January 17, 2003 - The Sacramento Bee: Putin's cover-up

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2003: 01 January 2003 Peace Corps Headlines: January 17, 2003 - The Sacramento Bee: Putin's cover-up

By Admin1 (admin) on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 9:50 am: Edit Post

Putin's cover-up





Read and comment on this editorial from The Sacramento Bee on recent events in Russia that suggest a reversion to Russia's historic suspicion of foreigners. Americans and other foreigners living and working in Russia have been denied visa renewals, and Moscow has asked Washington to end Peace Corps operations in Russia because, officials say, it's no longer needed. Perhaps; yet the head of FSB, the Russian intelligence agency, also complained that Peace Corps volunteers have been "collecting information about the sociopolitical and economic situation in Russian regions." That sounds like a complaint straight out of the Cold War. Old habits of mind, it seems, die hard. Read the editorial at:

Editorial: Putin's cover-up*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.



Editorial: Putin's cover-up

Referendum in Chechnya is a sham

Bee Editorial Staff

Published 2:15 a.m. PST Friday, January 17, 2003

Vladimir Putin won the Russian presidency by promising voters he would crack down hard on the rebels in separatist Chechnya. He has done that with a vengeance (literally and figuratively), but has failed to defeat the rebels or bring peace to the ravaged republic. Rather than sensibly seeking a negotiated settlement, however, Putin is now resorting to the kind of crude tactics reminiscent of the Soviet regime he once served as a KGB officer.

The world must not be silent in the face of the daily brutality in Chechnya. Putin's repeated attempts to persuade the world, and Russians, that peace is at hand in Chechnya are belied by Russian actions, including steps to prevent outside scrutiny of what's really happening. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which has provided humanitarian aid and -- to the Kremlin's dismay -- frank criticism of Russian brutality against Chechen civilians, has been told to close its small mission there.

Prudential
Other moves suggest a reversion to Russia's historic suspicion of foreigners. Americans and other foreigners living and working in Russia have been denied visa renewals, and Moscow has asked Washington to end Peace Corps operations in Russia because, officials say, it's no longer needed. Perhaps; yet the head of FSB, the Russian intelligence agency, also complained that Peace Corps volunteers have been "collecting information about the sociopolitical and economic situation in Russian regions."

That sounds like a complaint straight out of the Cold War. Old habits of mind, it seems, die hard.

Another of Putin's stratagems is to stage a referendum in which Chechen voters will be asked to approve a constitution that purports to give Chechnya a large degree of autonomy, including its own president and parliament. But those who will be allowed to compete for office have been handpicked by the Kremlin and are unlikely to raise objections to Russian forces' repressive behavior in Chechnya.

Putin defends harsh military tactics as necessary because, he says, the Chechen separatist movement has been hijacked by foreign Muslim extremists linked to the al-Qaida terrorist network. No doubt such elements are present in Chechnya; but the Chechen people have resented and resisted Russian domination for well over a century, since long before militant Islam came to be seen as a threat.

The Bush administration, which needs Russian cooperation in the war against terrorism, the confrontation with Iraq and other critical foreign policy matters, has accordingly muted its criticism of Moscow. But if the White House dare not risk offending Putin by denouncing his shabby tactics, others must -- not only human rights groups and editorial pages, but also independent voices in Congress and elsewhere. There are terrorists in Chechnya. The world needs to be reminded that some of them wear Russian army uniforms.
Background on the Peace Corps in Russia



Read more background on the Peace Corps in Russia at:

Special Report: From Russia with Love 1 January 2003


Analysis and Discussion of PC Expulsion from Russia
In response to "Foreigners Wonder Who Will Be Next" 17 January 2003
New Wariness in Russia Toward Help From West 16 January 2003
Russian-US ties strained over Peace Corps 15 January 2003
End of Peace Corps an Opportunity Lost 15 January 2003
Russian Actions against Peace Corps make Foreigners Wonder Who Will Be Next 13 January 2003
A Russian looks at the Peace Corps and the Federal Security Service 8 January 2003


PCVs leaving Russia with regret
Peace Corps Volunteers leaving Russia with regret 14 January 2003


PC out of Russia in 90 days
Peace Corps to depart Russia within 90 days 10 January 2003


Russia Turns Away Labor Activist
Now Russia Turns Away U.S. Labor Activist 9 January 2003


PC Rep won't waste words on spying charges
Peace Corps' Man in Moscow won't waste words on the spying charges 5 January 2003


Peace Corps responds to Russian Allegations
Peace Corps responds to Russian suggestions of intelligence gathering 3 January 2003


Peace Corps disappointed with Russian decision
Exclusive: Peace Corps disappointed with Russian decision 27 December 2002


Moscow to abandon Peace Corps agreement
New York Times: Russia bars future U.S. Peace Corps workers 28 December 2002

Pravda: Moscow informs Washington of intention to abandon Peace Corps agreement 27 December 2002

Associated Press: Russia Rejects U.S. Peace Corps 27 December 2002


US Ready to Remove Peace Corps From Russia
U.S. Ready to Remove Peace Corps From Russia, Citing Disputes 17 December 2002


Russian Spy claims "groundless" says US
Russian claims about Peace Corps volunteers "groundless" says US Embassy 16 December 2002


KGB accuses PCVs of "suspicious activities"
Update: KGB Chief says PCVs involved in suspicious activities 15 December 2002

KGB chief accuses Peace Corps workers of spying in Russia 15 December 2002


KGB refuses visas to religious workers
Russia refuses visas to religious workers 2 November 2002


What RPCVs say about the situation
Exclusive: Read the advice RPCVs gave the Peace Corps in August 18 August 2002


Russia is cooling to the Peace Corps
Time Magazine says Russia "Cooling To the Corps" 23 August 2002

Radio Free Europe makes the Case for the Peace Corps in Russia 18 August 2002

Secretary of State Powell makes no progress on Peace Corps visas with Russian foreign minister 14 August 2002


Russia refuses visas for Peace Corps Volunteers
Peace Corps Moscow chief denies allegations of non-professionalism 13 August 2002

Russia Ousting Dozens Of Peace Corps Volunteers 12 August 2002



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