Russian version of WikiLeaks…


A reader gave me a link to a site about the Russian WikiLeaks. So it seems that we need to at least take a look at the site. (I have known about this site for some time because I follow what the Pirate Party is doing.)  When you go there you will notice the colors of the WikiLeak site. They even stole the header picture from the real WikiLeaks site!  🙂

The Pirate Party announced last week the creation of “Russian WikiLeaks,” it is called RuLeaks.net. On January 14, with the participation site Ruleaks.net WikiLeaks, Pirate Parties International and the Pirate Party of Russia, began gathering information from anonymous sources for peer review and its further publication.

According to coordinator WikiLeaks the site already has a unique information, which is currently being prepared for publication.

Collection of information through the anonymous network Tor, you access the site posted the files for download. Editorial team Ruleaks.net encourages citizens to submit documents testifying to the facts of corruption, concealment of crime and other important public information.

Site Ruleaks.net appeared online in early December 2010 and until now the site publishes translations mails WikiLeaks, coupled with Russia and other CIS countries. Editorial team reports that the new translations will continue to appear on the site.

They lost a touch of credibility because they insinuated originally that they were attacked by “Putin hackers” because they posted an article that they claim might, could and possibly be “Putin’s Palace”. That attack from Putin did not happen, but yes many sites including ours (Windows to Russia) had issues Tuesday and Wednesday over other types of attacks. That all seems to be calmed down now and the truth has come out that RuLeaks had a viral explosion of hits to the website amoungst the attacks and their server could not keep up. Looks like they have the same issues I have and weak server is at the top of that list…

By the way a spokesperson for Putin said: “Putin had nothing to do with the building in question.”  that was expressed on the site in question…

I really  like what they are trying to do but they need to do their own thing and not copy cat WikiLeaks. RuLeaks is a very good title and they need to play on that angle and leave WikiLeaks out of the picture. I really not sure that Assange has much to do with this site…

Now about the “Pirate Party” they have my support and I have been following what they are doing since they were founded. They really need to be smart and use tremendous desecration in their actions if they want to stand a chance at a future.  I have even found Sveta taking an interest in what they have to say. Link below is from Sveta’s video blog…

http://video.kylekeeton.com/2010/10/russian-video-pirate-party-ru.html

So if they can get their act together they have some good thinking’s going…

This link will take you to a little Wiki article about them and I will then let you take it from there… (Link) or maybe you might like this better if you can read Russian… (Link)…

Lets hope that this article is not false. Because they will suffer from credibility issues after it gets out…

Windows to Russia!

Coffee and Russian Smile Realizations…


I was having a cup of decaf coffee last night while eating dinner with Sveta. With the weather so blistering cold hot coffee is good anytime of the day. I just wish that caffeine would not keep me up all night. So I must live with decaf…

The conversation turned to the Russian people. Sveta is always interested to hear what I am thinking when it comes to Russian’s. I was on the subject of Russian’s and the service industry. You know, customer service and all that bull…

The Russian service industry is a perfect match for my personality. I spent years in America working under the pretense that when a customer walks in, there better be a smile on your face and customer service like they are at your home. I came to Russia and found the opposite and I was in heaven…

Sveta says that I am more Russian than she is on customer service. I am a: “Leave me alone and when I am ready, I will ask for help!” – type person. You smile at me and ask me 10 times, do I need help and I will walk out the door and never come back. For you see I have already studied what I want and the fact that I have entered your doors means that I have one specific item to look at and most likely know much more than the sales persons does about that item…

I realize that this is against the American way of life and process. But it is me. That means to me, Russia is a wonderful place with her quirks on customer service…

Now all this rambling brings me back to what I was talking to Sveta about. The people in the local stores smile at me. This is not a fake smile but a genuine smile. I am well known to them and a regular customer. They even come running to help me get plastic bags for the fresh veggies. They have to because I will destroy half the bags with my big hands trying to get a bag off the roll… 🙂

The point is that they know my habits and try to help without being obtrusive. They really are glad to see me. The smiles are real and not a forced fake smile that I had to pound into my service personnel in America. I despise a fake smile…

I know that in your mind is the thought: “They act that way because you spend money!”…

Het! If you know anything about Russia, then you would know that is not a true statement. Russians could care less if you came into buy something or n0t. In fact the usual look when you walk into a business is “Go away and drop dead please! Can’t you see that I am busy talking to my boyfriend on the phone?”…

So I have learned to give the “Don’t worry but you drop dead also, I know what I want and will get it myself” look. Other words ignore them and when you pay, throw the exact money on the counter and leave. Never say a word and act like they are an idiot…

But this new treatment I was receiving had me puzzled. Then Sveta cleared it all up…

Sveta after listening to me ramble. Explained that they accept you and that you are a part of their life now. They are really glad to see you and that type of inter-reaction takes much time to develop. Sveta said that the forced smiles in America made her feel strange and uneasy. Smiles in Russia are not given out freely. They are earned and are sincere…

It kinda made me feel good inside that I get one of those rare genuine Russian smiles that are very hard to come by…

That is why I love Russia…

In Russia a Lack of Smile is Deceiving…

Windows to Russia!

Results of Medvedev’s visit to the Middle East…


With King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Dmitry Medvedev answered journalists’ questions on the outcome of his visit to Jordan and Palestine.

* * *

QUESTION: Mr President, could you please tell us about the outcome of your visit to the Middle East? Also, perhaps you could outline Russia’s position on the possible convening of the UN Security Council during which Palestine would declare its independence unilaterally? Will Russia hold consultations with Israel on this issue?

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA DMITRY MEDVEDEV: I am ready to briefly summarize the results of the visit. The main result is that I was able to hold consultations with our close partners: the Palestinian Authority, specifically with Palestinian President and Head of the National Authority Mahmoud Abbas, and here in Jordan, with His Majesty King Abdullah II.

Both of these visits are not just meetings for us; these are our partners in the Middle East. Palestine’s plight is clear. We talk a great deal about ways to return the settlement process to a normal level. We have been holding consultations as part of the Middle East Quartet and other international forums. This was an opportunity to consult with our closest partners, to touch on all these issues directly, firsthand, as they say. It has been very useful, both in order to maintain direct contact with our colleagues, and to give an impetus to the negotiation process. In the near future, the Quartet of mediators will meet for consultation in Munich. I hope that we will be able to submit specific recommendations.

(more…)

South Korea Will Talk to North Korea…


The South Korean government has decided to accept a proposal Thursday from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to hold high-ranking inter-Korean military talks, Seoul’s unification ministry said…

Hopefully this will be talks only between the North and South Korea and no one else involved. It is time the two countries got things in order…

http://www.china.org.cn/world/2011-01/20/content_21785573.htm

Windows to Russia!

Coffee and Russian Investment is Good…


While drinking that morning cup of coffee. I was contemplating lots (a dozen or so) of e-mails I have received over the last few weeks. They are all from America and they all have to do with how terrible Russia (more pointedly – Putin) is, over the former oil tycoon Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky. They all have to do with how Russia will be devastated by the financial repercussions of said acts…

I guess that this case is a good mental deterrent for people from the disaster that the Western world has become financially. Years ago I removed my investments in America and Europe. I followed the footsteps of some very smart people and put my money on this side of the world. One example, such as into real (not paper certificates) gold and silver. It was the best thing that I ever did financially. It was easy to see what was happening to America from the outside arena. I would have lost everything if I had not moved things when I did. I will never invest in America again, at least until the government gets her act together. I am not alone in that thought. As the proven financial drain is growing against America…

According to U.S. economist, Laurence Kotlikoff, America’s national debt is $200 trillion, when Baby Boomer demographic demands are calculated – including Social Security, public union, pension and health-care demands on the public purse. That’s a mighty big figure. America, in fact, is destitute. (Link)

So I laugh when people talk trash about Russia as a bad investment climate. But I am saddened when I read about the financial fiasco’s in America. Such as the scapegoat Madoff. In fact the US Politicians are ‘Looking For Scapegoats’. Be it China and her currency, Russia and her oil and many others. I know you have heard about China and her currency and how it has destroyed America and is all China’s fault… 🙂

The fact is America is a bad investment climate. That is why you have
American Companies are Hiring, Just Not in America…

But this is what really sums up the Western worlds feelings on this whole thing about Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky. The push is on by the Western world to have Medvedev do something and cause a rift between him and Putin:

But if Medvedev wants to look like a viable candidate for reelection, he needs to do something to break decisively with Putin, his powerful predecessor and likely rival for the job, experts say.”As the presidential election nears, Medvedev needs to take some strong positive positions in order to step out from the shadow of the prime minister,” says Mr. Strokan. “So far he’s going nowhere, and all polls show that the public regards him as secondary to Putin. His political support lags far behind, and Putin seems to outmaneuver him at every turn. Time is running out for Medvedev to do something to distinguish himself.” (Link)

So we will wait and see what they do about the Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky case. It is still in appeals and nothing is final until the appeals are extinguished. (I have seen many cases overturned during appeals in Russia.)  For Russians though the story is absolutely outdated, public opinion is set against most tycoons. All the Wests fairy tales presenting Khodorkovsky as a hero opposing the system is a form of wishful thinking…

Oh, how the dreams of instigators are working overtime right now…

Windows to Russia!

Palestinian State: Russia Unchanged Opinion From Soviet Era…


Medvedev backs independent Palestinian state

Jericho Reuters  (January 19, 2011) : Russian President Dmitry Medvedev endorsed a Palestinian state on Tuesday, saying Moscow had recognized independence in 1988 and was not changing the position adopted by the former Soviet Union. Making his first visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank as Russian head of state, Medvedev stopped short of issuing a ringing declaration of recognition of Palestinian statehood by the modern Russian Federation which he represents…

Man that stirred the kettle today… 🙂

Read More >>>

Windows to Russia!

Coffee and Russian Medical Care…


Yesterday Sveta and I spent the day at a Russian medical clinic. It is a clinic for the Russians who work in or worked in the space industry in this town we live in. (Article on Korolev) Since I am not a national of Russia, they allow me to pay for the services. This is a huge clinic and very busy. I was amazed at the place and it was very well run and organized. I learned a long time ago when in Rome, do as the Romans do…

I was in to have a sonogram of my stomach and kidneys. I have some issues on recent blood tests that are showing elevated figures in several areas. It seems that my kidneys are passable, stomach is passable and everything else is passable. Except one thing that the Doctor caught. I have a big scary spot on my liver…

So before I get all excited about the consequences of a spot on my liver. I will wait until I see a specialist and see what she says. Yes, I will use a specialist from the same Russian clinic. They even have MRI if needed and all modern technology available…

The cost is what floors me. A Doctor visit costs me 600 rubles ($20). The Sonogram cost 1200 rubles ($40) and took over an hour to do. I will be able to get a MRI done for around $300 and less if CT scan is used. No, this is not copay or insurance type costs. This is everyday cost for someone not part of the system…

I still am amazed every time I go to the doctor in Russia. The doctors are some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. They always give the time needed to take care of you. I never wonder what just happened, because they talk to you like a human…

Taking care of my health has overshadowed writing three articles a day in Windows to Russia. I will have to balance with all that I am doing.

But I will also keep things updated and drinking my morning cup of coffee… 🙂

Windows to Russia!

What is Russia Up To… (01/19/2011)


Russia and China were the major sellers of US Treasuries in November as bond yields surged sharply higher that month, according to the latest government data. China’s portfolio shrank by $11.2bn to $895.6bn in November, while Russia reduced its holdings from $131.6bn to $122.5bn, its lowest since last April…

Some More tidbits of news…

  • China and Russia sought greater international clout at a summit Tuesday, with China promising a $10 billion loan to Central Asian countries, while Russia challenged the dominance of the U.S. dollar as a global reserve currency….

  • A French amphibious assault ship like the one Russia hopes to buy arrived Monday in St. Petersburg, fueling concern in Georgia and other ex-Soviet nations that Russia is upgrading its navy to intimidate its neighbors….

  • The World Bank on Wednesday said Russia’s economy would see a “robust” recovery in 2010, hiking its growth forecast to up to 5.5 percent but warned the rebound would be tainted by high unemployment.”Russia is likely to witness a robust but jobless recovery,” the Bank said in its latest Russia report.It predicted Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) would grow between 5.0 and 5.5 percent this year, gaining traction in a global turnaround driven by developing powerhouses China, India and Brazil.

  • Tens of thousands in northwest Russia were left without electricity when a storm ripped through the region after weeks of drought, with the bad weather set to hit Moscow.The emergencies ministry in the Leningrad region around Russia’s second city of Saint Petersburg said almost 100,000 people in 1,500 towns and villages in northwest Russia were without power.The storm, which was also felt in Saint Petersburg, saw high winds and driving rain and felled several trees. Train traffic was also affected.

Windows to Russia!

Russia and British Petroleum…


Rosneft, the Russian oil giant, and BP! Is this an interesting combination that has developed out of the lashing that BP took from the USA over the last oil spill?

Could be or could not be. But I do know that it is a big deal and after hearing squeaks at first of discontent from America. We in Russia are now hearing screams of Western discontent…

Politicians voice fears over Alaska pipelines, Gulf payouts and risk of Kremlin influence on major supplier to US military. Britain’s leading oil company, BP, is facing hostility and suspicion from the US over an alliance with the Russian state oil firm Rosneft that opens up vast areas of untapped wilderness off the coast of Siberia and beneath the Arctic shelf. (Read More Link)

I have been watching the relationship grow between Russia and BP. Putin has made it clear that he did not consider BP solely to blame for the incident: “Our experts have scrutinized the tragedy: we know that BP was the organizer of the project, but there were also eight subcontractors, including several major US companies.” This is a feather in BP’s hat because Russia offers significant protection for BP from America…

This relationship is a win win for both sides and Russia is courting this situation. Russia takes advantage of weakness when they see it and the Gulf Oil Spill showed many weaknesses on Americas part. The energy section of the planet is Russia’s business…

Windows to Russia!