and does not even let their families know, that does not allow them a lawyer, and all the etcs. What moral right or legal standing does such an unAmericsn bunch have to criticize anyone anywhere?

[truthisfreedom]

5. honestly, what can we expect from Russia?

we grew up in the 60's and 70's cheering their black market blue jeans and urging on the corruption of communism. what is a society with such an enormous history of capitalistic corruption supposed to do when they experience some serious growth and change? of course it's a mess. it's going to be a mess for a long time, and aside from those people on the inside who understand exactly what is going on, there's little we Americans can do but look on at situations like this and shake our heads and hope for the best. really, anything could be happening... the whole thing is just not built on a capitalistic model. it's some kind of mutant, and it suffers from disease for which there is no easy cure.

[AP]

6. I bet there's a huge UNTOLD story behind this.

I bet Bush was working with this oil company to take over Russian politics and Puty-put is playing defense, fending off the fascists.

[hang a left]

7. Yep, I bet there is a whole bunch of story we aren't getting.

Wasn't father satan there a few weeks ago?

What is so classic is Boucher's statement about the due process of law being applied and in a non-selective fashion. What country is he talking about?

[htuttle]

8. Knight takes Bishop

Check.

[Zhade]

9. From what I recall...

Yukos just signed a deal with ExxonMobil for work in the Caspian Basin.

Dmitry Medvedev, the head of Gazprom (an enormous natural gas company) has just been selected to replace Alexander Voloshin, who resigned his position as the Kremlin's chief of staff in protest over the arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, head of Yukos. Gazprom has a "nominal stake" in Caspian work done in a joint venture between Yukos and Lukoil.

There's much more to this story than we're seeing at this point. I'll hazard a guess and say we're seeing Peak Oil Politics in action here.

[Beetwasher]

13. Bingo!

Put this in perspective of Russia's recent agreements w/ Saudi Arabia and Iran. Russia's making a big move. I'll bet this guy they arrested was Bushco. partner and NOT on Russia's side.

[AP]

19. Russian gov't is probably looking at US as cautionary tale about letting..

...the oil cos become the de facto government, and they're trying to avoid it.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[9215]

11. "Due f--inking process"?????????????????????????????????????

Like Iraq got before we invaded them????

Boucher wants fascism to reign.

Stay the fuck out of Russia's internal affairs.

[Flying_Pig]

12. Maybe Putin is doing what we should be doing here, and putting the

heads of our oil conglomorates in jail? Look what they've done here. They've helped overthrow our democracy, and installed G.W. Bush, they rip our Treasury off for billions, they receive billions more in tax breaks and corporate welfare, and they get the goverrnment to invade other nations to control their oil.

Maybe Putin is on to something, and he's trying to stop it before it becomes likethe U.S., where they control virtually everything?

[chasqui]

14. Maybe he is

He is asserting the power of the state over the power of the corporation. I believe that the Russians are intensely patriotic about Mother Russia, and they are not going to tolerate - especially not the faction that is represented by the KGB - the emergence of foreign influence in their country. If I am not mistaken, these oil oligarchs made their money & influence during Boris Yeltsin's alcohol addled 90's, and it does not surprise me that someone like Putin is putting an end to those excesses, albeit in a most political manner. Think of it as a purging of american influences.

[jokerman93]

15. That's a Bold Speculation

And I would sincerely love for it to be true -- but one thing you don't seem to be accounting for is:

If Putin is so concered with Democracy in his own country, why would he use such a blunt Soviet style intervention?

If my Russian friends are any indication, there's serious anxiety out there at the moment this might mark an evolution to some kind of "Putingrad" Communism.

[htuttle]

16. The IRS seized Al Capone's entire holdings for the same crime

They more recently seized Willy Nelson's entire assets for tax inconsistencies.

Were those 'blunt Soviet-style interventions'?

[jokerman93]

17. Nope!

Democracy in Action

:toast:

[chasqui]

18. There is a point you are missing here

It is that the term 'Democracy' in american terms is really code for 'American Corporate influenced Democracy.' The idea of the Soviet bloc was to create an alternative economic system that would break with the traditional european/american centers of influence. I see Putin's moves as just another chapter in that saga....