Wednesday, May 26, 2004
"Out the Soviet Union's ashes" by Spartacus
Vladimir Putin addresses the Nation 05/26/2004 14:54
In his annual address to the Federal Council Vladimir Putin declared that there will be no revision of the fundamental principles of Russian politics.
"Strengthening of our State system is often being purposely misinterpreted as authoritarianism," stated the president.
Devotion to democratic valuables has been dictated by the will of our people, remarked Putin.
"There will be no revision of fundamental principles of our politics," stated he.
Saturday, May 22, 2004
"Russia is ready to sell the Kurile Islands to Japan" by Spartacus
Interesting article in the Pravda today about the Kurile Islands.
On the eve of the new round of negotiations on the Kurile Islands ownership, the Japanese are conducting wild propagandist campaign in the Russian-language Internet.
Recently the following information appeared on the animation website, "Don't mix the Northern and Central Kuriles and another group of the islands - the Southern Kuriles. The Northern Kuriles were a part of Russian Empire until 1847, and then they were given to Japan, but the Southern Kuriles have always been owned only by one state - Japan. The four islands of the Southern Kuriles are the sticking point of Russian-Japanese relations (Shikotan, Kunashir, Iturup and Khabomai range), until 1947 the islands were always owned by Japan. By the way, the Japanese Naval base from where the Japanese squadron went to bomb Pearl Harbor, was located in Iturup island".
Meanwhile, Russian political elite seems to be inclined to sell the Kuriles "in exchange of peace". According to Gazeta.ru, "Head of State Duma Committee on International Relations Dmitry Rogozin estimated the Kureles at $2.5 trillion".
According to the Institute of Fishery located in Kamchatka region, warm flow Kurosio and cold flow Oyasio bring enormous quantity of biomass to the Southern Kuriles. This biomass in the form of fish was taken by Russian fishing boat from all the regions of the Far East. This fish helped Communists to avoid regime collapse much earlier than in 1991. There was no threat of famine when tins of the Kuriles fish were in stock of all Russian food-stores. And the source of fish created by the sea flows, is eternal. And it would be stupid to kill the hen laying gold eggs.
The negotiantions on the destiny of this "hen" started in 1991. At that time, Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevarnadze gave the shelf of the Bering Sea to Americans. Salmon migrates along the shelf to Eastern Kamchatka. If Japanese put several kilometers of nets in the Southern Kuriles, Kamchatka will have no fish. In addition, if Russia gives up the Southern Kuriles, the Okhotsk Sea will gain the status of international sea, and foreigners will claim its rich fish resources as well.
By the way, the Kuriles were not always owned by Japan. Several years before the Russo-Japanese war, Russians exchanged them to the half of Sakhalin island. Today the islands are important because this are is rich of oil.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring Khabarovsk region, Damansky island and the Tumannaya river were given away to China.
Today the Chinese are going to construct super-port Tumangan near the border between Russia and North Korea. The port is going to surpass Rusian seaports Vladivostok and Nakhodka in the Pacific. Allowing foreign Navy and in Okhotsk Sea will mean having foreign military presence in your own territory.
Surprisingly, we are fighting in Chechnya where there are no Russians left, and oil reserves have been exhausted, but the big areas rich of oil and fish can be given away for nothing.
by Valery Davydov
Spartacus
Thursday, May 13, 2004
"Qatar court handles Russians accused of Yandarbiyev murder" by Spartacus
13.05.2004, 15.56
DUBAI, May 13 (Itar-Tass) - A Qatari court held another meeting on Thursday over the case against two Russian citizens accused of involvement in the murder of Chechnya’s ex-president Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev.
The court heard the testimony of a witness of defence, who is an employee of a car rental service.
The next court sitting, at which another witness of defence will speak, has been set for May 17.
Russia’s consul in Doha Maksim Maksimov attended the court meeting.
He asked to be given the floor in the capacity of a witness, but the court denied it to him, saying that Maksimov was present at all previous sittings and was informed how they went.
Spartacus
Thursday, April 15, 2004
"Pakistani Tells of North Korean Nuclear Devices"
From the New York Times
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 13, 2004
Pakistani Tells of North Korean Nuclear Devices
By DAVID E. SANGER
ASHINGTON, April 12 — Abdul Qadeer Khan, the Pakistani scientist who sold nuclear technology around the world, has told his interrogators that during a trip to North Korea five years ago he was taken to a secret underground nuclear plant and shown what he described as three nuclear devices, according to Asian and American officials who have been briefed by the Pakistanis.
If Dr. Khan's report is true, it would be the first time that any foreigner has reported inspecting an actual North Korean nuclear weapon. Past C.I.A. assessments of North Korea's nuclear capacity have been based on estimates of how much plutonium it could produce and assessments of its technical capability to turn that plutonium into weapons.
Monday, March 15, 2004
"Putin...! Why not?! by Spartacus
Putin has won! Long live Putin! Yes, you're right, 71.2% is really too much, but these are the results of "democratic" elections and express the will of the Russian people. Do we want to interfere with this outcome? Of course not...! Unless it is out of fear or envy! George Bush and Tony Blair will not find a better ally than Vladimir Putin in the war against terrorism! And they may need him soon!
Spartacus
Friday, March 12, 2004
"Russia v Qatar!" by Spartacus
Qatar has extended by a month the detention of two Russian security agents accused of killing Chechnya's former President Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev.
Lawyers from Moscow-based Yegorov, Puginsky, Afanasyev and Partners said that they were asked by the government to defend the suspects, who were arrested Feb. 19.
The detainees have met with a Russian consular official only twice since then, and a third meeting on Saturday was canceled due to "technical reasons". Lawyer Dmitry Afanasyev and his assistants have not been able to receive a Qatari visa.
Lawyers from Britain and the United States, including former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and a former U.S. ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission, Jerome Shestack, are also working on the Russians' defense, Radio Russia reported Thursday.
Spartacus
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
"Qatar v Russia!" by Spartacus
The term of detaining the two Russians arrested in Qatar and suspected of assassinating Chechen terrorist emissary Zelimkhan Yandarbiev, has been extended by one more month. A Moscow diplomat said to ITAR-TASS news agency that earlier Russia requested Qatar authorities to let Russian doctors conduct medical checkup of the arrested men.However Qatar has not agreed so far. The negotiations are in progress, there are still hopes that it is possible to release the arrested men", said the diplomat.
Spartacus
Friday, March 05, 2004
"Russian threats win!" by Spartacus
Doha may release two Russian security agents shortly, Qatari media are speculating. Local media say that Russia had detained two Qatari athletes in Moscow in a move largely seen as Moscow’s response to the 19 February arrest of its two agents on suspicion of murdering former Chechen rebel president Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev.
Justice is the loser today!
Spartacus
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
"Russian Threats!" by Spartacus
It doesn't seem to come to an end the dispute between Qatari authorities and the Russian government, in respect of the murder of Chechen leader Yandarbyiev and the consequent detention of two Russian security officers in Doha! The Russians are putting heavy pressure on the Qatari government for the release of the two Russian nationals, which are believed to have carried out the assassination of Yandarbyiev. 
The Russian government claims that the officers arrested were posted to the Russian embassy in Qatar to help in the "fight against terrorism," in particular terrorist financing.
Over the weekend, Russia has detained two Qatari nationals in Moscow, Middle East Newsline reported. Qatari sources said the arrest of the Qatari wrestlers – on their way to a tournament in Serbia to prepare for the 2004 Olympic Games – was meant to blackmail Doha into releasing the suspected Russian intelligence agents.
Spartacus
Saturday, February 28, 2004
"Does Col. Qaddafi remember Imam Moussa Sadr?" by Spartacus
Dear Pres. Bush, dear Mr. Blair
As things are changing quite dramatically (and positively) in your relationship with Col. M. Qaddafi, would you be so kind as to ask him, at your next meeting, if he knows the whereabouts of Imam Moussa Sadr, who was abducted in the course of an official trip to Libya 25 years ago, and whose fate remains unknown.
Spartacus
Friday, February 27, 2004
"Jury sympathises with Neo-Nazi thugs" by Spartacus
A court of jury has acquitted two of the five youths accused of staging a riot at a market in Moscow and asked the judge to show leniency towards the other participants of the attack.
Only three of the estimated 200 skinheads, who marked Hitler’s birthday in April 2001 by rampaging through the Yasenevo market, will be held responsible. Read here
On 24/4/2001 a lenghty article by the Union of Councils for Jews in the former USSR warned the soviet authorities about the racial threats and intimidations of extreme right-wing youths in the area of Yasenevo. The publication of a racist magazine "Russky Khozyain" by chief editor Aleksandr Chervyakov, being the focal point of activity against "foreigners". The whole story here
Simple question: "Are we going from one extreme to the other in democratic Russia?"
Spartacus
Thursday, February 26, 2004
"In the name of God, as always, they want to kill us all!" by Spartacus
What follows is a terrifying letter by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, influential leader of al-Qaida, issued only few days ago! In his own words, the non-muslim population of the world is going to succumb very soon to the wrath of the Jihad. He praises the martyrs who have caused death and terror to many innocent people all over the world, and promises imminent attacks against "the crusaders" (?) and against other arab countries, unmoved by his call to the Jihad.
The war between two civilisations has started already. One side uses terror, the other "diplomacy"! The outcome could be catastrophic...
If you haven't eaten yet, feel free to read it here.
Spartacus
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
"Now even the Chechens are joining in" by Spartacus
According to western special services, influential member of al-Qaida leadership Abu Musab al-Zarqawi called upon 1,500-2,000 guerillas, staying in Chechnya, to go to Iraq and fight against the US forces. The information was reported by America's The Time with reference to facts obtained from French expert on international terrorism Roland Jacquard.
Roland Jacquard mentioned that in January al-Zarqawi circulated an audiotaped appeal to Moslems of the world to join the fighting against the US in Iraq. (see today's Pravda)
Al-Zarqawi, 37, in the 1990s joined al-Qaida and became a field commander in a perfectly trained terrorist group, Ansar al-Islam.
Americans are searching for al-Zarqawi and believe the terrorist is hiding somewhere in the Sunite triangle in Iraq.
Last Thursday, US Secretary of State Colin Powell announced that al-Zarqawi is keeping close contacts with the al-Qaida top management, holds a high position in the terrorist organization and is considered bin Laden's confidant.
Spartacus
Saturday, February 14, 2004
"Comrade Ivan Petrovich...do us a favour!" by Spartacus
Please, please, Ivan Petrovich Rybkin...refrain from telling us yet another story about your disappearance from Russia!
Please, dont do it again! We are grown-ups and dont believe in fairy tales anymore!
Do it at least for the 1% of the Russians, who were going to vote for you before your disappearance!
None of the Russian presidential candidates were ever bothered by your candidacy and nobody had any intention to jeopardize your prospect of success in the forthcoming Russian presidential elections. You know why and we also know why!
In all confidence, do us a favour: be your own man!
Spartacus
Friday, February 06, 2004
"Putin's possessions!" by Spartacus
There is so much I'd like to say about the following article! But, thankfully, there is a lot more on which to reflect and ponder...!
Central Elections Committee has made President's income records public.
"Central Elections Committee of the Russian Federation has published income records for 1999-2002 of the Russian President Putin and his wife. Putin's total income for 1999-2002 constituted 7 million 799 thousands 637 rubles. President's administration, administrative department of presidential businesses and Federal Security Services of the Russian Federation constitute the main income sources of the Russian President.
In addition, Vladimir Putin receives copyright royalties for his literary works from the following publishing houses: ZAO "Izdatelstvo Olma Press" and "Arnoldo Mondadodi Editor Library Illustrate." Also, he profited from selling real estate.
Vladimir Putin owns a piece of land (1500 sq meters) in Moscow suburbs. There are no houses there. In addition, he owns a flat (77 sq meters) in St. Petersburg as well as two garages in the city. Putin does not own a car.
V. Putin possesses several personal accounts: in OAO "Promishlenno-Stroitelny Bank" (498, 128 rubles), in Savings Bank of the Russian Federation (3 million 257 thousands 903 rubles) and in Baltisky Bank (61 thousands 407 rubles). He also possesses shares of OAO "Bank of St. Petersburg"-0,00015%.
In addition, Putin is entitled to use his Moscow's flat (153,7 sq meters) as well as a 18 sq meter garage.
Total income of president's wife Ludmila Putina for 1999-2002 constitutes 11,000 rubles. She has an account in OAO "Promishlenno-Stroitelny Bank" (11, 752 rubles) and an account in Savings Bank of the Russian Federation (4 million 401 thousands 182 rubles). Ludmila Putina owns neither any real estate nor cars."
Astonishing, isn't it? If you want to read it in today's Pravda, just click here.
Spartacus
(0) comments
Central Elections Committee has made President's income records public.
"Central Elections Committee of the Russian Federation has published income records for 1999-2002 of the Russian President Putin and his wife. Putin's total income for 1999-2002 constituted 7 million 799 thousands 637 rubles. President's administration, administrative department of presidential businesses and Federal Security Services of the Russian Federation constitute the main income sources of the Russian President.
In addition, Vladimir Putin receives copyright royalties for his literary works from the following publishing houses: ZAO "Izdatelstvo Olma Press" and "Arnoldo Mondadodi Editor Library Illustrate." Also, he profited from selling real estate.
Vladimir Putin owns a piece of land (1500 sq meters) in Moscow suburbs. There are no houses there. In addition, he owns a flat (77 sq meters) in St. Petersburg as well as two garages in the city. Putin does not own a car.
V. Putin possesses several personal accounts: in OAO "Promishlenno-Stroitelny Bank" (498, 128 rubles), in Savings Bank of the Russian Federation (3 million 257 thousands 903 rubles) and in Baltisky Bank (61 thousands 407 rubles). He also possesses shares of OAO "Bank of St. Petersburg"-0,00015%.
In addition, Putin is entitled to use his Moscow's flat (153,7 sq meters) as well as a 18 sq meter garage.
Total income of president's wife Ludmila Putina for 1999-2002 constitutes 11,000 rubles. She has an account in OAO "Promishlenno-Stroitelny Bank" (11, 752 rubles) and an account in Savings Bank of the Russian Federation (4 million 401 thousands 182 rubles). Ludmila Putina owns neither any real estate nor cars."
Astonishing, isn't it? If you want to read it in today's Pravda, just click here.
Spartacus
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
"Two mayors, two morals!" by Spartacus
The mayor of Bordeaux, former french Prime Minister Alain Juppe', has been found guilty of bribery by the tribunal of Nanterre and therefore condemned to eighteen months of prison and ten years of political "ineligibilite'" .
"Je reste", said he to million of television viewers, astonished by his decision. He will continue his political activities as if nothing happened to tarnish his reputation!
Thousands of miles from France, another scandal was unfolding, involving this time the mayor of another city, Busan (or Pusan), second largest city of South Korea, accused and found guilty of bribery.
His response to the verdict was very different from the one taken by Mr. Juppe': he committed suicide in jail!
Spartacus
(0) comments
"Je reste", said he to million of television viewers, astonished by his decision. He will continue his political activities as if nothing happened to tarnish his reputation!
Thousands of miles from France, another scandal was unfolding, involving this time the mayor of another city, Busan (or Pusan), second largest city of South Korea, accused and found guilty of bribery.
His response to the verdict was very different from the one taken by Mr. Juppe': he committed suicide in jail!
Spartacus
Monday, February 02, 2004
"Russian threats to British companies" by Spartacus
This one looks really nasty...
Have a look and think what's going to happen next! I know! Do you?
It's an article, which appeared today in the Pravda, and you can read it here.
Will the new democratic Russia defeat the oldest democracy in Europe?
We shall see! It looks like a good old football game, and Chelsea F.C. is playing too!
Spartacus
(0) comments
Have a look and think what's going to happen next! I know! Do you?
It's an article, which appeared today in the Pravda, and you can read it here.
Will the new democratic Russia defeat the oldest democracy in Europe?
We shall see! It looks like a good old football game, and Chelsea F.C. is playing too!
Spartacus
Sunday, February 01, 2004
"Interview with Omar Bakri" by Spartacus
Here are some worrying excerpts of an interview to Omar Bakri, a London based Imam, published today by the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
"...a new terrorist attack, more spectacular than that of Sept. 11, is possible. Every Muslim in the world is waiting for the good news..."The "unofficial" spokesman for Bin Laden in Europe warns Muslims not to fly to Mecca with British, French or American airplanes.
Asked by the Italian journalist, Marco Ansaldo, whether Italy is also under threat of a terror attack, Mr. Bakri replies: "I wouldn't be surprised if something happened in Italy. But not outside her borders, like the attack of Nassiriya...The attack would be more efficient and would hurt more!"
Nice words from a religious man!
Spartacus
(0) comments
"...a new terrorist attack, more spectacular than that of Sept. 11, is possible. Every Muslim in the world is waiting for the good news..."The "unofficial" spokesman for Bin Laden in Europe warns Muslims not to fly to Mecca with British, French or American airplanes.
Asked by the Italian journalist, Marco Ansaldo, whether Italy is also under threat of a terror attack, Mr. Bakri replies: "I wouldn't be surprised if something happened in Italy. But not outside her borders, like the attack of Nassiriya...The attack would be more efficient and would hurt more!"
Nice words from a religious man!
Spartacus
Thursday, January 29, 2004
"An open letter to Mel Gibson" by Spartacus
Hi, Mel, how are you? I am truly sorry to waste your time, I know how busy you are in these days with the finalisation of your latest work.
The reason behind these few lines lies on my decision not to go and watch your latest film "The Passion of the Christ", due to be released sometime in february.
I was brought up as a Catholic in a catholic country. Only 500 years ago, in 1515, (it seems yesterday), my ancestors, in mainland Italy, were forced by Catholics "strictly followers of Christian Tradition" like you to convert to Catholicism and renounce their faith to save their lives.
Few years earlier, the "very catholic" Isabel and Ferdinand of Castille, Spain, expelled them from Sicily, which in those tragic days belonged to the Spanish Empire. How long have they lived in that beautiful island before 1492? Only God knows...certainly not less than a few centuries, when another very good catholic, Admiral George of Antiochia, took all of them from greek Thebes to Palermo, Sicily, to establish a profitable silkworming industry.
Do Catholics have to persecute and keep persecuting Jews worldwide to be considered "good"? I have just giving you a couple of examples of the spiritual, psychological, physical, financial damage that good catholics cause to others in their false pretense of "sainthood".
A film! Another film on Jesus Christ! Are you really convinced that Jesus wants to be broadcast on film to tell the world why He died? Do you really believe that Jesus, the Romans, the Jews could have spared his life? Of course not! Because not even Jesus could decide his fate! It was His Father's decision that he had to die for our sins! Remember? He had to die to save you, me and the others! Whose fault was it if God, His Father, wanted him in Israel and not Britannia, Tracia or Iberia? Whose fault was it if in Israel there were Jews and not Chinese or Indians? Everything has happened according to God's will, remember?
A true catholic, a true follower of Jesus' teachings is certainly not interested in those who killed, or nailed, the Son of God! A true Catholic is only interested in Jesus' teachings.
Our present Pope, the Head of all Catholics worldwide, calls the Jews "our elder Brothers" and speaks of love, peace and brotherhood almost on a daily basis. This is the only way forward...the only one!
Spartacus
(0) comments
The reason behind these few lines lies on my decision not to go and watch your latest film "The Passion of the Christ", due to be released sometime in february.
I was brought up as a Catholic in a catholic country. Only 500 years ago, in 1515, (it seems yesterday), my ancestors, in mainland Italy, were forced by Catholics "strictly followers of Christian Tradition" like you to convert to Catholicism and renounce their faith to save their lives.
Few years earlier, the "very catholic" Isabel and Ferdinand of Castille, Spain, expelled them from Sicily, which in those tragic days belonged to the Spanish Empire. How long have they lived in that beautiful island before 1492? Only God knows...certainly not less than a few centuries, when another very good catholic, Admiral George of Antiochia, took all of them from greek Thebes to Palermo, Sicily, to establish a profitable silkworming industry.
Do Catholics have to persecute and keep persecuting Jews worldwide to be considered "good"? I have just giving you a couple of examples of the spiritual, psychological, physical, financial damage that good catholics cause to others in their false pretense of "sainthood".
A film! Another film on Jesus Christ! Are you really convinced that Jesus wants to be broadcast on film to tell the world why He died? Do you really believe that Jesus, the Romans, the Jews could have spared his life? Of course not! Because not even Jesus could decide his fate! It was His Father's decision that he had to die for our sins! Remember? He had to die to save you, me and the others! Whose fault was it if God, His Father, wanted him in Israel and not Britannia, Tracia or Iberia? Whose fault was it if in Israel there were Jews and not Chinese or Indians? Everything has happened according to God's will, remember?
A true catholic, a true follower of Jesus' teachings is certainly not interested in those who killed, or nailed, the Son of God! A true Catholic is only interested in Jesus' teachings.
Our present Pope, the Head of all Catholics worldwide, calls the Jews "our elder Brothers" and speaks of love, peace and brotherhood almost on a daily basis. This is the only way forward...the only one!
Spartacus
The last few days of Freedom! by Spartacus
"They could enter into your office, open drawers, cupboards and archives. They could delve into computers, checking emails one by one, see your telephone records, and also confiscate documents and files or demand a copy... "
This is the beginning of an article which appeared today in La Repubblica, one of the country's major newspapers, entitled: "Interceptions, emails and superfines".
This is the "new supervision", as Sig. Giulio Tremonti, the italian Economy minister, likes to call it. The duties of the new 007s are contained in the EU directives on "market abuse". The 45 articles which make up the text are now ready to become law, and therefore operational, by next friday!
What's the rationale behind this blatant infringment of civil rights by the EU? Its main goal is to safeguard the european savers!
I dont know about other european countries, but there are very few savers at present in Italy, where unemployment is running high, popular discontent is on every face you see, and poverty, unknown a decade ago to the middle class, is eroding the last old liras hidden away for a rainy day.
Today, Eugenio Scalfari, editorialist of "La Repubblica", writes: "Saving has practically disappeared from our economy, swallowed by inflation, by the fall of buying power, by cuts in social services, by precarious employment and by the growth of large bands of poverty and insecurity".
The EU, and few other "civilized countries" of the western world, is creating wealth as never before for the wealthy few and poverty as never before for the great majority of people.
This situation is becoming unsustainable and whilst until now they have left the working class hopelessly poor, now the aim is to reduce, legally, people's civil rights and institutionalize "slavery"! Slavery exists where poverty and lack of freedom coexist!
If this is the beginning of the new EU..to hell with it!!
Spartacus
(0) comments
This is the beginning of an article which appeared today in La Repubblica, one of the country's major newspapers, entitled: "Interceptions, emails and superfines".
This is the "new supervision", as Sig. Giulio Tremonti, the italian Economy minister, likes to call it. The duties of the new 007s are contained in the EU directives on "market abuse". The 45 articles which make up the text are now ready to become law, and therefore operational, by next friday!
What's the rationale behind this blatant infringment of civil rights by the EU? Its main goal is to safeguard the european savers!
I dont know about other european countries, but there are very few savers at present in Italy, where unemployment is running high, popular discontent is on every face you see, and poverty, unknown a decade ago to the middle class, is eroding the last old liras hidden away for a rainy day.
Today, Eugenio Scalfari, editorialist of "La Repubblica", writes: "Saving has practically disappeared from our economy, swallowed by inflation, by the fall of buying power, by cuts in social services, by precarious employment and by the growth of large bands of poverty and insecurity".
The EU, and few other "civilized countries" of the western world, is creating wealth as never before for the wealthy few and poverty as never before for the great majority of people.
This situation is becoming unsustainable and whilst until now they have left the working class hopelessly poor, now the aim is to reduce, legally, people's civil rights and institutionalize "slavery"! Slavery exists where poverty and lack of freedom coexist!
If this is the beginning of the new EU..to hell with it!!
Spartacus
