First, there was the brutal murder of Russia’s outspoken journalist Anna Politkovskaya, and now the sinister poisoning of former KGB colonel Alexander Litvinenko, also a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin.
The former security agent is living in exile in Britain and became ill after meeting a contact in a restaurant in a restaurant in London this 
month. He is in serious condition in hospital and a highly toxic metal thallium was identified as being used.
His fearless and highly critical writings have been seized and confiscated by the Russian Secret Service, but Litvinenko continues to reveal the secrets behind Putin’s rule, how the right hand of Osama bin Laden, the Number Two in “Al-Qaeda” was trained at the secret base of the Russian secret services on Caucasus, and many more dark secrets too. Like Anna, he also wanted to tell the truth about the brutal slayings in Chechnya.
Putin cannot bear to be criticised, a glimpse into his background explains why. He lived in a typically cramped communal flat with shared kitchen and bathroom, teeming with rats and cockroaches. He knows how grim life is for most ordinary Russians. His burning ambition was always to be a Soviet secret agent. It is perhaps typical of his determination that he never veered from that ambition. Loyalty and discipline seem were the qualities that attracted him to the KGB. And that is the sort of man he apparently sees himself as: a dedicated fighter, a loyal patriot. It explains why he is so intolerant of criticism. It also explains why he is untroubled by suspicions that the KGB’s main role has always been to repress dissent. His sole intention now
seems to consolidate his own authority, to stave off democracy.
Mr Putin’s message to the Russian people is that he wants to restore their country’s prestige, and give them the decent life and prosperity that for so long has been denied them. But this does not seem to be happening, as one impoverished state employee pointed out to Putin:
“Question 4: The salary of federal employees is so small, that such a salary only covers food and traveling to work. This does not give people who have chosen to work for the state the opportunity to have families and to ensure their worthy existence and development. Such a situation encourages corruption and encourages qualified personnel to leave the civil service. In short, this results in disorder in all parts of civil service. I am confident that the situation can be changed quite easily. When will the government be interested in having honest state employees?
Andrei, 27 years old, St Petersburg.
Answer (Putin): Yes, the salaries of civil servants are really very small, though in practice they increase every three years. In addition, legislation stipulates that the salaries of civil servants are connected to the salaries of servicemen and personnel in the law enforcement agencies. And if we increase the salaries of civil servants then we must increase the salaries of all these categories of employees. It is obvious that to do this at once would be difficult.
This is an example of what Litvinenko has written about Putin, strong and “treacherous” stuff:
“What can make the president of Russia call for “truth” and “to resist to violence and evil”, when he acts on the contrary, that is suppresses the choice and will of whole people with terror, and lies constantly? The answer is simple: only the fear before the inevitable repayment for the committed crimes against humanity and genocide can make the head of a state to lie publicly and to deceive. Hypocrisy and lie makes Putin similar to Hitler, and more and more citizens, attentively watching the newsreel and seeing serially shouting from the screen of TV the leaders of the Third Reich and modern Russia begin to recognize their amazing similarity and to understand, who actually Mr. Putin is.”
Putin needs to know that whenever a critic is murdered, then the finger will point at him and he will arouse worldwide condemnation. Putin can’t silence all his critics.
P.S. If there are any experts on body language reading this, what do the downcast eyes indicate? They do seem to have very similar expressions, very unhappy countenances.
I hope the Russian people will continue to find those who can speak out. Our Governments realpolitick of needing Russian fuel and non-intervention in the middle east means that we are sadly stymied in the our public criticism of the deteriorating political structure of Russia today.
Putin is definately sending Russia back the wrong way. Killing dissidents in Picadilly is a sign of what he is.
Ellee, I can see how things look from over there. Putin inherited a mess, with all direction and national prestige, let alone income for the ordinary person stripped away and straight after the 98 crash. He made mistakes in his first term but most agree his second term has been better and he has done a lot – put Russia back on the map,kept prices down e.g. petrol has been 18.5 roubles a litre now for a year and the dollar has been 26.5 roubles over the same time period. Costs are still way down [though rising]and salaries have increased. Teaching salaries have doubled in 2 years, as have doctors. No one’s trying to make out things are good but they could have been a heck of a lot worse, believe me. So, he bumps off critics – it’s always been the Russian way. You’re shocked because you’re British and because you like this woman, which I do too and because you’re you. Don’t get me wrong. But to say there’s some sort of deep-seated national resentment and uprising over here – it’s not exactly that way. Russians are clever enough to know that what replaces him could be another Stalin.
James, I was hoping you would give us your personal insights from the Russian Federation. But I need a lot more convincing. Regarding salaries, you can see how people there are still very poor from the state worker’s question.
I’m “shocked” as a human being because of Putin’s record, he appears to be nothing more than a dictator, sitting on the most valuable weapon – his oil reserves.
I don’t buy the argument, “better the devil you know”. As I said before, only cowards fear the truth, he can’t silence all his critics.
I was shocked when I read and heard this story this morning, especially as it happened in London. I’m very interested to read James’ thoughts on it because it shows how perspectives on a news item can differ because of where we are.
Why are you so sure that it is a Russian work? No-one can call the world of espionage noble and honest. It is really silly to think that CIA or MI5 don’t get their hands dirty.
Strange coincidence – Putin doesn’t want to sign Energy Charter Treaty and immediately very conveniently bodies of his critics start to appear. Ha-ha!
Use your heads – don’t read newspapers and watch TV.
I know very little about the Russians.. only that my friend Ellen Rapoport is Russian and a great Concert Pianist.
Seems a very tough, unforgiving place. What Putin is said to have done comes as no surprise!
NFB, Who else would want to silence those who criticise Putins but himself? Latest update says as much.
http://www.mosnews.com/news/2006/11/20/kremlinresponse.shtml
I shall watch what happens regarding the Energy Charter Treaty with interest.
Ellee, do you know what ‘provocation’ means? Of course you do, but strangely enough trying to make everyone believe that politics are as simple as a child’s play in the sand pit.
Well, it is not the case. First – you and others have to wait until investigation is finished. I believe this the rule in your civilised country. Please, do not deprive of this right others, because that would be a double standard.
And what do you expect from the Russian Government? To admit the accusations – ‘oh, yes! We poisoned that traitor!’? It would be stupid thing to do if they did, which I doubt, and the absolutely idiotic if they didn’t. Isn’t it?
NFB, No, we don’t expect confessions from the Russian Government. The truth will be told by Alexander, hopefully very soon. It is a topic which is being followed very closely in the UK.
I do appreciate your comments from Russia.
Well, the Russian Government do not expect and will not accept any conclusions and accusations from Western journalists and politics. To be honest, nobody gives a damn about Russia’s reputation on the West anymore – it is 2006, not 1986. We ALWAYS have been, is and will be bad for you just because we are Russians. So what? Whatever!
If Litvinenko knew the truth he would have already told that. It is only up to Scotland Yard to tell the truth now – not for you or me. Or anyone else. I do understand that what I’m saying is not convenient for vast majority of British public and I won’t bother you again.
But you have to admit that this Russia-bashing sessions will not help the investigation and finding out the truth.
Have a nice evening! )))
NFB, I have visited Russia and am fascinated with the country, I hope you will continue to comment, it is so interesting to hear your opinions, your very strong feelings about this situation.
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