Russia and the rule of law: Poisoning case underscores Europe's doubts

[maddezmom]

MOSCOW: From the day Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB officer, died of polonium poisoning in London last November, officials in Russia treated the investigation of his death as if it were simply a matter of bad public relations. They dismissed accusations of Russian involvement as nonsense fabricated by President Vladimir Putin's enemies.

Last week, Britain punctured Russia's strategy. A decision by the Crown Prosecution Service to accuse another former KGB officer of the murder and demand his extradition pushed Russia out of the international court of public opinion and into the international court of law.

If recent history is any guide, Russia will not fare well, and the consequences could be profound, deepening the political, diplomatic and social rift between Russia and its European neighbors. In proceeding after proceeding, Russia's actions have withered under the scrutiny of international justice. As a result, the very concepts of law and justice have become touchstones for larger fears about how Putin amasses and uses power, and whether he is returning Russia to habits that brought Europe grief in the past.

The implicit criticism in these proceedings has profoundly irritated Putin's Kremlin, and that defensiveness has, in turn, only further disappointed those in the West who once hoped Russia would emerge from the Soviet collapse as a member in good standing of the club of democratic, law-abiding nations.

more;http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/27/news/russia.php

[William769]

1. Apparently Gay bashing is still the rage there also.

Go figure.

[DFW]

2. Putin is ex-(?) KGB

He rules the place increasingly like his background
has taught him: secretively, tolerating no deviation
from the norm--HIS norm.

I've been to Russia, speak the language enough to get by,
and although it's a fascinating place, they play by a
completely different set of rules from the west. Today, it's
not CPUSSR apparatchiks that run the place, but the set-up is
the same: a small elite rules the place, and controls the money.
Play along, and you're in. Rock the boat, and they'll put you in
jail or kill you, depending on the whim of Putin's inner circle.
The only difference is that organized crime is now extremely
powerful and kills without asking for permission, and doesn't need
to provide excuses later, and the Russian Orthodox church is now
encouraged instead of supressed. All other religions need not apply.

Putin is not our friend. He'll do what advances the interests of his
own circle, and cloak it under Russian national interests/security.
No wonder Bush looked into his soul. He saw what he thought he could
be ("as long as I'm the dictator"). But Putin had decades of experience
as a KGB officer under his belt. Bush had frat parties. The difference
in their respective training backgrounds shows.