Month: February 2008

Hello,

Once again Russia is the Bad Guy….. Human Rights Watch; Kenneth Roth lying on Visa!

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Rights Activist Accused of Lying on Visa Form

The Moscow Times Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth and his colleagues were denied Russian visas because they had provided “intentionally false information about the purpose of their visit,” the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

Roth initially indicated in his visa application earlier this month that he was coming to Russia as a tourist, but also indicated that he planned to meet journalists and representatives of nongovernmental organizations, ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said in a statement.

Roth’s application was denied, and when he and two colleagues reapplied for a business visa, their invitations were issued by the Agriculture Ministry, and they were identified as “managers” of McKinsey Company, Kamynin said. Because of the false information, the visas were denied, he said.

Because of the visa denial, Roth was unable to attend the rights watchdog’s Wednesday presentation of a report in Moscow that criticizes recent legislation increasing government scrutiny of NGOs and broadening authorities’ power to shut down them down.

Roth told The Moscow Times on Wednesday that it was the first time a Human Rights Watch employee had ever been denied a Russian visa. Calls to Roth’s cell phone and his office in New York went unanswered Thursday afternoon.

By denying Kenneth Roth, the head of Human Rights Watch, a visa, the Kremlin did succeed in preventing him from presenting a critical report in Moscow. The report, titled “Choking on Bureaucracy: State Curbs on Independent Civil Society Activism,” criticizes the authorities for intentionally shackling nongovernmental organizations with burdensome restrictions.

On Thursday, the Foreign Ministry offered an explanation for the denial. Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said the business visa applications filed by Roth and two colleagues identified them as “managers” for McKinsey & Company who were invited to visit Russia by the Agriculture Ministry. The real purpose of their visit, the ministry said, was to meet activists at Russian nongovernmental organizations and journalists.

If true, this is a fair pretext for denying Roth a visa. But the actual reason that Roth was unwelcome was probably linked to Human Rights Watch’s years-long criticism of President Vladimir Putin.

Roth’s visa denial did little to stanch his group’s criticism. Its staff went ahead with the presentation on Wednesday anyway.

By refusing Roth entry, the Foreign Ministry actually shot itself in the foot. Articles about Roth’s report, which was far from sensational, would have likely been buried deep inside newspapers. The visa refusal made the story more interesting, moving it to the front page of Kommersant and The Moscow Times.

If the Kremlin wants any of the millions of dollars it gives to Western PR agencies to improve the country’s image to have any effect, it will have to abandon its heavy-handed approach to independent NGOs that criticize its conduct.

The authorities also must realize that, as the latest incident makes clear, the denial of a visa to one NGO activist — even the head of an organization — will not diminish the criticism. There are other employees, Russians included, ready to fill the void.

Roth says this is the first time someone from Human Rights Watch has been denied a visa to Russia and only the second time — after Nigeria — that he has been barred from visiting any country.

But Roth is not the first to have been locked out; dozens of human rights activists and journalists have been told they are not welcome in Russia.

The government would do best to choose one of two options. First, it should learn to tolerate foreign and domestic criticism, because pretending to be a democracy while moving toward autocracy can’t escape watchful eyes, inside or outside the country.

Alternatively, if it isn’t ready to tolerate criticism voiced inside the country, it should abandon the pretenses of democracy, shut down all independent NGOs and critical media and pull the Iron Curtain down again.

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Human Rights Watch, they write such pretty pictures of Russia in their reports that I can see why no one cares if they appear at any meetings!

Moral of story: Do not lie on your Visa application!

Kyle

comments always welcome.

PS: I can tell you from first hand experience that the USA has many more serious issues with Human Rights than Russia does!

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Hello,

The puzzle is gaining pieces:

We have a small update on the Pastor Phillip Miles who is being held for Smuggling charges in a Russian Prison……

Two lawyers contacted at the time of first arrest said authorities’ treatment of Miles was within the law.

“If he was unsure, all he had to do was approach a customs official and ask if he should declare the bullets,” Sergei Melnikov, a lawyer who specializes in customs and immigration issues, said.

“Checking one box on the declarations form could have saved him all this trouble,” Melnikov added.

Igor Trunov, a criminal lawyer who deals with high-profile cases, said a number of factors could have compounded Miles’ situation.

“It all depends on how he acted when he was stopped,” Trunov said. “If it appeared to customs officials that he was trying to hide the fact that he had the ammunition in the suitcase, that would have aroused their suspicion,” he added.

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Pastor Miles is being held in a prison in Moscow while his case is being investigated. He is confined to a wing of the prison that is reserved only for foreign nationals. Pastor Miles shares cell space with several men from various countries. He has reported to us, through the Embassy, that he is getting along well with his cell mates. The initial period allowed for investigation is 60 days. While the investigation could be completed faster than that, it is also possible for the Prosecutor to request additional 60 day periods for investigation. As a result, we do not have any way to know definitively when his case will be scheduled for hearing. The Prosecutor is investigating trafficking and smuggling charges against Pastor Miles. If he is found guilty for trafficking it could entail a punishment ranging from a fine to a sentence of 3 years. If he is found guilty of smuggling it would be a 3-7 year sentence.

What is happening in the United States?

Church representatives are in daily contact with the US State Department, the US Embassy in Moscow and Lindsey Graham’s office. All of these entities are working hard to assist Pastor Miles during this process. Pastor Miles has been visited by Embassy officials in Moscow. They report that he is in good spirits and he sends his best wishes to the church congregation. He thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers, and for their continued support of Christ Community Church. He asks that we continue to pray for his health, as the weather is turning very cold in Russia. Money raised by the church has been used to purchase food and additional warm clothing for Pastor Miles. If additional funds are needed, we will give you information as to how you can help. Finally, the Embassy advised us that they can take letters and cards to Pastor Miles, but that he is not always allowed to keep them with him in his cell. If you would like to send him a letter or card, please address it to the church and include your name and return address on the envelope. Letters will be gathered and sent in groups to the Embassy. This website will continue to provide updates from Pastor Miles as we get them from the Embassy.
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Please send letters and cards to: Pastor Phillip Miles (Russia)

c/o Christ Community Church

1500 Hwy. 501 Business

Conway, SC 29526

**Please be aware that your correspondence WILL be read by other people.**

Dominic Starr will be working with Pastor Phillip’s Russian lawyers to assist them in preparing his defense. There may be long periods of time during this phase that we do not hear anything new as to the progress of the case. We will continue to post all official news on this website.
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What do we need you to do?

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Please continue to pray for Pastor Phillip, Lynn and their children.
*
Pray that there is a speedy investigation process and that the smuggling charges are dropped.
*
Pray for God to continue to move in our church as we prepare for the mighty things He is doing in us and Pastor Phillip in this process.
*
Please do not speculate about what might be going on. (All official news will be posted.)
*
Please do not call Lynn directly. She appreciates your thoughts and prayers. Please send her a card or note to her home or c/o CCC (same address as above) if you would like to communicate with her.
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Friday, February 08, 2008

A formal hearing was held in Pastor Miles’ case in Moscow on February 8th.

At the hearing, the State requested that it be given an additional 60 days to complete its investigation of this case. The request was granted by the court. As a result, Pastor Miles will be held in jail in Moscow during the course of the investigation. While the church is disappointed with this temporary setback, we are encouraged that Pastor Miles’ reputation of integrity and character will ultimately lead to his freedom.

The United States Embassy in Moscow is monitoring this situation and has sent representatives to visit with Pastor Miles. They assure us that he is being treated well and remains in good physical condition. Friends in Russia have told the church that his spirits remain high and that those around him have been very impressed with his attitude and demeanor during this difficult time.

This website will be updated any time we receive official news about the status of this case. If you hear or read anything about this case that contradicts information on this website, please disregard it.

The church asks that you continue to remember Phillip and Lynn, their children and extended family, and the church body, in your thoughts and prayers.
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This as up to date information that we can find as of now. These two links are our past articles to get you caught up on what is happening!

http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/why-did-i-try-to-walk-into-russia-with.html

http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/why-would-anyone-bring-ammunition-into.html

We will keep everyone up to date as we find the information.

Does not look good I predict , Jail Term.

Kyle & Svet

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Hello,

While walking the dog today a thought kept dancing in my head, “Russia Looks at America With Open Eyes!”

Russians have an acute knowledge about America. They follow the happenings very closely. The Democratic Race in America right now is of great interest to Russians.
Not because an African American and a Woman is running but because they represent change in American politics. That change is what interests the Russians.

McCain represents the old school politics, Obama and Hillary represent a new American thinking. Russian people seem to have the desire to see the new style politics in America.

I sense that Russians have hope that with the new American thinking will come better understanding of Russia!

Kyle

comments always welcome!

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Hello,

I found this article about possibly moving Lenin’s body from the mausoleum on the Red Square….

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20/02/2008 19:40 MOSCOW, February 20 (RIA Novosti) – The ex-Soviet leader, Vladimir Lenin, could be buried at a new cemetery under construction in the Moscow Region, the Russian tabloid Zhizn reported on Wednesday.

Lenin’s body, with its face uncovered, has been on public display in a glass sarcophagus housed in a mausoleum on Red Square since his death in 1924. However, his continuing presence in the heart of Moscow has been a source of considerable controversy since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The idea of Lenin’s reburial at a memorial complex currently built to the north of Moscow has been discussed at an official level, the cemetery’s art director and sculptor Sergei Goryaev said.

The final decision on the issue has yet to be taken, Goryaev said, adding that more important Russian and Soviet historical figures could be also reburied at the complex.

The memorial complex, a counterpart of the famed Arlington National Cemetery in the United States, is expected to be unveiled in 2010. It’s more than 53 hectares has space for more than 30,000 graves.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the decree on its construction in 2001.

Demands to transfer the body of the architect of the 1917 Russian Revolution to a regular cemetery have consistently been countered by Russian Communists, who insist that the tomb in Red Square remain the Soviet leader’s final resting place.
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This is a controversial subject in Russia & I would like to see what my wife has to say about this? (So lets ask her!)

Kyle

comments always welcome.

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Hello,

Today We are going to list some of the most read Posts ….

http://kylekeeton.com/2007/09/from-russia-expats-parable
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/moscow-metro-part-3.html
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-bbc-sent-wrong-boy
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/moscow-metro-part-2.html
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/01/svet-sunday-holy-days-is-t
http://kylekeeton.com/2007/12/russia-visa-terror-continues
http://kylekeeton.com/2007/12/russia-village-or-towns.html
http://kylekeeton.com/2007/11/svet-sundays-strong-people

http://kylekeeton.com/2007/09/russian-madmax.html

I see that Svet Sundays has 4 out of the 10 listed! 🙂

Thanks to all the wonderful readers that we have!

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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RBC, 19.02.2008, Moscow 16:29:16.Federal, regional, and local authorities need to clamp down on corruption, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov stated during today’s meeting of the extended board of the General Prosecutor’s Office today. Prosecutors need to coordinate anti-corruption measures more efficiently and to take steps to reduce corruption even in the absence of a special anti-corruption law and a respective agency, Zubkov noted. The PM emphasized the necessity of removing the causes of corruption, as well as reducing administrative barriers in Russia.

RBC, 19.02.2008, Moscow 16:00:29.According to preliminary data confirmed by Mosenergo’s Executive Board, the Russian energy company’s net profit under RAS more than halved to RUB 740m (approx. USD 30.09m) in 2007 compared to a year earlier, the company’s press office reported today. Meanwhile, the net profit target was set at RUB 300m (approx. USD 12.20m). Revenue grew 11.5 percent to RUB 78.3bn (approx. USD 3.18bn).

RBC, 19.02.2008, Moscow 14:43:45.Commenting on the anticipated amendments to the budget for 2008 and 2009-2010 during today’s press conference, Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov criticized such a large budget surplus. The Federation Council is likely to approve the amendments at the plenary session on Wednesday, as most of the additional budget revenue is to be spent on social payments, Mironov noted. However, the official pointed out that there were more budget funds that needed to be allocated to various economy sectors.

RBC, 19.02.2008, Moscow 14:34:16.At the closing of the special dollar trading session for today deals, the low and the high on deals stood at 24.40 and 24.55 RUB/USD respectively, unaltered since the opening. The weighted average dollar exchange rate coincided with the official dollar rate set by the Bank of Russia for February 20 at 24.52 RUB/USD. The stability can be traced to the situation abroad, where the euro-to-dollar rate has been virtually unchanged for several hours now.

RBC, 19.02.2008, Moscow 13:23:47.United Company Rusal is not in talks with Russian businessman Vladimir Potanin on the purchase of his stake in Norilsk Nickel, Viktor Vekselberg, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Russian aluminum giant, told RBC today. Therefore, he denied recent media reports that UC RUSAL had made a proposal to the co-owner of the Russian mining and metallurgical company to buy out his stake and pay for it with cash and UC RUSAL’s shares.

RBC, 19.02.2008, Moscow 12:57:14.Russian Railways intends to allocate some RUB 10.5bn (approx. USD 427m) as investments in the project for improving oil transfer from Russia to China, the railway company’s press office reported today. The project provides for the reconstruction of a section of the Transbaikal railway in order to increase the railway’s capacity. Most of the reconstruction activities under the project are to be completed in 2008.

RBC, 19.02.2008, Moscow 11:59:23.Today’s session on the Russian stock market started with a rise in most traded securities, which can be attributed to a considerable increase in US and European stock indices, as well as to higher metals prices. On MICEX, almost all stocks went up 0.5 percent on average, while Rosneft and Sberbank gained more than 1 percent. The RTS index topped 2,035 points after the first ten minutes of trade.

RBC, 18.02.2008, Moscow 19:21:40.The Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia has made a decision to issue RUB 400bn (approx. USD 16.27bn) in series 05 short-term zero coupon bonds, with the maturity date set for September 15, 2008, the international and public relations department of the Russian Central Bank announced in a statement.

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Hello,

Recently we had a series of articles about Moscow Metro (part1, part2, part3). Our reader Ludmila sent us a link to a beautiful movie about St. Petersburg Metro. Let’s watch it together!

Thank you Ludmila, you always help us with great information!

And what beautiful metro (subway) has impressed you? Send us information and we’ll publish it.

You want know more about St.Petersburg’s Metro, you always can find an article in Wikipedia!

Svet and Kyle

comments always welcome.
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(additional information brought to our attention by Ludmila)

Saint Petersburg Metro
Locale	Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast
Transit type	Rapid transit
Began operation	1955
System length	105.5 km (65.6 mi)
No. of lines	4
No. of stations	60
Daily ridership	3.43 million
Track gauge	1,520 mm (4 ft 117⁄8 in)
Operator	Peterburgsky Metropoliten

Saint Petersburg’s unforgiving geology has frequently hampered attempts by Metro builders. The most notable case took place on the Kirovsko-Vyborgskaya Line. While constructing the line in the 1970s, the tunnelers entered an underground cavity of the Neva River. They managed to complete the tunnel, but in 1995 the tunnel had to be closed and a section of it between Lesnaya and Ploshchad Muzhestva flooded. For more than nine years, the northern segment of the line was physically cut off from the rest of the system. A new set of tunnels was built and in June 2004 normal service was restored.
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RBC, 15.02.2008, Moscow 17:54:55.LUKoil has completed the acquisition of 100-percent stakes in the GRAND and Mega-Oil M retail chains from RussNeft, the Russian oil giant stated in a press release today. The chains comprise 122 gas stations located in Moscow and in the Moscow region, as well as 26 stations in other regions of Russia. The retail chains’ annual sales have been estimated at more than 300,000 tonnes of gasoline, while daily sales in Moscow and in the Moscow region reached 9.6 tonnes. The purchase of the two chains is expected to boost LUKoil’s sales of motor fuel of Euro 3 and Euro 4 standards.

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee & thinking about the article that I said I would write on the beautiful Moscow Metro! We have written Part 1 & Part 2 within the last month.
We also posted this video along time ago, on the beauty of the Moscow Metro…..

We just let the pictures speak for themselves….

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia warned Iran on Wednesday that its development of rockets and continued uranium enrichment was creating the impression Tehran was intentionally ignoring the concerns of the international community. ”We do not approve of…

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