Russia kicks British Consulate Out Of Moscow

[Altron]

Russia to limit British Council
Russian President Vladimir Putin - file photo
President Putin has acted against the activities of foreign NGOs
The Russian government has ordered the British Council to close down its two offices outside Moscow by the beginning of January.

The Russian foreign ministry said the council, which promotes British culture abroad, was operating illegally.

The British PM's office denied that the Council had acted illegally.

Russian officials have said the move was a retaliatory measure in the ongoing dispute over the London murder of Russian exile Alexander Litvinenko.

Relations between the UK and Russia have worsened since the former KGB agent was murdered in November 2006.

In July, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats over Moscow's refusal to extradite a key suspect in the murder.

Russia followed by expelling four British diplomats.

NGOs curbed

Russian foreign ministry officials said the British Council had violated Russian laws, including tax regulations.

Sergei Lavrov
The Russian Foreign Minister linked the move to the Litvinenko case

But in an interview with the BBC, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explicitly linked the order to Britain's expulsion of Russian diplomats in July.

He said Russia had been left with no choice but to retaliate over the affair.

Both the British Council and the UK Foreign Office said the council was fully compliant with Russian tax laws and operates on the basis of an agreement signed in the 1990s.

The council announced three months ago that it was closing nine regional offices by the end of the year and transferring operations to Russian partners.

Those closures leave the headquarters in Moscow, plus offices in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.

But a spokesman for UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown rejected the Russian allegations. "The British Council's activities in Russia are compliant with Russian and international law under the Vienna Convention and the 1994 cultural agreement between Britain and Russia," he said.

"The Council is fully entitled to operate in Russia, both in Moscow and elsewhere. We, the Council and its Russian partner organisations have every intention that its programme will continue," the spokesman said.

A British Council spokeswoman told the BBC that the council intends to continue its operations in Russia at the three remaining offices.

The council is a registered charity funded by the British government. Its stated purpose is to promote British culture and education and build relationships between people in the UK and other countries.

Moscow has acted to curb NGOs in recent years, accusing foreign governments of using them for political purposes.


linkage: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7139959.stm

[Tleilaxu]

More huff and puff from a defunct superpower. They are acting like a spoiled five year old brat.

[AbnormallyNormal]

too bad putin killed that one guy in the uk, now he has a lotta 'splainin to do

[Tleilaxu]

Perhaps a smaller version of the Soviet Union will be reborn.

[Diceman]

Ahhh,great!
first they start throwing foreign elements from the country,what are they gonna do next?
Open War?

[makeoutparadise]

And so It begins :ninja...

[Altron]

Ahhh,great!
first they start throwing foreign elements from the country,what are they gonna do next?
Open War?

Sorry the last job will probably be Iran :awesome

[Tleilaxu]

No now Russia is going to cut off oil supplies siting that the Germans along with the Ukrainians are planning to invade them.

[ryne11]

It Begins :pek

[Diceman]

There are a lot of countries who wanna start a war.
It's almost like a war-paradise:awesome

[AbnormallyNormal]

There are a lot of countries who wanna start a war.
It's almost like a war-paradise:awesome

its because USA kills international cooperation and obedience to united nations, now each regional power goes its own way and makes tensions with other powers

[FinalDragon13]

funny shit, putin is a funny guy.

[Altron]

does anyone here feel like we are back to June 28, 1914, right before WWI. :awesome

[Tleilaxu]

its because USA kills international cooperation and obedience to united nations, now each regional power goes its own way and makes tensions with other powers

Oh dont give me that crap. Its not the USA's fault that Russia is acting like a child that had its doll taken away. Guess who Europe is going to come running to when Russia really pulls something.

[Diceman]

its because USA kills international cooperation and obedience to united nations, now each regional power goes its own way and makes tensions with other powers

I think its a delayed fallout from the Cold War.Back then it East vs West.Almost everyone had to pick a side.But when the greater goal was achieved,personal stuff was top priority again.

[AbnormallyNormal]

does anyone here feel like we are back to June 28, 1914, right before WWI. :awesome

yes i do and i have for a few years now since bush took office and did stupid things out of machismo and ignorance

Oh dont give me that crap. Its not the USA's fault that Russia is acting like a child that had its doll taken away. Guess who Europe is going to come running to when Russia really pulls something.

um when the by far most powerful country disregards the will of the world community repeatedly and gets away with it, what message does that send?

[ItNeverRains]

Mmm...

Putin Jong Il.

[Sexta Espada]

I find it funny how everybody finds Russia to be a war mongering state, when the US has invaded many more countries. Just a little note, something to consider.

Anyway, yeah. Good for them, I guess.

[Diceman]

I find it funny how everybody finds Russia to be a war mongering state, when the US has invaded many more countries. Just a little note, something to consider.

Anyway, yeah. Good for them, I guess.

Good point,actually.When USA invades someplace or invents a piece of weaponry,they say "protecting freedom,etc etc".
But when another country does the same,they all go on like " they are warmongerers,they want to start a war,they were the ones who brought down WTC....."
No empathy at all,I wonder why:awesome

[Tleilaxu]

um when the by far most powerful country disregards the will of the world community repeatedly and gets away with it, what message does that send?


When the said country has helped these nations get to where they are today what does it say about them? Every nation has the right to act in self defense what is what the USA is currently doing. We waited years for support before making our move but NO ONE was willing to give it so what are we supposed to do?

What Russia is doing cannot be constituded as self defense measure LOL

To the other posts name the said countries. Iraq and afghanistan do not count. I certain dont rewcall the USA forcing its views down the throat of Eastern Europe for the past 50 years.

[Diceman]

What Russia is doing cannot be constituded as self defense measure LOL
.

Its called progress?

[Coteaz]

does anyone here feel like we are back to June 28, 1914, right before WWI. :awesome
Too bad Deutschland doesn't have Ludenhorff or Hindenburg to repel the inevitable Ruskie invasion of East Germany...:awesome

[Tleilaxu]

Its called progress?

Its called being a brat LOL democracies cannot prohibit what the English consolate was doing because that would be interfereing with free speech LOL. Russia is certainly cracking down and heading back to a true police state.

[Diceman]

Its called being a brat LOL democracies cannot prohibit what the English consolate was doing because that would be interfereing with free speech LOL. Russia is certainly cracking down and heading back to a true police state.

So,democracy didnt work,they are going back to a polic state.It's still progress

[Tleilaxu]

True but in the wrong direction!

[Diceman]

True but in the wrong direction!

But who gives you the right of judging it?
Just because it isnt conventional,doesnt mean its wrong.

[Tleilaxu]

Because Russia is clearly reverting back to its Soviet ways and as you know the Soviets were not exactly steller when it comes to liberties of its citizens and neighbors.

[Diceman]

Because Russia is clearly reverting back to its Soviet ways and as you know the Soviets were not exactly steller when it comes to liberties of its citizens and neighbors.

so,you oppose the limiting of civil liberties to strengthen the nation?

[Tleilaxu]

If your a democracy your are fundemantally prohibited from severly cracking down on civil liberties like free speech and expression.

[Diceman]

But,if they revert back to their soviet ways,they arent technically a democracy now,are they?
So,they have no prohibition.
(According to your statements,i'm guessing that you are against Patriot act?)

[Tleilaxu]

I do not see how the Patriot act goes against liberites. From what I am understanding is it just gives the government more leeway into spying on potential terrorists in the USA.

Also that was a good point you made but right now Russia still claims its a democracy.

[Diceman]

I do not see how the Patriot act goes against liberites. From what I am understanding is it just gives the government more leeway into spying on potential terrorists in the USA.

Also that was a good point you made but right now Russia still claims its a democracy.


From my understanding,everyone could be a potential(!) terorist.SO they spy on ppl randomly?Kinda goes against civil liberties IMO.
Claiming and doing are two seperate things.I get your point though

[Tleilaxu]

True kinda goes against privacy but as long as it does not interfere with peoples abilities to express themselves freely then I have no issue with it. As silly as it sounds I actually trust the government no to overstep its bounds. I certainly dont think they spy randomly, thats a waste of rescources most likely the person in question likely has some warning signs that would covern the "spies"

[Sky is Over]

I do not see how the Patriot act goes against liberites. From what I am understanding is it just gives the government more leeway into spying on potential terrorists in the USA.

Also that was a good point you made but right now Russia still claims its a democracy.

Ugh, the controversy around the Patriot Act is so DAMN STUPID. :D:

Anyways, Russia jumping straight back up to the plate doesn't really scare me; in this day and age, they'll never be a direct war between the two countries. They'll strap another country with weapons and get them to do the fighting for them, that's how the post-nuclear world works.

[Twirl]

True, since both countries have enough nuclear weapons to destroy the planet many times over...

[AbnormallyNormal]

When the said country has helped these nations get to where they are today what does it say about them? Every nation has the right to act in self defense what is what the USA is currently doing. We waited years for support before making our move but NO ONE was willing to give it so what are we supposed to do?

What Russia is doing cannot be constituded as self defense measure LOL

To the other posts name the said countries. Iraq and afghanistan do not count. I certain dont rewcall the USA forcing its views down the throat of Eastern Europe for the past 50 years.

you really think the USA has like created the success of all other nations? what the fuck are you smoking. of course each nation's success is determined by its own PEOPLE not by the USA. the USA is acting in 'self defense' by aggressively invading random poor nations half a world away which had no capacity to threaten it at all? thats insane bullshit. maybe there is a reason no other nation was willing to support your insane american adventurism! you should have thought about that instead of just continuing with it. russia is just retaining the right to move its armed forces around INSIDE ITS OWN COUNTRY. lol what the fuck how is that even remotely the same level as the USA *invading* other countries??? seriously you are incredibly biased

[Le Male]

Come on England. We don't have to worry about Russia. If they mess with the UK, they also mess with us. That why i'm happy that my country don't comsume lot of russian oil, most of our energy is from our own nuclear centrals.

[Tleilaxu]

you really think the USA has like created the success of all other nations? of course if it were not for us Hilter would have pwned you all. And Japan would have gotten the other parts that Hitler could not get, and assuming that somehow the Soviets were able to defeat Hilter then Europe and Asia would have then been under a commie state and would just now be starting to recover, they would not enjoy the prosperity they have now in thanks to our efforts to safeguard them. As for Russia moving arms with in its own borders I dont care about that Russia is not at this time a serious threat.

And has it occured to you that these "random poor nations" are supporting and harboring our enemies? That is justification enough for military action.

[Cax]

Well, if we're gonna start saying how the US created success for all the other nations, how about we start goin on about who created the US Success? Americans are transcendents from the British, excluding your native 'already-there' Indians and what not. America would be probably nothing if it wasn't for the British.

Theres no need to go on about that, because even then, we can link back to the first known people to contribute something and create a stronger nation then themselves..

[Juno]

of course if it were not for us Hilter would have pwned you all.

:facepalm Oh, here we go...

It was actually the Russians who did more for the war effort than America. And to nip this in the bud, it was a collected effort. I absolutely hate it when fellow Americans like you open their mouth and try to garner all the credit for what was a very prolonged, very tragic war that would never have been won if not for ALL the nations taking part in it.

And as an American you should know that we rarely do anything that doesn't suit our interests. We sold weapons to the allies in WWII to buy our way out of the depression, we only joined the war to 'do the right thing' when it was clear we were next if Europe fell. We didn't invade iraq to 'liberate' anyone, but to control the oil supplies. Odd, don't you think, that every country we claim to help out often results in a good payout? There is nothing generous about America's foreign policy. It is amazingly selfish, actually. We even treat our allies like shit these days.

America has been throwing its weight around, waging illegal wars in the middle east and creating unnecessary diplomatic tensions with Iran. When America acts so self-servingly, we are no longer able to turn around and criticise Russia for acting the same.

[Zhongda]

Go Russia!!

[Tokoyami]

GTFO OF MAH MOTHALAND!!!!!!

[AbnormallyNormal]

of course if it were not for us Hilter would have pwned you all. And Japan would have gotten the other parts that Hitler could not get, and assuming that somehow the Soviets were able to defeat Hilter then Europe and Asia would have then been under a commie state and would just now be starting to recover, they would not enjoy the prosperity they have now in thanks to our efforts to safeguard them. As for Russia moving arms with in its own borders I dont care about that Russia is not at this time a serious threat.

And has it occured to you that these "random poor nations" are supporting and harboring our enemies? That is justification enough for military action.

you very selectively quote from history.... obviously ww2 is not the only major crisis of all time. saying the USA gets the credit for the entire world economy since then is absolutely asinine regardless. but of course what does that hve to do with the matter of the USA not obeying international laws? remember in the 1940's the USA itself created the united nations. so its really just a big change in the mindset of the US government, it has nothing to do with ww2.

[Diceman]

of course if it were not for us Hilter would have pwned you all. And Japan would have gotten the other parts that Hitler could not get, and assuming that somehow the Soviets were able to defeat Hilter then Europe and Asia would have then been under a commie state and would just now be starting to recover, they would not enjoy the prosperity they have now in thanks to our efforts to safeguard them. As for Russia moving arms with in its own borders I dont care about that Russia is not at this time a serious threat.

And has it occured to you that these "random poor nations" are supporting and harboring our enemies? That is justification enough for military action.

Wait up!
USA wasnt more instrumental than Russia in beating Hitler.If Russia didnt halt the advance of Nazis,you yanks would've needed more time to even attack Germany.
I think you should be more scared of a country that its willing to use a scorched earth policy than you are now.
(American arrogance,cant get enough of that:awesome)

[RAGING BONER]

funny shit, putin is a funny guy.

won't be so funny when he tatoo's the mark of the beast on the back of our hands :LOS

[kulgan18]

That settles it. Putin wants to be the new Zar

[Chi]

More huff and puff from a defunct superpower. They are acting like a spoiled five year old brat.

Lol wut? You read the article?
It's not Russia who started that crap. Brits expelled four Russian diplomats in July.
What are you expect Russians to do? Sit and just swallow it?

[Sexta Espada]

I do not see how the Patriot act goes against liberites. From what I am understanding is it just gives the government more leeway into spying on potential terrorists in the USA.

Also that was a good point you made but right now Russia still claims its a democracy.

Hm, you're either young or extremely ignorant. The Patriot Act can take away pretty much any of your rights, all on a little suspicsion. Not exactly a good thing for human rights either. Also, America itself hasn't always been keen on rights for all itself. Slavery, and then denial of sufferage are examples.

[spaZ]

Russia is going to get blasted here soon.. lol

[scottlw]

YES Russia rules :D

they can do it them selves :D

[Altron]

Wait up!
USA wasnt more instrumental than Russia in beating Hitler.If Russia didnt halt the advance of Nazis,you yanks would've needed more time to even attack Germany.
I think you should be more scared of a country that its willing to use a scorched earth policy than you are now.
(American arrogance,cant get enough of that:awesome)


Stalin was dumb enough to think hitler would keep his promise though he and the rest of the soviet union were shocked with operation barbarossa.Though until 1944 Stalin kept wining to the allies to open a second front against germany cuz he didn't like the fact that we decided to start opening a second front in Africa and he was saying we were leaving the soviet union on its own , and up until the defense of Stalingrad and Moscow Germany nearly had the Soviet Union and if not for the rallying of stalingrad and the russian winter/scorched earth policy the Soviet Union may have fallen to Nazi germany if hitler was smart enough to know how to get supplies more efficiently thoughout the biggest country on earth.

Russia was the one who kept begging the US and the rest of the allies to keep opening a second front against Nazi germany and he wasn't satisfied till we invaded Italy.

[Le Male]

I really think the american loved the WWII period, they love to talk about this dark part of the 20th century.

[Coteaz]

I really think the american loved the WWII period, they love to talk about this dark part of the 20th century.
It's our stock excuse for doing shit. "Lol wut? You don't like what we're doing? STFU, we saved ur asses in WWI and II."

...:facepalm

[Cirus]

Russia is just at it again. Give them some time, and we will all find out that they are just full of hot air.

[Jonas]

damm i luv russia. they so G.

[Nemesis]

Ahh the next stage in UK Russian diplomatic showdown that has been going down since the mid 90s.

Don't think for one second this all started with Litvenyenko (sp) things between the two nations have been souring basically since Yeltsen times (But in reality I don't think UK and Russia/Soviet union have really been close to good terms barring the times when Russia was in both World Wars). This all started when the crackdowns on the corrupt oil barons of Russia started. These guys who got rich by stealing money from the average Russian citizen and in the end became affiliated with the Russian mafia. Russia has been after 20+ of these who now reside in the UK which the UK government will not extradite to Russia (one of which was Beresovsky who even had Ties to chechen Terrorists).

Now then there was Litvenyenko saga which he was killed by someone presumably a Russian and close to Putin. UK government puts forward a Extradition request for him, Russia refuses citing number of reasons one of them being Britain's refusal to extradite to Russia Beresovsky and others.

Britain then expels most Russian Diplomats now Russia does same. The wonders of political games. Let's sit back and wonder how next Britain will respond in the next episode of the Russia Britain diplomatic soap opera.

[DemonAbyss10]

Just the classic stupidity of humanity, thats what is so great about this -_-

People in general, and i mean in the broadest sense possible, humanity itself is nothing but scattered groups that have to oppress one another in myriad ways just to get more of one or more of the following.

1) Land
2) Resources
3) An Ego Masturbation
4) Devending beliefs/existence

almost everything can be included in resources, so i have it in the broadest sense of the word, but whatever. What i am getting to is that these types of things will always happen if ever 1 person deems anything a threat against any of the following, or if there is a need for the following. Stupid thing is I feel humanity is just a collective bunch oif stupid animals that set themselves up for thier own demise. Now only if scientists found a way to shut of the instincts that trigger these responses and humanity as a whole was forced to have them shut down, then there would be a small hope for a doomed species.

[Sexta Espada]

Stalin was dumb enough to think hitler would keep his promise though he and the rest of the soviet union were shocked with operation barbarossa.Though until 1944 Stalin kept wining to the allies to open a second front against germany cuz he didn't like the fact that we decided to start opening a second front in Africa and he was saying we were leaving the soviet union on its own , and up until the defense of Stalingrad and Moscow Germany nearly had the Soviet Union and if not for the rallying of stalingrad and the russian winter/scorched earth policy the Soviet Union may have fallen to Nazi germany if hitler was smart enough to know how to get supplies more efficiently thoughout the biggest country on earth.

Russia was the one who kept begging the US and the rest of the allies to keep opening a second front against Nazi germany and he wasn't satisfied till we invaded Italy.

Hitler couldn't have gotten supplies to the front any better. I don't think you comprehend that the Germans needed huge amounts of supplies, and lacked the capacity to bring them to the front, due to their lack of oil and other fuel sources. They tried using coal, which helped somewhat, but they couldn't make fuel, make supplies, and get them to the front as well as the Russians could. partly because the German mindset was, and to some extent still is, that a few good machines are better than many mediocre ones. Russia on the other hand had the philosophy, "quanity has its own quality," on top of up to par equipment. So yeah. Also, the Soviets were winning, but the thing is, they were winning at great cost. While they would have won anyway, D-Day expedited the process, and saved Russian lives.

[Altron]

Hitler couldn't have gotten supplies to the front any better. I don't think you comprehend that the Germans needed huge amounts of supplies, and lacked the capacity to bring them to the front, due to their lack of oil and other fuel sources. They tried using coal, which helped somewhat, but they couldn't make fuel, make supplies, and get them to the front as well as the Russians could. partly because the German mindset was, and to some extent still is, that a few good machines are better than many mediocre ones. Russia on the other hand had the philosophy, "quanity has its own quality," on top of up to par equipment. So yeah. Also, the Soviets were winning, but the thing is, they were winning at great cost. While they would have won anyway, D-Day expedited the process, and saved Russian lives.

Of course i know the germans did not have the logistical capability to send supplies over the vast russian steppes. However until 1942 in the winter was the time when the soviets rallied from stalingrad and the tide of the german invasion was being pushed back by the russians. Though i have been saying if the germans had taken stalingrad and moscow before the winter struck they could have taken over the soviet union though the germans should have had a better plan since Europe was under nazi germany except great britain and of course the turning of the tide against nazi germany on the eastern front. though this is way off topic so i end my part here.

[MUSOLINI]

its because USA kills international cooperation and obedience to united nations, now each regional power goes its own way and makes tensions with other powers

amen, preach on. besides if it wasnt for the russians wed all be speaking german right about now. and whats up with the hate for russia? if there is one country that deserves just as much hate, if not more then its the US. the US are the ones acting like children talking shit about you cant do this or that, but we can.

also IF turkey would have allowed hitler to go through turkey to reach moskow, even the russians would have been beat. its cause the turks didnt allow their former partner to go through their lands (logical, as the fighting would involve them as well),which if they would have done would have created a free way to russia (moskou) where they could have kept resuplying their men.

also for the one who claimed at least the US isnt pushing its shit into the middle east? get the fuck outta here. the US has been suppoorting the saudi dictator and other dictatorships where they have advantages from. as long as their getting something from them they will keep doing business. for instance, the saudi king sells oil to them and they help him stay in power with troops. one of the true reasons osama is actually against the US. that and the fact israel isnt giving the palestinians their land back. not to say osama is right, im just saying people like bush are just as wrong as him.

[Altron]

amen, preach on. besides if it wasnt for the russians wed all be speaking german right about now. and whats up with the hate for russia? if there is one country that deserves just as much hate, if not more then its the US. the US are the ones acting like children talking shit about you cant do this or that, but we can.

also IF turkey would have allowed hitler to go through turkey to reach moskow, even the russians would have been beat. its cause the turks didnt allow their former partner to go through their lands (logical, as the fighting would involve them as well),which if they would have done would have created a free way to russia (moskou) where they could have kept resuplying their men.

also for the one who claimed at least the US isnt pushing its shit into the middle east? get the fuck outta here. the US has been suppoorting the saudi dictator and other dictatorships where they have advantages from. as long as their getting something from them they will keep doing business. for instance, the saudi king sells oil to them and they help him stay in power with troops. one of the true reasons osama is actually against the US. that and the fact israel isnt giving the palestinians their land back. not to say osama is right, im just saying people like bush are just as wrong as him.

unless you are ignorant, stupid, living in a cave, or all of the above, if you have noticed the US is arguable the most hated nation on earth just below North Korea. I guess though its the weed u guys smoke that is talking :awesome Too much smoking weed is gonna kill ya brains cells. :zaru

[MUSOLINI]

unless you are ignorant, stupid, living in a cave, or all of the above, if you have noticed the US is arguable the most hated nation on earth just below North Korea. I guess though its the weed u guys smoke that is talking :awesome Too much smoking weed is gonna kill ya brains cells. :zaru

unless you are stupid, ignorant and living on mars. you would have noticed that the US is the country with the most allies in the world. yeah we dutch dont like the american government, yet our government is supporting it. how is that hated in your narrow minded view? if there was any justice, the US and israel among other countries (russia, china) would have been sanctioned a long time ago. yet, if theyll ever get sanctioned i will be the most surprised person in the world. and you wanna claim its hated? fuck that. it must be those green house gasses that must have killed your braincells. i going to sleep.

[Altron]

unless you are stupid, ignorant and living on mars. you would have noticed that the US is the country with the most allies in the world. yeah we dutch dont like the american government, yet our government is supporting it. how is that hated in your narrow minded view? if there was any justice, the US and israel among other countries (russia, china) would have been sanctioned a long time ago. yet, if theyll ever get sanctioned i will be the most surprised person in the world. and you wanna claim its hated? fuck that. it must be those green house gasses that must have killed your braincells. i going to sleep.

wow! You really are a moron, unless u missed the time magazine where it said "what country poses the greatest threat to peace?" guess what? We topped even North Korea. No i think it is the weed fucking up your brain, though no worries some booze can take care of that. :zaru "i going to sleep" reinforces my belief that you are a braindead moron. :pek

Come back when that dope hasn't fucked up your mind even more. :awesome

[Sky is Over]

@Altron, well even though we're disliked by many of nations of the world, they know that the policy of this country can shift from time to time, and that we're still good to keep at their side incase they need to be bailed out.

[kulgan18]

I will like to comment one thing. They way russia killed Litvinenko was really fuck'd up.

They cant go around doing shit like that.
So from that perspective i support the british attempt on investigation/prosecution in that case, if that means that both countries will expel each other diplomats thats how it is i guess.

[Le Male]

It's our stock excuse for doing shit. "Lol wut? You don't like what we're doing? STFU, we saved ur asses in WWI and II."

...:facepalm

Ahahah the famous: "WE SAVE YOUR ASSES IN WWII" :laugh:laugh