Merkel: “We Want Reliable Relations”

By James Kimer | Published: January 22, 2007

German Chancellor Angela Merkel comments on Russian energy relations in the Wall Street Journal. Complete transcript available here. The Wall Street Journal: The interruption of oil supplies has spread much uncertainty in Western Europe about Russia’s reliability. What means of influence do you have to prevent such things happening in future? Chancellor Merkel: The message […]

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What is Driving Russia’s Bull Market?

By James Kimer | Published:

A story is running in today’s Wall Street Journal citing numerous money managers who are extending compliments and accolades to President Vladimir Putin for his stewardship of the economy. While the performance of the RTS index has been indisputably robust, there remains much debate over the extent to which oil prices should be credited for […]

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Grigory Pasko: Is There a Procuracy in Russia?

By Grigory Pasko | Published:

Is there a procuracy in Russia? By Grigory Pasko, journalist On January 12, Russia traditionally celebrates the Day of the Procuracy Worker. This year was no exception. Which is curious, given that a procuracy – in the sense that the Tsar Peter the Great had in mind when he founded it – does not actually […]

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Le Monde: How to Get to the Top in Russia

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: January 19, 2007

Another exclusive translation – In this Le Monde article, which came out earlier this month, we are told of how certain elements from the former KGB maneuvered their way into power and into almost every corner of society. It is an incisive piece of journalism, showing how the structures of the state’s security apparatus has […]

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Masha Lipman in Le Monde

By Robert Amsterdam | Published:

Today we’re carrying some exclusive translations of important articles that came out this month in the French daily Le Monde. Here Masha Lipman of the Carnegie Center of Moscow debates Putin’s power as an arbitrator (original article accessible here: “Poutine est l’arbitre du système, pas son otage“). ‘Putin is the arbitrator not the hostage to […]

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Grigory Pasko: Be Afraid of Vertyhais* Bearing Nothing

By Grigory Pasko | Published:

[**Vertyhai (вертухай) – a superintendent in a GULAG zone, a jailer, a convoy guard, an overseer.] Be afraid of vertyhais* bearing nothing By Grigory Pasko, journalist The very next day after president Vladimir Putin spoke at a session of the Council to Assist the Development of Institutions of Civil Society and Human Rights, where he […]

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Schroeder’s New Company “Rent-a-Chancellor” Spreads False News about Russia

By Robert Amsterdam | Published:

Today Kommersant is reporting on an event held this week in Germany titled “Strategic Partnership Germany-Russia: Looking Back on Russia’s G8 Presidency and Looking Forward to Germany’s,” featuring the participation of Gerhard Schroeder and Igor Shuvalov. The Kremlin’s No. 1 Flak Having personally attended this event, I can tell you that no one in that […]

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“Gazprom is Both Non-Transparent and Inefficient on a Heroic Scale,” says Dr. Martin Smith

By Robert Amsterdam | Published:

A very compelling letter to the editor in today’s Financial Times: Four reasons why PR cannot come to Gazprom’s aid By DR Martin Smith Sir, Gazprom does indeed have severe image problems (“Gazprom in PR drive to improve its image”, January 17). But there are at least four reasons why, in current conditions, these problems […]

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Dresdner Gets Closer to Gazprom

By Robert Amsterdam | Published:

In a joint press release this week, Dresdner Kleinwort and Gazprombank announced the proposed launch of a joint venture to invest in carbon emissions trading, taking advantage of Kyoto Protocol credits by fixing leaky Russian gas pipelines to earn credits, which can be traded to other countries. According to Reuters: “There is huge potential in […]

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Novaya Gazeta Carries the Legacy of Politkovskaya

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: January 18, 2007

Today La Russophobe has posted a translation of an article from Novaya Gazeta examining how the state apparatus uses violence for political ends. It is an impressive investigative piece, including interviews with many sources inside the military and security services.

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