DOCSLIB.ORG

Russian Telecoms Proxies Six Months Through 20 March 2000 (20-Day Moving Average) 400

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

RussiaRussia ReviewReview GRIFFIN CAPITAL 20 March 2000 IN BRIEF Contents “Panem et circenses” [Bread and Circuses] IN BRIEF ..................................................... 1 Juvenal X 81 POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT .................. 3 MACROECONOMY ..................................... 5 MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS ............... 13 ENERGY ...................................................... 24 SPORTS ...................................................... 25 UPCOMING EVENTS ................................... 27 INDEX TO THIS ISSUE ................................. 28 with NATO as to pursue his ruthless crackdown in Chechnya. Not since the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 has a Russian leader been less bound by ideology. Putin the pragmatist will focus his country’s con- siderable resources on the task of rebuilding the Putin Rallies the Troops - and Voters (Reuters) weakened former Superpower as an assertive, if not dominant, economic and political player. We’re All Aboard and Ready to Go He has the broad support of an electorate whose national pride was wounded by the West’s Described by its prominent passenger as a “pow- assertiveness in Kosovo and Russia’s reduced erful and obedient machine”, a Sukhoi jet fighter status on the global stage. today spirited presidential campaigner Vladimir Putin to a pre-election morale and image boost- And with less than a week before the election, ing appearance in Grozny, the devastated capi- Putin pledged to start withdrawing troops from tal of Russia’s war torn province of Chechnya. Chechnya. Russian troops occupied Grozny by From Taipai to the IMF to Russia, this is a big “Modern Russian society does not week for election campaigns, with all their at- identify a strong and effective state tendant promises and posturing. The hot favor- with a totalitarian state: Russia needs ite in Russia’s Sunday presidential election, act- a strong state power.” ing president Vladimir Putin, is all things to all people: both pro-market and pro-welfare and as Vladimir Putin keen to engage the West through reconciling 31 December 1999 Griffin Capital New York +1 212 759-6678/fax 759-6783 [email protected] This material is compiled for the private information of the recipient, and neither Griffin Capital nor its affiliates are soliciting any action or making any recommendations based upon it. This material is based on information provided by sources we deem reliable including Reuters, Bloomberg, PRNewswire, Prime-Tass, Kommersant, Interfax Vremya, The Moscow Times CentreInvest Research,Euroweek, ABN AMRO, com- pany data and other sources, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. This information does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation or the particular needs of any individual or entity who may receive this material. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or implementing investment strategies discussed or recommended in this material and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realised. Vol. III, No. 3 page 1 of 31 RussiaRussia ReviewReview GRIFFIN CAPITAL 20 March 2000 IN BRIEF (Continued) Since the capture of a prominent Chechen war- force on 6 February. lord, Russian Minister for Mass Media and the Press Mikhail Lesin has declared that quoting “The necessary contingent will stay and carry suspected terrorists in print or allowing them to out their duties,” Putin said in comments car- speak on television or radio is forbidden. Very ried on Russian television NTV. “But as for the little adverse war coverage now appears in the excessive part, as I said, there is no reason to local media. These media restrictions resemble hold it here, as we want to get along with our those imposed to little effect by the British gov- obligations over flank limits in Europe.” ernment in the 1980’s in regard to their own sepa- ratist movement in Ireland led by the IRA. Putin, the expected first-round winner in Sunday’s election, has done little open cam- In a continuing series of courtly visits with the paigning, relying instead on almost daily televi- great and the good of the West, Putin and his sion appearances for working trips to Russia’s wife hosted British Prime Minister Tony Blair and regions. Putin’s popularity has risen in line with his wife on the 10th in St Petersburg where they Russian’s support for the war against Islamic attended the opening of Sergei Prokofiev’s “War militants in Chechnya. and Peace” in the Marlinsky Theater. The next day, Putin met with World Bank President James Wolfensen to discuss money matters. “Vladimir Putin is like a mirror where everyone sees what they want to. “Russia is, in principle, The lack of a concrete manifesto a self-sufficient country”, is designed to avoid alienating but “if credits are given any part of the electorate.” it is simply stupid to turn them down.” “It would be wrong to break our relations Yury Levada, Director with international financial institutions ... VTsIOM polling institute But it would be wrong to beg for anything.” In December, Putin said the end to military ac- Vladimir Putin tion in Chechnya was “close.” Putin today gave 8 February no indication of when troops would be withdrawn. Elsewhere, Gazprom Chairman Viktor Earlier this month, Russian artillery and war- Chernomyrdin visited New York City on 22 Feb- planes blasted a village in southern Chechnya ruary as a soft-spoken, “open-for-business” en- where the Associated Press reported 700 rebels trepreneur. He appeared at a meeting organized were fighting Russian attempts to push them by Eurasia Group in New York at the same time out. A week earlier, the AP reported 85 Rus- as former Deputy Prime Minister and Alfa Bank sian paratroopers were ambushed by Chechen Vice Chairman Oleg Susuyev. Susuyev reas- fighters in Chechnya’s southern mountains. suringly opined the Putin administration would not support negative restrictions on foreign par- ticipation in joint ventures. “Putin will trample on citizens’ rights in the name of a powerful state.” This week, Sergei Kiriyenko, Former Prime Min- ister of the Russian Federation will be in New Alexander Kabakov York and Washington DC. He previously cau- Kommersant tioned a western audience in their planned in- Vol. III, No. 3 page 2 of 31 RussiaRussia ReviewReview GRIFFIN CAPITAL 20 March 2000 IN BRIEF (Continued) vestment in the energy sector, given the uncer- tainties over who will be the key power brokers following Putin’s expected March election. On 13 March, Putin co-chaired a session of the Foreign Investment Advisory Council in Moscow, a refreshing change from his closed predeces- sor Boris Yeltsin. However, it remains to be seen what he intends to do after listening to the ad- vice of foreign investors. And the uncertainties over who will be the key power brokers follow- ing Putin’s expected election remain, with many investors taking a “wait and see” attitude before new appointments are made. All these visits with the West were preceded by Putin’s astonishing interview with David Frost on the BBC, where he said there is no reason why Russia shouldn’t join NATO. This startling est pace in a decade. remark was promptly downplayed by Igor Ivanov, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Moscow police detained two residents from the Vladimir region, northeast of Moscow, and con- “Putin has no ideology. fiscated Faberge eggs and other works of art In this sense he reflects the state worth $300,000 stolen from the home of a promi- of Russian society nent Moscow antique collector last November. which is tired of being held hostage to history and tired of chaos.” POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT Vyacheslav Nikonov Operation in Chechnya Ended Politika Fund “The military operation in Chechnya ended. And in yet another well orchestrated pre-elec- We can say that the terrorist and tion move, Russian publisher Vagrius published separatist forces were crushed.” on-line a series of interviews with Acting Presi- dent Putin. It may be of some significance that Igor Ivanov the interviews were conducted by staff journal- Russian Deputy Minister of ists from Kommersant, a respected newspaper Foreign Affairs acquired under murky circumstances and now Speaking at the National controlled by Boris Berezovsky. The material Chamber of Commerce contains no policy revelations and may be viewed Santiago, Chile at http://www.vagrius.com/html/books/putin 13 March (Bloomberg) The benchmark Russian Trading System stock index rose to a 21-month as investors who were 10 Mar (Interfax): 85 Russian paratroopers were burned by the country’s default and devaluation ambushed by Chechen fighters in Chechnya’s in 1998 return to an economy growing at its fast- southern mountains on 29 February according Vol. III, No. 3 page 3 of 31 RussiaRussia ReviewReview GRIFFIN CAPITAL 20 March 2000 7 Mar (Interfax): While visiting the textile center POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT (Continued) of Ivanovo, Russia’s Acting President Vladimir to Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev. “A Putin made a series of statements, which seem great number of bandits were eliminated, but to reflect a liberal bent in his economic views. unfortunately our guys were killed too, Sergeyev ...Comment: Putin suggested Russia’s future said, adding, “We will be killing them until the economic development would depend on en- end,” the agency reported. suring freedom for all economic actors, reduc- ing the tax burden, and eliminating artificial
Recommended publications
  • Harvard University

    Harvard University

    HARVARD UNIVERSITY ROBERT AND RENÉE BELFER CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 2000-2001 ANNUAL REPORT 2 Robert and Renée Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs 2000-2001 Annual Report Director’s Foreword 5 Overview From the Executive Director 7 Environment and Natural Resources Program TABLE 8 OF Harvard Information Infrastructure Project 52 CONTENTS International Security Program 71 Science, Technology and Public Policy Program 109 Strengthening Democratic Institutions Project 155 WPF Program on Intrastate Conflict, Conflict Prevention, and Conflict Resolution 177 Events 188 Publications 219 Biographies 241 Robert and Renée Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs 3 2000-2001 Annual Report 4 Robert and Renée Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs 2000-2001 Annual Report Director’s Foreword —————————————♦ For the hub of the John F. Kennedy School’s research, teaching, and training in international security affairs, environmental and resource issues, conflict prevention and resolution, and science and technology policy, the first academic year of the new century has been bracing. According to our mission statement, The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs strives to provide leadership in advancing policy-relevant knowledge about the most important challenges of international security and other critical issues where science, technology, and international affairs intersect. BCSIA’s leadership begins with the recognition of science and technology as driving forces transforming threats and opportunities in international affairs. The Center integrates insights of social scientists, technologists, and practitioners with experience in government, diplomacy, the military, and business to address critical issues. BCSIA involvement in both the Republican and Democratic campaigns. BCSIA was privileged to have senior advisors in both camps in one of the most unforgettable American elections in recent memory.
  • Observation of the Presidential Election in the Russian Federation (4 March 2012)

    Observation of the Presidential Election in the Russian Federation (4 March 2012)

    Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire http://assembly.coe.int Doc. 12903 23 April 2012 Observation of the presidential election in the Russian Federation (4 March 2012) Election observation report Ad hoc Committee of the Bureau Rapporteur: Mr Tiny KOX, Netherlands, Group of the Unified European Left Contents Page 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 2. Political and legal context ....................................................................................................................... 2 3. Election administration and voter and candidate registration .................................................................3 4. The campaign period and the media environment.................................................................................. 4 5. Complaints and appeals ......................................................................................................................... 5 6. Election day ............................................................................................................................................ 5 7. Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Appendix 1 – Composition of the ad hoc committee.................................................................................... 8 Appendix 2 – Programme of the pre-electoral mission (Moscow,
  • Organised Crime and the Special Services of the Commonwealth of Independent States June 2007 Contents

    Organised Crime and the Special Services of the Commonwealth of Independent States June 2007 Contents

    Service for Analysis and Prevention The Swiss Federal Office of Police Strategic Analysis Report [Confidential] Organised Crime and the Special Services of the Commonwealth of Independent States June 2007 Contents • Key points • Organised Crime and the Special Services of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS): 1. The historical relations between security services and criminal structures 2. Criminal groups today 3. Special services today: the FSB-isation of the country? 4. The relations between organised crime groups and the security services 5. The situation in Switzerland 6. Counter-measures Key points The Federal Law on Internal Security Protection Measures (BWIS) mandates the Service for Analysis and Prevention (DAP) to develop measures to promptly discern and prevent the threats of illicit operations by foreign intelligence agencies (Item 3 of Article 2). Over the past few years, DAP has been receiving a growing number of indications that members of organised crime groups from CIS countries maintain liaisons with the intelligence services of their countries. German Intelligence even mentions a “symbiosis” between organised crime and secret services. Since Vladimir Putin’s entry to power, the Russian security services, especially the Federal Security Service (FSB), have been significantly reinforced. Considering Russia’s economic growth and the expansion of the country’s influence in the sphere of energy, it is necessary to examine the role of security services and organised crime within that sphere. It must also be established whether they still preserve their connections, how those connections are made, and how they function in the Swiss territory. This report contains a brief historical overview of the relations between the KGB and organised crime in the Soviet era and presents information on the current state of relations between organised crime groups and the security services of former members of the USSR, especially with regard to Switzerland.
  • OON31.P65 19.01.04, 14:04 1 Cyan

    OON31.P65 19.01.04, 14:04 1 Cyan

    OON31.p65 1 19.01.04, 14:04 Cyan Visit of the UNESCO Director-General, Ko¿tiro Matsuura, to Russia The UNESCO Director- Art in the presence of minis- General visited the Russian ters, including ;irst Deputy ;ederation for the second Prime-Minister of R;, Ms. time 2526 November 2003 Karelova, Minister of ;oreign on the invitation of the Pres- Affairs, Mr. Ivanov, Minister ident of the Russian ;eder- of Culture, Mr. Shvydkoy, as ation, Mr. Vladimir Putin. well as Chairperson of the The programme of the visit Commission of the Russian included a meeting of Mr. ;ederation for UNESCO, Matsuura with Mr. Putin, Mr. ;ortov, Permanent Del- the participation of the egate of the Russian ;edera- UNESCO Director-General tion to UNESCO, Mr. Kala- in the meeting of the Presi- manov, Assistant to the dential Council for Culture UNESCO Director-General and Art, a meeting with the for Culture, Mr. Bouchenaki, ;irst Deputy Prime-Minister Director of the UNESCO of the Russian ;ederation, Mr. Vladimir Putin greets Mr. Ko¿tiro Matsuura Moscow Office, Mr. Quéau, Ms. Galina Karelova, and in the Kremlin and other representatives of participation at the ceremo- the UNESCO Headquarters. ny of awarding Mr. Matsuura with After the meeting with Mr. Putin in the Opening the meeting, President the title of Honorary Professor of Kremlin Ko¿tiro Matsuura made a Moscow State University. speech at the Council for Culture and (To be continued on p. 8) Contents: UNESCO UNA Visit of the UNESCO Director-General, Students and Journalists Discuss the Present Ko¿tiro Matsuura, to Russia .....................................
  • VI Europe–Russia Economic Forum

    VI Europe–Russia Economic Forum

    VI Europe–Russia Economic Forum Sejm of the Republic of Poland Warsaw, Poland ST OF MAY – ST OF JUNE Under the High Patronage of Grzegorz Schetyna, Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Organizer Publisher Foundation Institute for Eastern Studies ul. Solec 85 00–382 Warsaw Tel.: + 48 22 583 11 00 Fax: + 48 22 583 11 50 e–mail: [email protected] www.forum–ekonomiczne.pl Layout BikerStudio www.biker.wns.pl Print Flexergis Sp. z o.o. (Drukarnia BAAD) Warsaw 2011 Contents Programme . 5 Speakers. 19 List of Participants . 55 Programme Programme 6 Programme Programme 7 May 31, 2011 Registration of participants 11:30–12:15 Presentation of the Economic Forum “Russia 2010. Report on Transformation”. Political and Economic 12:15–13:30 Situation in Russia in 2010 Break 13:30–13:45 Partnership for Modernization 13:45–15:15 Lunch 15:15–16:15 Russia in 21st Century. Expectations and Projects 16:15–17:45 Coffee break 17:45–18:00 European Union and Russia: Common Values 18:00–19:30 Reception 20:00 www.economic–forum.pl www.economic–forum.pl 6 Programme Programme 7 June 1, 2011 Energy Industry. Russian Resources and European Security 09:00–10:30 NATO–EU–Russia Relations after the Lisbon Summit 09:00–10:30 Coffee break 10:30–10:45 Europe and Russia in the Global Economy: Opportunities and Threats 10:45–12:15 EU and Russia – Foreign Policy Directions 10:45–12:15 Coffee break 12:15–12:30 EU–Russia. New Perspectives for Partnership and Cooperation 12:30–14:00 Regional Cooperation.
  • Briefing to the Human Rights Committee, October 2009

    Briefing to the Human Rights Committee, October 2009

    Public AI Index: EUR 46/025/2009 Amnesty International Russian Federation Briefing to the Human Rights Committee October 2009 Introduction Amnesty International submits this summary of concerns for the consideration of the Human Rights Committee, in advance of its examination of Russia’s sixth periodic report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The briefing outlines some of Amnesty International’s concerns about the failure of the Russian authorities to fulfil their obligations under the ICCPR. It highlights, in particular, concerns in relation to the following issues: Equal rights of men and women, violence against women (Articles 2,3, 7 and 26) Non-discrimination, prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred (Articles 2 and 26) Indiscriminate attacks / killings of civilians during the Georgia-Russia conflict (Article 6 and 7) Enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions in the North Caucasus (Articles 6,7 and 9) Torture and other ill-treatment / treatment of persons deprived of their liberty / right to a fair trial (Articles 7, 10 and 14) Attacks, including killings, of human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists (Articles 6 and 19) Freedoms of expression, assembly and association (Articles 19, 21 and 22) More detailed information published by Amnesty International on these and other concerns about ongoing human rights violations in the Russian Federation can be found in a number of recent reports by Amnesty International – including: Russian Federation: Rule without law. Human rights violations in the North Caucasus, AI Index: EUR 46/012/2009, 1 July 2009, www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR46/012/2009/en.
  • PCA Case No. AA 228 in the MATTER of an ARBITRATION BEFORE a TRIBUNAL CONSTITUTED in ACCORDANCE with ARTICLE 26 of the ENERGY CH

    PCA Case No. AA 228 in the MATTER of an ARBITRATION BEFORE a TRIBUNAL CONSTITUTED in ACCORDANCE with ARTICLE 26 of the ENERGY CH

    PCA Case No. AA 228 IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION BEFORE A TRIBUNAL CONSTITUTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 26 OF THE ENERGY CHARTER TREATY AND THE 1976 UNCITRAL ARBITRATION RULES - between - VETERAN PETROLEUM LIMITED (CYPRUS) - and - THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION FINAL AWARD 18 July 2014 Tribunal The Hon. L. Yves Fortier PC CC OQ QC, Chairman Dr. Charles Poncet Judge Stephen M. Schwebel Mr. Martin J. Valasek, Assistant to the Tribunal Mr. Brooks W. Daly, Secretary to the Tribunal Ms. Judith Levine, Assistant Secretary to the Tribunal Registry Permanent Court of Arbitration Representing Claimant: Representing Respondent: Professor Emmanuel Gaillard Dr. Claudia Annacker Dr. Yas Banifatemi Mr. Lawrence B. Friedman Ms. Jennifer Younan Mr. David G. Sabel SHEARMAN & STERLING LLP Mr. Matthew D. Slater Mr. William B. McGurn Mr. J. Cameron Murphy CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP Mr. Michael S. Goldberg Mr. Jay L. Alexander Dr. Johannes Koepp Mr. Alejandro A. Escobar BAKER BOTTS LLP TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF DEFINED TERMS ..................................................................................................................... xiii INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 1 I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY ................................................................................................................ 2 A. COMMENCEMENT OF THE ARBITRATION ................................................................................... 2
  • Shifting Faces of Terror After 9/11: Framing the Terrorist Threat

    Shifting Faces of Terror After 9/11: Framing the Terrorist Threat

    SHIFTING FACES OF TERROR AFTER 9/11: FRAMING THE TERRORIST THREAT A dissertation submitted to Kent State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Elena Pokalova Dissertation written by Elena Pokalova B.A., Ural State Pedagogical University, 2002 M.A., Kent State University, 2010 Ph.D., Kent State University, 2011 Approved by Andrew Barnes, Ph.D., Co-Chair, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Landon Hancock, Ph.D., Co-Chair, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Steven Hook, Ph.D., Member, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Karl C. Kaltenthaler, Ph.D., Member, Doctoral Dissertation Committee Accepted by Steven Hook, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Political Science John R.D. Stalvey, Ph.D., Dean, College of Arts and Sciences ii TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS...................................................................................................iii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ v LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................ vii Note on Transliteration ....................................................................................................viii List of Frequently Used Abbreviations.............................................................................. ix 1. Introduction....................................................................................................................
  • Russia and the IMF: a Sordid Tale of Moral Hazard

    Russia and the IMF: a Sordid Tale of Moral Hazard

    Russia and the IMF: A Sordid Tale of Moral Hazard STEFAN HEDLUND T he first summer of the new millennium was marked by renewed controversy around the issue of Russia's relation to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As Swiss prosecutors pressed on with their probes into alleged Russian money laundering, suspicions again carne to the fore that billions of dollars of IMF funds intended to support the rutile had been illicitly diverted via a maze of accounts in Western banks, notably the scandal-ridden Bank of New York. Although allegations of this type constitute a serious embarrassment to those concerned, there appears to be little danger of anyone's actually having to accept personal blame. Given the massive amounts of money involved, the investigations are likely to drag on for many years, as are the debates on what really happened. But few if any significant truths or admissions of guilt are likely to come on record. There is, quite simply, too much high-level politics involved for truth or justice to prevail. However, there may be some benefit in mapping, as far as possible, the story of IMF involvement in Russia, how it unfolded, and how it was brought to such an embarrassing end. 1 argue that there have been significant problems of moral hazard involved that should have been taken into account from the outset. The merits of the argument should be sought in a different direction from sim- ply looking for the trail of a few billion dollars that are missing. At stake is the very essence of Western relations to Russia, at a crucial point in that country's development.
  • 2000 Presidential Election Represented a Benchmark in the Ongoing Evolution of the Russian Federation's Emergence As a Representative Democracy

    2000 Presidential Election Represented a Benchmark in the Ongoing Evolution of the Russian Federation's Emergence As a Representative Democracy

    . HD/~SO/VEIPV/JJ 1,..lfrJJ/ NM I L mctiuet and. hL5 rlr;titi e- (Y cu:Led. Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights RUSSIAN FEDERATION Presidential Election 26 March 2000 FINAL REPORT Warsaw 19 May 2000 Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1 II. EXECUTIVE SUMMRY ................................................................................................................. 2 III. POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................................5 A. DUMA ELECTIONS: A "PRIMARY" FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN 2000......................................... 6 B. EROSION OF POLITICAL PLURALISM .. ........... ............................................. ..................................... ... 6 C. SHIFTING ALLIANCES OF REGIONAL LEADERS .......................................... ....... .................. ............... 7 D. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO POLITICAL SHIFTS ................................................................................ 8 IV. ELECTION ADMIISTRATION ...................................................................................................11 A. TRANSPARENCY MECHANISMS: NON-VOTING MEMBERS AND DOMESTIC OBSERVERS................... 11 B. RiGHTS OF OBSERVERS.................................................................................................................... 12 C. INDEPENDENCE OF ELECTION COMMISSIONS ...........................
  • Russian Politics and Society, Fourth Edition

    Russian Politics and Society, Fourth Edition

    Russian Politics and Society Having been fully revised and updated to reflect the considerable changes in Russia over the last decade, the fourth edition of this classic text builds on the strengths of the previous editions to provide a comprehensive and sophisticated analysis on Russian politics and society. In this edition, Richard Sakwa seeks to evaluate the evidence in a balanced and informed way, denying simplistic assumptions about the inevitable failure of the democratic exper- iment in Russia while avoiding facile generalisations on the inevitable triumph of global integration and democratisation. New to this edition: • Extended coverage of electoral laws, party development and regional politics • New chapter on the ‘phoney democracy’ period, 1991–3 • Historical evaluation of Yeltsin’s leadership • Full coverage of Putin’s presidency • Discussion of the development of civil society and the problems of democratic consolidation • Latest developments in the Chechnya conflict • More on foreign policy issues such as Russia’s relationship with NATO and the EU after enlargement, Russia’s relations with other post-Soviet states and the problem of competing ‘near abroads’ for Russia and the West • The re-introduction of the Russian constitution as an appendix • An updated select bibliography • More focus on the challenges facing Russia in the twenty-first century Written in an accessible and lively style, this book is packed with detailed information on the central debates and issues in Russia’s difficult transformation. This makes it the best available textbook on the subject and essential reading for all those concerned with the fate of Russia, and with the future of international society.
  • A Threat to National Security

    A Threat to National Security

    ILYA YASHIN A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY AN INDEPENDENT EXPERT REPORT 1 Ilya Yashin, the author of “Threat to National Security,” says the goal of his report about the Chechen IN troduction..................................................................................................................................2 President is “to open Russian society’s eyes to the fact that Ramzan Kadyrov, with the connivance of the country’s authorities and secret services, has become a figure that CHAPTER 1. RAGS TO RICHES.........................................................................................4 poses a threat to Russia’s national security.” His report 1.1 ETHNIC CLEANSING tells about the regime established by Ramzan Kadyrov in Chechnya, reveals his crimes and corrupt schemes and 1.2 THE FIRST CHECHEN WAR shows how he impacts the current Russian political system. 1.3 SWITCHING SIDES TO JOIN THE FEDERAL FORCES We believe that Ramzan Kadyrov is not only Russia’s 1.4 THE ASSASSINATION OF AKHMAD KADYROV internal threat – he has definitely become a global danger. 1.5 THE POweR STRUGGLE IN CHECHNYA Kadyrov is known not only by his public intimidation of Russian pro-democracy opposition leaders, human rights CHAPTER 2. THE CHECHEN KHANATE...............................................................12 activists and journalists, he’s also known for his countless violations of freedoms and human rights in his republic. CONTENTS 2.1 THE REGIME OF PERSONAL POweR There are not only suspicions, but also clear traces, of his 2.2 ARMING THE UNDERGROUND involvement in the assassinations of Anna Politkovskaya, Natalia Estemirova and Boris Nemtsov. There are also 2.3 KADYROV AND ISLAM known cases when Kadyrov’s opponents were murdered 2.4 RAMZAN’S CULT OF PERSONALITY not only outside Chechnya, but also outside of Russia.