Nikolai Patrushev, head of the Federal Security Service, the successor to the KGB told the Russian parliament in May that the UK and US and other foreign secret services were trying to bring about revolutions in Russia and other former Soviet countries, using NGOs as cover.



Patrushev had pointed the finger at the US Peace Corps and the UK's Merlin, a medical relief organisation. Both groups and the US and UK embassies issued strong denials.

Nikolai Patrushev, head of the Federal Security Service, the successor to the KGB told the Russian parliament in May that the UK and US and other foreign secret services were trying to bring about revolutions in Russia and other former Soviet countries, using NGOs as cover.

A vow to end foreign political funding

Neil Buckley

7/29/2005

At a meeting with human rights leaders in the Kremlin, Mr Putin said he had information that money from abroad was being funnelled through NGOs to fund political projects, sometimes in "sensitive areas".

"We are against the financing from abroad of political activities [by NGOs] in Russia. I categorically oppose it," Mr Putin said. "No self-respecting state allows this, and neither will we." Mr Putin's remarks echoed the words of Nikolai Patrushev, head of the Federal Security Service, the successor to the KGB. Mr Patrushev told the Russian parliament in May that the UK and US and other foreign secret services were trying to bring about revolutions in Russia and other former Soviet countries, using NGOs as cover.

Patrushev had pointed the finger at the US Peace Corps and the UK's Merlin, a medical relief organisation. Both groups and the US and UK embassies issued strong denials.

"Under the cover of implementing humanitarian and educational programmes in Russian regions, (NGOs) lobby for the interests of certain countries and gather classified information," Mr Patrushev told the Duma.

The statements reflect fears within the Kremlin of a repeat in Russia of revolutions in Ukraine and Georgia in the past two years, in which western-funded NGOs played a role.

Sergei Markov, a political analyst close to the Kremlin who attended the recent meeting, suggested Mr Putin's remarks related to funding of political parties, as well as NGOs "with a semi-political position".

Mr Markov said they were probably aimed at foreign groups such as George Soros' Open Society fund and at exiled Russian "oligarchs" such as Boris Berezovsky and Leonid Nevzlin.

Both Mr Berezovsky, who fled Russia after coming under attack by the authorities shortly after Mr Putin came to power, and Mr Nevzlin, a former business associate of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the Yukos oil chief, who is wanted on criminal charges in Russia, have hinted they might fund opposition groups.

Mr Markov said Mr Putin had referred specifically to the foreign funds flowing into Ukraine before last December's "Orange" revolution, though Putin said the biggest reason for the overthrow of the former regime in Kiev was its weakness and unpopularity.

"This was some kind of reflection that [Mr Putin] doesn't want to repeat their mistakes," Markov said.

But Mr Putin's latest comments came amid pledges to remove bureaucratic obstacles to foreign grants for non-political activities by NGOs, and to increase Russian state and private-sector funding for domestic non-profit organisations.

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Special Events for RPCVs Join the NPCA in DC for Advocacy Day on July 28 NPCA to hold Virtual Leaders Forum on July 29 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 See RPCV Musical "Doing Good" in CA through Sept RPCV Film Festival in DC in October

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July 17, 2005: This Week's Top Stories C. Payne Lucas writes "Can we win the war on HIV/Aids?" 11 July Director Vasquez hints at expansion in Bangladesh 17 July Why didn't I spend my life helping others? 17 July John Beasley returns to the islands of Micronesia 17 July Jennifer Field to study glacier melting 17 July Tucker McCravy works with Serendib in Sri Lanka 17 July David Vick writes "Waging civilized warfare" 16 July Tom Petri says Nelson helped to promote civility 16 July Peace Corps Director Visits Volunteers in Mongolia 15 July John Bridgeland writes "An example for Boomers" 15 July Robert Blackwill says India and US have a great future 15 July Peace Corps debuts new internet recruitment tool 14 July Eight New Country Directors Appointed 13 July Shelton Johnson Honored for Buffalo Soldier program 13 July Bill Lorenz leads trek for Sudanese refugees 12 July Emilie Pryor says Peace Corps ignores Lariam problems 12 July DDN is Award Finalist for reporting on PC Safety 11 July Randy Lewis to hire 200 people with cognitive disabilities 10 July Maryland needs people like Tom Lewis 10 July Dan DeWayne puts on music festival 10 July

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July 9, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Mike Honda says Democratic Party in paradigm shift 6 July Peace Corps Suspends Program in Gabon 8 July Thomas Tighe says Thailand is faring better 8 July Michael Parmly appointed top diplomat in Cuba 7 July Paul Timmreck got his start trailing garbage trucks 7 July Shays says London explosions should be wakeup call 7 July Tom Murphy says: Be Vigilant, But Not Afraid 7 July Gov. Doyle saddened and outraged by London Attacks 7 July RPCV Films organizing Film Festival 6 July Terez Rose writes Aid for Africa – Will the G8 Help? 6 July Carl Youngberg takes ballet to Honduras 6 July Kafatia faces a mandatory eight years in prison 6 July Bill Moyers says LBJ hated FOIA law 6 July Andy and Trudy Anderson work with The Hunger Project 5 July Thomas A. Dine deplores the attack against reporter 5 July Mime Troupe tackles history, politics and the World Bank 4 July Francis Mandanici says investigation could lead to impeachment 4 July Beth Bedinotti says motherhood is "toughest job" 1 July Director Vasquez Visits Volunteers in Eastern Caribbean 1 July

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July 8, 2005: PC suspends program in Gabon Peace Corps announced the suspension of the program in Gabon citing the high cost of the program. In addition, a 2003 Inspector General report documented safety and security costs of $1 million that would be necessary to keep the program operating successfully. Background: In 1998 Peace Corps Volunteer Karen Phillips was was found murdered in the weeds about 100 yards from her home in Oyem, Gabon. Her killer has never been brought to justice.

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