Windows to Russia!: February 2008

Russia: Volga Automobile, Part 3 Classic Beauty!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Friday, February 29, 2008 :

Hello,

This is Part 3 of The Volga Car! Part 1 & Part 2 are about the history and technical side of the Volga. Today we show the Classic Beauty of the Volga Automobile!

http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-volga-automobile-part-2.html
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-volga-automobile-part-1-history.html
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-model-24-volga.html

This is a Video from Russia about the different models of Volga and has been given a modern twist...

Kyle

comments always welcome

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Russian News: February 29th, 2008!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Friday, February 29, 2008 :

RBC, 29.02.2008, Moscow 14:55:12.France's automobile producer Renault and AVTOVAZ are planning to develop a new low-cost car, Sergei Chemezov, Chairman of the Russian car maker's Board of Directors, stated today. AVTOVAZ intends to use Renault's engine and transmission for the car, while producing the rest unaided, Chemezov said. The new car is projected to be a station wagon seven-seater, and it is expected to be rolled out by 2009.

RBC, 29.02.2008, Moscow 14:05:42.The Bank of Russia is not planning to change its annual inflation forecast of 8.5 percent for 2008, radio Echo of Moscow reported today, citing the bank's First Deputy Chairman Alexei Ulyukayev. He pointed out that Russia could meet the target, adding that the figure itself was not as important, as the downward trend. Ulyukayev noted that the government was capable of curbing inflation, despite an inflation rate exceeding 3 percent in the first two months of the year.

RBC, 29.02.2008, Moscow 13:29:28.Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) has applied once again to the Russian Anti-Monopoly Service for the permission to purchase an iron and steel producer Maxi Group, a source close to the company reported today. Meanwhile, NLMK's press office did not comment on the matter.

RBC, 29.02.2008, Moscow 12:48:53.OGK-6's Board of Directors has approved an issue of 22,468,978 shares as preparation for a merger with OGK-6 Holding, the power generation company stated today.

RBC, 29.02.2008, Moscow 12:39:28.AVTOVAZ and France's car producer Renault have signed an agreement on strategic cooperation. The document was signed by the Russian state technology corporation, Russia's leading automobile producer AVTOVAZ, Troika Dialog investment company, Rosoboronexport, and Renault. Chairman of AVTOVAZ Sergei Chemezov pointed out that the company's restructuring was to be completed in July 2008. Once the process has been completed, Rosobornexport, Troika Dilaog, and Renault will be AVTOVAZ's main shareholders.

RBC, 29.02.2008, Chelyabinsk 12:19:43.TGK-10 has announced today an issue of 633m additional shares with a par value of RUB 1.66 (approx. USD 0.069) each, the regional power generation company reported. The issue is expected to account for 57.73 percent of the company's increased share capital, and the offering price has been set at RUB 111.80 (approx. USD 4.64). TGK-10 has invited investors to place bids for the issue, and Troika Dialog will act as the company's broker. Proceeds from the issue are not projected to exceed RUB 46.6bn (approx. USD 1.932bn).

RBC, 29.02.2008, Moscow 10:48:34.Russia has made a statement at the UN Security Council meeting that the deployment of an EU mission in Kosovo was illegal, Russia's Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin was cited by the Vesti TV channel as saying, following closed consultations at the UN. The mission's deployment is illegal and does not comply with UN resolution 1244, which has been repeatedly declared valid by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Churkin noted.

RBC, 29.02.2008, Moscow 10:40:54.Russia and Hungary signed a cooperation agreement in Moscow on Thursday for building a gas pipeline to transit natural gas across Hungarian territory. The document was endorsed following a meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany and Russian President Vladimir Putin by Finance Minister Janos Veres of Hungary and Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko of Russia. The accord provides for Hungary's inclusion in the implementation of the South Stream project.

RBC, 29.02.2008, Moscow 09:27:45.Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered an address to the Russian people ahead of the presidential election, the leader's press office reported. In his speech, the President encouraged Russians to exercise their right of vote on March 2. "Every vote matters, and the opinion of each one of you is important. I ask you come to the election on Sunday and vote for our future, Russia's future," he said.

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From Russian MIR to International Space Station! (ISS)

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Thursday, February 28, 2008 :

(Top photo MIR & Bottom Photo ISS)

Hello,

I was drinking my wonderful cup of morning coffee & thinking today about the MIR Space Station, which lead me thinking about the International Space Station!

The MIR (Russian: Мир, which can mean both Peace and World) was a Soviet (and later Russian) orbital station. MIR was humanity's first consistently inhabited long-term research station in space, and the first 'third generation' type space station, constructed over a number of years with a modular design.

MIR currently holds the record for longest continuous human presence in space at eight days short of 10 years, and, through a number of collaborations, was made internationally accessible to cosmonauts and astronauts of many different countries. The most notable of these, the Shuttle-MIR Program, saw American Space Shuttles visiting the station eleven times, bringing supplies and providing crew rotation. MIR was assembled in orbit by successively connecting several modules, each launched separately from 1986 to 1996.

The station existed until 23 March 2001, at which point it was deliberately de-orbited, breaking apart during atmospheric re-entry over the South Pacific Ocean.

The Famous MIR was replaced by a joint adventure called, The International Space Station(ISS) which is a research facility currently being assembled in space. The on-orbit assembly of ISS began in 1998. The space station is in a low Earth orbit and can be seen from Earth with the naked eye: it has an altitude of 350-460 km (189-248 statute miles) above the surface of the Earth, and travels at an average speed of 27,700 km (17,210 statute miles) per hour, completing 15.77 orbits per day. The ISS is a joint project among the space agencies of the United States (NASA), Russia (RKA), Japan (JAXA), Canada (CSA) and several European countries (ESA).

The ISS is a continuation of what began as the U.S. Space Station Freedom, the funding for which was cut back severely. It represents a merger of Freedom with several other previously planned space stations: Russia's Mir 2, the planned European Columbus and Kibo, the Japanese Experiment Module. The projected completion date is 2010, with the station remaining in operation until around 2016. As of 2008, the ISS is already larger than any previous space station.

The International Space Station has a role to play as NASA moves forward with a new focus for the manned space program, which is to go out beyond Earth orbit for purposes of human exploration and scientific discovery. "The International Space Station is now a stepping stone on the way," says Griffin, "rather than being the end of the line". He says ISS crews not only will continue to learn how to live and work in space but also will learn how to build hardware that can survive and function for the years required to make the round-trip voyage from Earth to Mars.

I find it wonderful that the world can work together and build this Space Station! It is really something to be proud of, but it makes me wonder why: Even in Soviet Union times, that world scientific groups could work together to achieve great goals, but Governments of Countries have to play games?

Think about it: If governments would get along like the Scientific Community does in the World, We would probably have a lot less problems! Scientist from all over the world work together many times, they respect intellect! Knowledge is Power!

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome

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Russia: Medvedev, New Sheriff in Town!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Thursday, February 28, 2008 :

Hello,

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee & reading an article about the soon to be new Sheriff in Town!
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In his most strident attack to date on the United States, Medvedev accused Washington of inciting strife in Europe by backing Kosovo's independence.

"They are putting Europe in a very difficult position ... we understand that America is risking nothing, it is far away," Medvedev said on a visit to the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod.

"The saddest thing ... is that the stability and security of the whole region are being put under threat. All you have to do is put a match to it and the whole thing will catch fire."
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Lets hope that no one brings matches to Kosovo!

Kyle

comments always welcome.

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More on: Phillip Miles!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Thursday, February 28, 2008 :

Friday, February 29, 2008

The embassy called Lynn Friday morning to report they were able to visit with Phillip for over an hour. It was a very good and casual visit. Phillip looked well although he is taking advantage of his time away from Lynn to grow his very first beard. He knows when he comes home, the beard will need to stay in Russia.

He told them about each of his cellmates and what they are like. He told lots of funny stories and it was obvious to the embassy officials that he is very fond of the men and the guards who watch over him. He told them all about the cabin in Clayton, Ga. where he and Lynn have taken sabbaticals. He related that he dreams about feeding the deer and watching the birds on the front porch with Lynn. He also told them about some of the people at church and had them all laughing.

They are very impressed with Phillip's demeanor and how well he is conducting himself while imprisoned. There is not much news to report about his case except that the lawyers continue to make progress on his behalf.

==============================

Interesting article about the Pastor, I will pass it on. Just another part of the Puzzle!
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Grigory Pasko: A Pastor Behind Bars
http://www.robertamsterdam.com/2008/02/grigory_pasko_a_pastor_behind.htm
In Russia they’re accusing an American clergyman of arms smuggling

By Grigory Pasko, journalist

In Moscow, not far from the pretentiously ostentatious building of the state corporation «Rosatom», is found the plain and inconspicuous construction in which the «Slavic legal center» has made its home. At the entrance, on the security guard’s desk, I see a pile of magazines entitled «Religion and law». I find out that these magazines are published by the center. Later, it becomes clear that the editor-in-chief of the magazine, Anatoly Pchelintsev, and I know each other, having met once previously.

Vladimir Ryakhovskiy, the managing director of the center, a former judge, now a lawyer, met me in his office. First we talked about the center: what it does, what cases the lawyers are working on, and so forth. It turned out that Ryakhovskiy and Pchelintsev were the lawyers in the famous case of the religious organization «Salvation Army» which was lost by Russia in the International Court of Human Rights (the essence of the case was that the Russian authorities had tried to prohibit the activities of this religious organization on the territory of the RF on the grounds that it could not call itself an “army”. An army, they had decided in Russia, could be only aviational, marine, or land).

The essence of the case Vladimir Ryakhovskiy is working on right now is as follows: Phillip Houston Miles, a pastor from South Carolina who was part of a group of American missionaries, flew into the Moscow airport Sheremetyevo-2 to fly on further to Perm. There, he’s got a friend, also a pastor, who is called Eduard and who, like Phillip, is an inveterate hunter.

On the eve of Miles’s flight out from the USA, Eduard reported to him that he had acquired a hunting carbine. True, things were a bit tight in Russia with bullets for it.

Apparently, pastor Miles decided to make a present for his friend in faraway Russia. He, as I imagine this is done in America, went to the nearest store and bought a box of American bullets there for 25 dollars. By American laws, there’s nothing bad in this. And by American standards, this is an ordinary thing: to buy bullets.

No doubt the staff at the airport in the USA knew about this ordinary thing too. At any rate, they didn’t show any interest whatsoever in pastor Miles’s bullets.

But the Russian customs officers were very interested. They proposed to Miles – the only one of the group of missionaries – to scan his baggage. Seeing a suspicious-looking box, they asked the pastor what it was. The pastor honestly replied: these are bullets, which I’m taking to my friend in Perm.

They drew up a report, confiscated the bullets, and allowed the pastor to fly on to Perm. Upon returning from Perm, on 3 February of this year, they detained the pastor right at Sheremetyevo, presenting him with a charge of having committed a crime under Article 222 – “unlawful acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transport or bearing of weaponry, component parts thereof, munitions, explosive substances and explosive devices”. It is not by accident that I have cited the name of the Article. The fact is that in the USA, all this – acquisition, storage, sale, transport, and so on – is not a violation of the law.

In Russia it is. Furthermore. In Russia, they very much love the saying: ignorance of the law does not release from liability (as if though knowledge of the law does…).

In short, they arrested the pastor and sent him off to investigative isolator No. 5 of the city of Moscow. Where the 68-year-old is sitting to this day.

So that is the essence of the case.

I listened to lawyer Ryakhovskiy and waited intently for additional information to that which had been said. “It can’t be”, thought I, “that everything’s so simple”. The fact is that based on my own experience in dealing with the inhabitants of Russia’s jails, I know that Article 222 is not considered a particularly serious crime. The term of punishment there is from two to four years. That is, there was no need to apply a measure of restraint – confinement under guard [during the pre-trial investigative period—Trans.]. Unless, of course, the Russian investigators had far-reaching plans.

It turns out they did have such plans.

Subsequently, lawyer Ryakhovskiy reported the following.

“I understood that there was no reason to have arrested the pastor. After all, in his actions – and this is evident – there was no criminal intent. Furthermore, the pastor from Perm provided to our disposal permission to the right to the use of his winchester – the bullets that pastor Miles was bringing fit it specifically. The identity of pastor Miles also did not raise questions: he was coming to Russia with missionary objectives for the 12th time already.

However, soon after, yet another Article was added to 222: Article 188 – contraband [Russian for “smuggling” or “illegal trafficking”—Trans.]. Now this is considered a “serious” crime. Under it, the term of punishment is up to seven years.

The seriousness of an Article is Russia is considered substantial grounds for holding the accused under guard. Plus add to this that Miles is not a citizen of the RF, he does not have a permanent place of residence in the RF, and he, in the opinion of the investigation, could abscond from the court [Russian for “jump bail”—Trans.].

Lawyer Anatoly Pchelintsev came in and joined the conversation. He recalled an incident from his practice.

“Several years ago, we were defending a certain Okhotin, a citizen of the USA. He’s an emigrant, a Baptist. He was bringing money, 48 thousand dollars, in order to donate it for children’s homes [orphanages—Trans.] in Russia. There was a long line in the red corridor [“Items To Declare” at customs—Trans.] of the airport. A customs officer came up and advised him to go through the green corridor. It needs to be said that Okhotin had already filled in a declaration that he had a large sum of money with him. But he obeyed the customs officer and went through the green corridor. He had just gotten to the exit when they immediately arrested him. Okhotin was sentenced by a Russian court to deprivation of liberty for a term of one year, suspended. In so doing, they did not return the money either to Okhotin himself, or to the children’s homes, to which it was being taken.”

Ryakhovskiy continued.

“These cases differ in that there, there was money, while here, there are bullets. But in both this instance and that one, there is no intent to commit unlawful acts. And there is no cause to speak about the public danger of the criminal act.”

While the lawyers discussed their legal fine points, I was thinking about the more prosaic aspects of Russian life. Come on, do you really expect me to believe that the procuracy investigator, when tacking on Article 188 to the already-existent Article 222, honestly didn’t understand that the “contraband” charge was clearly excessive? Of course he understood. Because there was no intentional premeditated concealment of the bullets from customs control (they weren’t under something that would have screened them or hidden inside something); there was no fact of misleading declaration of goods; there were no counterfeit documents used… That is, many of those items that form the body of a crime under Article 188 were clearly not evident here.

And now let’s take a look at the case from the other side – from the point of view of an ordinary Russian investigator of the times of comrade Putin. The investigator, just like any citizen of the RF, lives in conditions of a permanent state hatred towards the USA. That means, he thinks, they’re not likely going to chew him out for charging a citizen of the USA. Besides, contraband – that’s already a serious crime, and to have an exposed crime under such an Article on your resume – that’s a clear path to praise from the bosses or even a promotion. All the more so given that the mere fact of a conviction of a person under this Article will embellish the statistical reporting of the investigative department.

And one can imagine the situation in which this man of the cloth will find himself. All his life he has been a pastor. And a hunter. It’s his 12th time coming to Russia. Of course he did a stupid thing in never having bothered to learn Russian laws – even if they seem a bit strange – in all these years. But the drama of the situation isn’t in the fact that a person in his seventh decade is going to experience all the charms of a Russian investigative isolator, but in the fact that he could very likely get to learn all the wonders of the Russian GULag as well. Our Russian “most humane court in the world” could simply throw the pastor three, and even five, years in a colony.

Ryakhovskiy recalls.

“In the time when I worked as a judge, it would happen that they would release people right in the courtroom. Although on the whole, cases were well prepared, with a strong evidentiary foundation. And from recent lawyer’s practice I recall the following case. They had set a girl up with narcotics – an acquaintance, without giving her warning, asked her to pass a package on to another person. The moment she took it, out of nowhere there appeared people in civilian attire [“people in civilian attire” is Russian for “undercover officers” or, more often, KGB/FSB—Trans.] and arrested her.

“In court everything was understandable to everybody that the girl had been sucked into this affair without criminal intent on her part. This was clear even to the judge. But the girl didn’t get a suspended term, but a real one – two years of deprivation of liberty. After the verdict I asked the judge how could this be, you all could see for yourselves that she had been set up. The judge replied: such is the judicial practice with respect to these cases.

“And here too it may happen that it is not the spirit of the law that prevails, but that notorious ‘judicial practice’. If the guy’s already sitting [behind bars—Trans.], then you’ve got to give him a real term, too.”

It’s hard not to agree with lawyer Ryakhovskiy. The realities of recent, Putinite times are such that Russian courts have become not simply tough, but downright cruel. Thousands of innocent people are sitting in Russian jails. National-bolsheviks, opposition journalists, faux spies… But here, we’ve even got a formal element of a crime, and a person who is “not ours”… [ne nash: this is the same word as Nashi – “ours”, meaning “the good guys” as opposed to “the other guys”, by default “bad guys”—Trans.]

Not that long ago Putin’s successor Medvedev spoke about judicial reform. Before him, others said a hundred times that it is already complete and had been carried out successfully. So now it turns out that it was not carried out and not successfully? For now it can be seen that the entire reform consisted of now even a petty little judge gets three thousand dollars [a month] in salary. But all the rest –observing the rule of law, the [level-playing-field] adversarial nature of the trial process, the independence of the judiciary, and all that? This all has remained as before – Soviet.

I’m afraid the pastor didn’t know this before. Or else he would have thought a hundred times before buying those bullets in his American store.

P.S. Naturally, we will keep blog readers updated on the results of the court examination of this case.
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This is another item of information that seems to correlate with the rest of what I am posting.
I will keep you all posted as I find new items!
Kyle
http://www.newgeneration.lv/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&p=78900
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/pastor-phillip-miles.html
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-important-update-on-american.html
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-update-on-pastor-phillip-miles.htm l

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Russia: Village Bell Tower!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Wednesday, February 27, 2008 :

Hello,

One of my favorite subjects is the Bell Tower that stands in the Village called Sunrise to Freedom!
There use to be a clock in the top of the tower, (we were told by locals). I would like to know who is the Saint in the painting in the clock face? These paintings were on all four sides and I have pictures of them to preserve the past.

Kyle

comments always welcome.

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Russia: Beautiful Village!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Wednesday, February 27, 2008 :

Hello,

I am sitting here drinking my morning cup of coffee & thinking about the Village! I think that it is time to make a trip to the Village (Sunrise To Freedom)
http://kylekeeton.com/2007/05/sunrise-to-freedom-russian-village.html
http://kylekeeton.com/2007/10/russia-sunrise-to-freedom.html

We are nearing March and Spring is on its way. Grass will grow, Flowers will bloom, Birds will sing & Mosquitoes will come out to play! :)

Speaking of Playing... Maybe my Sweetie wants to go to the Village soon?

Kyle

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Russia: Once Again American Media & Anti Russian Propaganda!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Wednesday, February 27, 2008 :

Yuri Mamchur:
Last weekend, The New York Times published another piece of amazing anti-Russian propaganda. “…the city’s children, too, were pressed into service. At schools, teachers gave them pamphlets promoting “Putin’s Plan”…” Those who have been to Russia in the last decade drop the newspaper either with laughter or with anger.

Pastor Phillip Miles!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Wednesday, February 27, 2008 :

Hello,

More information about Phillip Miles. (This information seems to be accurate and most likely real)
The statements can be observed in the forum of AR15.COM.
In these statements is mention of Vladimir, a Russian interpreter from my last article!
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-important-update-on-american.html
The forum is part of a Militia organization based in America! Called the Bushmasters!

These Are Links That Have been Altered By The Site Owners Of Ar15.com. Sad to say they hurt Miles more than helped by not allowing access. Look the site over.....
http://www.ar15.com/
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=670435&page=1

These statements are from Pastor Phillip Miles Cousin!

His avatar for the forum is this picture and only two statements are included from other individuals, One statement is from a American Diplomat.

2-04-2008
I need my brothers from ARfcom's help..we got pictures of the jail, I am hoping to show them, to ya'll soon. The Jail looks like a rat hole from h**l, it is simply horrible! I am asking all my fellow brother's in arms to e-mail or call your congressman or Senator. Please??? I don't have a list of all the Reps. I am losing sleep and losing my mind over this ordeal. They are telling us they will keep him for 2 months in that c**phole!

Please don't preach to me how he shouldn't have done this or that..I want my cousin back, that is the only thing that matters right now If you could just send the Moscow Times link and have your Representative at least get back to you on the status, I would be eternally grateful. Please, please e-mail your Rep with the information up top.

Thank you in advance..you don't know what it means to me to have people outside of famly and friends that care.

Today, Aivars Mecs, a member of Evangel Cathedral spoke with the Russian attorney who only speaks Russian. Roman Maranov, the Russian attorney, said to encourage everyone to write letters on Phillip's behalf.

So here is where we are:

1. Continue to write or call President Bush. We need his help.
2. Obtain testimonies about Phillip's integrity and character from elected officials, community leaders, pastors and businessmen. These letters must be notarized. They may be sent to Phillip's US Attorney, Dominic Starr, who will forward them to the Russian attorney.
3. Everyone who knows Phillip can write a letter vouching for his character and send it to Dominic Starr.
4. If you support Phillip as an American or a gun enthusiast please write or call in support.

Dominic Starr's address is 3751 Grissom Parkway Beach First Center, Third Floor, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. His fax is 843-448-3437.

Phone: (843) 946-5670

Through our interpretor in Russia, we have found out there might be a possibility he is coming home soon. Why? My Uncle was planning on going in to see him, so was I, my cousin sent word that he did'nt think it would be necessary because he thinks he may getting released soon. How does he know, we do not know that, maybe they have been conveying to him that he will be released..dunno, but this is good news at any rate.

God is faithful and I think resolution is the way.
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2-04-2008
Which has been the case for getting watches, war paraphernalia, other items years ago. From what we understand, you get hunting permits and licenses like here..I am not sure about getting ammo or what calibers would be banned. You can buy 7.62 over there and bribe it out of the country..I have never done it. My cousin was trying fulfill a request from the Russian Pastor..everything was legal on this side of the Atlantic but not over there. I think it may be a "we are Russians" moment for the police. I know this can be sorted out..my cousin is an avid hunter and has been most of his life.
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2-04-2008
Wrong. This is probably his 20th trip in the last 10 years. Speaking Russian does not speak louder than a $20 bill.

You have no idea what you are talking about..not to belittle you trying to analyze the problems..we just don't what it was that specifically put him in jail. I have personally brought out axes and foot long knives from the CIS..no kidding.
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2-04-2008
Just got a call from my Uncle and he said he has been arrested for unknowingly taking contraband into the country, my cousin had checked the laws beforehand. A decision will be made by noon tomorrow whether he will be released or if he will have to stay and stand trial. They were wanting to know if he actually was a hunter?? So they had to send pictures of him with dead deer and ducks...weird.
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2-05-2008
My Uncle says they have NOT put him into a prison, he is being held at the Moscow airport..U.S. embassy officials have already been to visit him, there is also a lot of the Moscovites (Pastors, workers, etc) who know my cousin, literally flood the airport. It seems there is one airport head of security that is not bending to pressure. NO laws were apparently broken even as written or interrupted by the Russian Govt. according to our embassy officials. Good news is they have not moved him from a holding cell in the airport..I will keep praying, hoping this will end soon.
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2-05-2008 (names removed by Forum admins)
#3.)The U.S. State Department is in touch with *******. They gave her the following information:

1. As previously informed ***** is not arrested but is being detained at the Moscow Airport. He will be there three more days when a formal hearing is scheduled. He is held in a room with a bench.

2. He is getting plenty of water and food.

3. Vladimir, a Russian interpreter and Pastor ********* American Pastor, are staying nearby. Pastor ***** in Perm has hired a Russian lawyer on ***** behalf.

4. The State Department has requested that no one call the American Embassy in Moscow. The embassy has been inundated with phone calls and is doing everything in their power to help in the situation.
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2-06-2008
Update #4, he is going to trial tomorrow for the ammo...prayers needed.
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2-06-2008
Yes..the judge is a 30 year old woman who is loves America, has gone to school here etc.... since this is now becoming a bigger story than they'd probably like to see, I think he's gonna be ok.
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2-08-2008
It's not good news, they are keeping him after his hearing today in Moscow...details are sketchy but this sucks for me. I am really worried. If anyone knows anyone "Up top" please advise me or lead me to someone I can talk to or do something.

I am really worried. like I said..I feel powerless and angry right now. Any suggestions? ARfcom firemission? Call congressmen? Any ideas would help me.
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2-08-2008
Anyone have any positive suggestions for the last update? The rest of the quartebacks can hold their thoughts to themselves on this thread. This is a serious family problem for me..I don't need negative b.s. flying right now. We need to solutions.
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2-08-2008
Which is exactly what I am planning on doing if all else fails. I have called my local congressman and informed his office of the situation. I have also called a few friends in my area who would go with me, I am not sure what to do next..as you can see ourentire family is involved now, we are stressed about this whole deal. My cousin's son and others are writing letters and calling congressmen.

I will know more the first of the week..I am planning to get over there if there's anything I can do.
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2-12-2008
Yep...they are going to keep him in until, which is driving everyone over here mad. I know how the jails are over there. My cousin is in great spirits and he feels as though God is in control and he is not worried. He is ok right now...but our family, his wife and kids are stressed beyond measure.

We have contacted various legal and govt. officials looking for help. Jay Sekulow has a law firm in Moscow so they are moving onto the scene. Our State dept. is pretty much puppy dog mentality when it comes to international problems.

5 rounds of ammo for a Russian Pastor friend to go bear hunting...almost sounds like the BATF over here.

I have also e-mailed various news outlets with the story...not much else we can do except pray and wait.
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2-12-2008
I need my brothers from ARfcom's help..we got pictures of the jail, I am hoping to show them, to ya'll soon. The Jail looks like a rat hole from h*ll, it is simply horrible! I am asking all my fellow brother's in arms to e-mail or call your congressman or Senator. Please??? I don't have a list of all the Reps. I am losing sleep and losing my mind over this ordeal. They are telling us they will keep him for 2 months it that c**phole!

Please don't preach to me how he should'nt have done this or that..I want my cousin back, that is the only thing that matters right now If you could just send the Moscow Times link and have your Representative at least get back to you on the status, I would be eternally grateful. Please, please e-mail your Rep with the infromation up top.

Thank you in advance..you don't know what it means to me to have people outside of famly and friends that care.
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2-12-2008
I am trying to do as much as I can..I hope everyone on board can maybe contact their local and state reps about the situation.
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2-13-2008
God is where he has always been, right there with my cousin. He is still his saviour if he were to die for some terrible reason. Just because we are christians does not mean we are immune to problems in life...nope, but we do have a hope in someone higher than ourselves.

I was afraid this would turn into a religious debate..please, let it go for now. This is about my family stuck in a Russian prison, I want to do everything I possibly can to get him out..that is my personal hope now, to get him out. If you have something positive to do or say, now is that time for a fellow brother in arms..that is all I ask.

Thanks.
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2-13-2008
We received an email from Pastor Igor Nikkitim, who is the President of the Association of Christian Churches in Russia. He writes that our churches need to form committee’s to bombard U.S. Senators and Congressmen to use their influence to get Phillip released BECAUSE THE SITUATION HAS POTENTIAL to be VERY SERIOUS. He writes “We are praying for favor.”
He further writes that he has talked to the Russian lawyer of Phillip Miles in Moscow. He states that we need to do several things immediately. We need to encourage as many people as possible to

1.Make calls to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow

2.Write letters from different people to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

Pastor Nikkitim says it is very important that we do this in the next two days.

Please help us. We appreciate the help of anyone in contacting the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. The name of the Ambassador in Moscow is The Honorable William Joseph Burns. Contact information:

U.S. Embassy in Moscow

Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8

Moscow 121099, Russian Federation

PCS-77, APO AE 09721

Telephone: 011-7 (495) 728-5000

Fax: 011-7 (495) 728-5090

(Moscow is 8 hours ahead of Washington.)
=================================================
2-13-2008
Email address: comments@whitehouse.gov Fax number 202-456-2461

Below is a sample wording of the message to be sent to President Bush, however, each sender can use his/her own words in making the appeal.

President Bush,

Please help us get Phillip Miles, pastor in Conway, SC, out of detention in Moscow. Phillip is an avid deer hunter and decided to take his pastor friend in Perm, who is a hunting enthusiast, a gift he would appreciate, which was a box of rifle rounds.

Phillip has been held in detention for 10 days now and the state has up to 60 additional days to further investigate. This was an honest mistake on the part of Phillip Miles. Phillip is known everywhere for his integrity.

For the past 15 years he has been making mission trips to Russia. Evangel Fellowship International, of which Phillip is a member, has sent millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to hospitals in Omsk, Vorkuta, and Irkutsk.

Thank you for your assistance in helping a fellow American.

Sign your name

(Or something like this)

President Bush,

Please talk to Preident Putin and help get Phillip Miles, a pastor from South Carolina, out of detention in Moscow. Phillip is a deer hunter and is being held for packing a box of bullets in his checked bag for a pastor in Perm, Russia, who is also a hunter. If convicted, Phillip faces a possible fine or prison sentence.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Sign your name

If one of these e-mails gets through, we know that it would help...if a hundred e-mails get through it help even further.

Thank you for helping me...copy and paste if you would like..it won't take 5 minutes and it will make a difference.
=================================================
2-13-2008
Thank you for your help..it seems we are making a difference, they are recieving quite a bit of e-mails and phone calls. Lets keep up the progress, it is helping, no kidding.

Mr. Rosenman said that these testimonials can be sent to him and that he will personally take them to Phillip’s attorney. His address is:

U.S. Embassy in Moscow

Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8.

Moscow 121099, Russian Federation – PSC-77, APO AE 09721

FAX: 0117495-7285090

EMAIL: rosenmanrg@state.gov

If you can use google translation, word your e-mails and have them translated in Russian the attorneys and workers can then read them openly. We need people to just e-mail and ask for his release...they know this is a frivolous charge when compared to other illegal activities in their society...this is the most corrupt govt. in the world.
=================================================
2-14-2008
Today, Aivars Mecs, a member of Evangel Cathedral spoke with the Russian attorney who only speaks Russian. Roman Maranov, the Russian attorney, said to encourage everyone to write letters on Phillip's behalf.

So here is where we are:

1. Continue to write or call President Bush. We need his help.
2. Obtain testimonies about Phillip's integrity and character from elected officials, community leaders, pastors and businessmen. These letters must be notarized. They may be sent to Phillip's US Attorney, Dominic Starr, who will forward them to the Russian attorney.
3. Everyone who knows Phillip can write a letter vouching for his character and send it to Dominic Starr.
4. If you support Phillip as an American or a gun enthusiast please write or call in support.

Dominic Starr's address is 3751 Grissom Parkway Beach First Center, Third Floor, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. His fax is 843-448-3437.

Phone: (843) 946-5670

Dominic Starr
=================================================
2-15-2008 (American Diplomat, Black Passport) Why wouldn't you check the laws about bringing in guns, knives, ammo, etc before you traveled overseas? I travel to Russia ALOT (like 2x month) on a black passport and I would never try to bring ammo into the country. Russians are pretty anal about searching everything coming in and going out of the country. Although I will say I've never had my bags searched when landing at SVO. When you fly back to the US they run everything threw security before you get inside the terminal, then hand search everything before it gets loaded on the plane. Not sure if they had a bomb dog sniffing luggage and thats how he got caught. In any event it does suck and I don't wish for anyone being in a Russian jail but he's a big boy and should have known the rules. Their playground, their rules. Not sure how much DoS is going to be able to help as he was legally arrested under Russian law.
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2-15-2008
So you go there every other weekend? And you are an American diplomat too? Is there anyway you can go visit my cousin in jail in the next couple of weeks?
=================================================
2-16-2008
Yes, there was a large sum of money to pay fines that was wired to Moscow...they did'nt go for it, seems like they are bent on showing they are a superpower. They ignore calls and have made people wait in an office for 8 to 10 hours just to get information. Russia is a third world nation, not a superpower...they show it each minute that passes.
=================================================
2-16-2008
10 grand and a promise for more if needed.
=================================================
2-17-2008 (Another Forum Member) Thanks Mr. Legal Beagle. We wouldn't want anyone disobeying the law. Do you even see how ridiculous it is to throw the book at someone for the mere possession of a single box of cartridges? We get it. He broke the law. It just makes me sick that you believe the government is actually justified in throwing him in jail over this. If you think there is anything right about this situation, God help you. Same laws apply comming into the USA… after all, you wouldn't want the .Gov throwing the book at a terrorist for importing a box of catridges… Firearms The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulates and restricts firearms and ammunition; and approves all import transactions involving weapons and ammunition. If you want to import or export weapons or ammunition, you must do so through a licensed importer, dealer, or manufacturer. Also, if the National Firearms Act prohibits certain weapons, ammunition, or similar devices from coming into the country, you will not be able to import them unless the ATF provides you with written authorization to do so. You do not need an ATF permit if you can demonstrate that you are returning with the same firearms or ammunition that you took out of the United States. To prevent problems when returning, you should register your firearms and related equipment by taking them to any CBP office before you leave the United States. The CBP officer will register them on the same CBP Form-4457 used to register cameras or computers. (See the section on Register Items Before You Leave the United States). For further information about importing weapons, contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20226; or call (202) 927-8320; or visit www.atf.gov ( Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ) . Many countries will not allow you to enter with a firearm even if you are only traveling through the country on the way to your final destination. If you plan to take your firearms or ammunition to another country, you should contact officials at that country’s embassy to learn about its regulations. www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml#Firearms Up to 10 years in Club Fed and a $1 million fine for breaking US rules.
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2-17-2008
Wow..awesome after 10 pages and someone cites laws that were broken. Now, do you have any suggestions on how to get him out of jail? You think you might help with a solution?

Thanks again.
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2-17-2008
Wrong..unless you know something that I have'nt been told. They are very concerned and are working on a solution to the problem. None of which is looking backwards but forwards to a solution. They have been in constant contact with our family and updated us daily on any progress being made. They have recommended that we contact our congressman and other foreign relation committee members to our problem.

Man, I am so glad you are'nt a govt. official or even in our military. Are you from France by any chance? Don't mean to offend you, but I would'nt let you guard my garbage can with your attitude. You remind me of that Major in the movie Heartbreak Ridge. Knows all the rules but when the shtf, have no clue on what to do.
=================================================
2-19-2008
Well, the jailers and guards are treating my cousin very well, his interruptor was dismissed for whatever reasons. We have some friends from Moscow who are interruptoring for him now. He is doing ok, just ready to go home. I have contacted just about foreign org or .gov office that I could..we have lot of people praying, writing and calling, keep up the e-mails, it may be the one that sends the message to get something done.

Thank you again for all the support, you have no idea how much this means to me.
=================================================
2-20-2008
Does the NRA deal with any international situations like this? I am curious. I just sent them an e-mail...do any of you members know if they deal with these kind of situations?
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2-24-2008
Through our interpretor in Russia, we have found out there might be a possiblity he is coming home soon. Why? My Uncle was planning on going in to see him, so was I, my cousin sent word that he did'nt think it would be necessary because he thinks he may getting released soon. How does he know, we do not know that, maybe they have been conveying to him that he will be released..dunno, but this is good news at any rate.

God is faithful and I think resolution is the way.
=================================================

This is all We have as of now, As We get more information we will print it as we find it,
I hope this man is correct and Phillip Miles will be going home soon!

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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Russia: Falsely Accused Russian Teacher, Fights Back!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 26, 2008 :

Hello,

I want to talk about a man in Russia who was accused, tried, convicted of a crime & he was not the true criminal!

This is a story about a man who tries to supply computers for his kids at a Village school that he teaches at......

A Russian Village schoolteacher (Alexander Ponosov) who lost a battle of accusation about Piracy last year, became a popular cult hero after the trial! He was accused and convicted of using pirated Microsoft programs. Alexander Ponosov has now launched a campaign against what he calls the software giant's global domination.

Alexander Ponosov announced Tuesday, that he was founding a lobby group "Russian Center for Free Technologies" whose aim would be to reduce the country's dependence on software produced by companies like Microsoft and instead promote open-source software like Linux!

The Junior school teacher, who lives in a remote village in the Perm region in the Ural mountains, said, "The domination of big software companies was a threat to national security." He also stated,"Our dependence on Western proprietary software is a risk for us. We are, in effect, losing the independence of this country," Ponosov told a news conference. Then he said, "To quote Alexander III, Russia has only two allies, its army and its navy."

Alexander Ponosov was fined 5,000 rubles -- about $200, or half his monthly wage -- last year when a local court found him guilty of installing unlicensed Microsoft Windows and Office software on computers used by students at his school. The local courts were being manipulated by hungry prosecutors to prove that Russia is serious about catching Pirates of software!

Alexander Ponosov says the software was installed on the computers when they were purchased by the school & delivered by a subcontractor. He did not know that the licenses were faked.

Alexander Ponosov says his organization, called the "Russian Center for Free Technologies", would lobby the parliament to adopt legislation encouraging the use of open-source software.

I think that this a good thing & I hope that he can succeed in his endeavors.

Kyle

comments always welcome.
http://kylekeeton.com/2007/12/russia-open-source-software.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/30/world/main2414695.sht ml

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Russia: Volga Automobile, Part 2 Technical!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 26, 2008 :

Hello,

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee & remembered that I said I would be writing Part 2 of 3 parts about the Volga Automobile!

Part 1 was about the history of the Volga! Today Part 2 is about the technical side of the Volga.
===================================

1946 GAZ-M20

--------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer: GAZ
Also called Pobeda
Production: 1946-1958
Assembly: Gorky, Soviet Union
Successor GAZ-21 (Volga)
Class Large family car
Body style(s): 4-door sedan
4-door cabriolet
Layout: FR layout

Engine:
-------------------------------------------------
Straight-4 sidevalve 2120 cc 50 hp (37 kW)

Chassis:
-------------------------------------------------
Wheelbase: 2,700 mm (106.3 in)[1]
Length: 4,665 mm (183.7 in)[1]
Width: 1,695 mm (66.7 in)[1]
Height: 1,590 mm (62.6 in)[1]
Curb weight: 1350 kg (2976 lb)[1]

Extra:
-------------------------------------------------
Fuel capacity: 55 L (15 US gal/12 imp gal)[1]
Related: FSO Warszawa
GAZ-M72 (4WD, model with Pobeda body)
===================================

1960 GAZ Volga M-21
--------------------------------------------------
Type: 4/5S SAL
Number of doors: 4

*Dimensions:
--------------------------------------------------
Wheelbase: 2700 mm 106.29 in
Track front: 1410 mm 55.51 in
Track rear: 1422 mm 55.98 in
Length: 4826 mm 190.00 in
Width: 1803 mm 70.98 in
Ground clearance: 191 mm 7.51 in
curb weight: 1422 kg 3134.96 lb

*Engine:
--------------------------------------------------
Type: 4-S
OHV
2 valves per cylinder
Main bearings: 5
Bore x stroke: 92.00 mm. × 92.00 mm.
Bore / stroke ratio: 1
Displacement: 2445 cc 149.20 cu in
Compression: 7.5
Aspiration: Normal
Catalytic Converter: N
Max. output: 81.1 PS (80 bph) (59.6 kW) @ 4000 rpm
Max. torque: 176 Nm (129.8 lbft) (17.9 kgm) @ rpm
Coolant: Water
Specific torque: N/A

*Chassis:
------------------------------------------------
Engine location: Front
Engine alignment: Longitudinal
Steering: worm & roller
Turning circle: 12.5
Suspension front: I.CS.W.
Suspension rear: LA.SE.
Brakes: Dr/Dr
Transmission: 3A
Drive: R
Top gear ratio: 1
Final drive ratio: 3.78
==================================

1970 GAZ Volga 24

-------------------------------------------------
Type: 4/5S SAL
Number of doors: 4

*Dimensions:
-------------------------------------------------
Wheelbase: 2800 mm 110.23 in
Track front: 1470 mm 57.87 in
Track rear: 1420 mm 55.90 in
Length: 4735 mm 186.41 in
Width: 1800 mm 70.86 in
Ground clearance: 180 mm 7.08 in
curb weight: 1300 kg 2866.00 lb
Fuel capacity: 55 l 14.52 US gal

*Engine:
---------------------------------------------------
Type: 4-S
OHV
2 valves per cylinder
Main bearings: 5
Bore x stroke: 92.00 mm. × 92.00 mm.
Bore / stroke ratio: 1
Displacement: 2445 cc 149.20 cu in
Compression: 8.2
Fuel system: 1 K-126 G carb
Aspiration: Normal
Catalytic Converter: N
Max. output: 111.5 PS (110 bph) (82 kW) @ 4500 rpm
Max. torque: 187 Nm (137.9 lbft) (19 kgm) @ 2400 rpm
Coolant: Water
Specific torque: N/A

*Performance:
-------------------------------------------------
Top speed: 145km

*Chassis:
-------------------------------------------------
Engine location: Front
Engine alignment: Longitudinal
Steering: worm & roller
Turns lock-to-lock: 3.5
Turning circle: 12.4
Suspension front: I.W.CS.ARB.
Suspension rear: LA.SE.
Brakes: Dr/Dr-S
Braked area: 1130
Transmission: 4M
Drive: R
Top gear ratio: 1
Final drive ratio: 4.1
==================================

GAZ Volga 3110:

-------------------------------------------------
*Engine:
-------------------------------------------------
Code: ZMZ-4062.10
Type: 4-S
Wet sumped
DOHC
4 valves per cylinder
Bore x stroke: 92.00 mm. × 86.00 mm.
Bore / stroke ratio: 1.06
Displacement: 2287 cc 139.56 cu in
Compression: 9.3
Aspiration: Normal
Max. output: 130.7 PS (129 bph) (96.1 kW) @ 5200 rpm
Max. torque: 188 Nm (138.6 lbft) (19.1 kgm) @ 4000 rpm
Coolant: Water
Specific torque: N/A

*Performance:
-------------------------------------------------
0-100km/h: 14.5 s
Top speed: 160
Fuel consumption: 10.0/12.5/14.5 l/100km 90km/h /

*Chassis:
------------------------------------------------
Engine location: Front
Engine alignment: Longitudinal
Suspension front: I.CS.ARB.
Suspension rear: LA.LS.
Wheels F/R: 7J x 15 / 7J x 15
Tires front: 195/65 R 15
Tires rear: 195/65 R 15
Brakes: VeDi/Dr-S
Transmission: 5M
Drive: R
===================================

1999 GAZ Volga 3111

--------------------------------------------------
*Body:
--------------------------------------------------
Type: 4/5S SAL
Number of doors: 4

*Dimensions:
--------------------------------------------------
Wheelbase: 2820 mm 111.02 in
Track front: 1540 mm 60.62 in
Track rear: 1526 mm 60.07 in
Length: 4897 mm 192.79 in
Width: 1840 mm 72.44 in
Ground clearance: 160 mm 6.29 in
curb weight: 1550 kg 3417.16 lb
Fuel capacity: 70 l 18.49 US gal

*Engine:
------------------------------------------------
Type: 4-S
DOHC
4 valves per cylinder
Bore x stroke: 92.00 mm. × 86.00 mm.
Bore / stroke ratio: 1.06
Displacement: 2287 cc 139.56 cu in
Compression: 9.3
Aspiration: Normal
Catalytic Converter: Y
Max. output: 147 PS (145 bph) (108.1 kW) @ 5200 rpm
Max. torque: 201 Nm (148.2 lbft) (20.4 kgm) @ 4000 rpm
Coolant: Water
Specific torque: N/A

*Performance:
-------------------------------------------------
0-100km/h: 13.5 s
Top speed: 175km

*Chassis:
-------------------------------------------------
Engine location: Front
Steering: rack & pinion
Suspension front: I.CS.ARB.
Suspension rear: LA.LS.ARB.
Wheels F/R: 6.5J x 15 / 6.5J x 15
Tires front: 205/65 R15
Tires rear: 205/65 R 15
Brakes: VeDi/Dr-S-ABS
Transmission: 5M
Drive: R
==================================
**THE CAR:**
http://www.volga.nl/autoEN.htm
http://www.gaz-motors.com/gaz31105.aspx

The Volga got the difficult task to be highly modern in a decade that the Russian infrastructure was still far behind. Only in the main cities and their surroundings could you find highways and pavement of good quality. On the countryside the roads were made of mud, gravel and or just sand. The Volga had deliver high speeds on the highways and the Volga had to be able to transverse small muddy country roads. On top of this contradiction, the Volga had to be simple to work on, because in the Soviet Union at that time there were almost no service stations. The owner had to be able to do all the maintenance himself.

Good Car!
Part 3, The beauty!

Kyle & Svet
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-volga-automobile-part-3-classic.html

comments always welcome.

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Russian News: February 26th, 2008!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 26, 2008 :

RBC, 26.02.2008, Moscow 12:59:30.Russia's oil export duty is

expected to be raised to $337.4-$339.6 per tonne on April 1, 2008, if the average price of Urals oil in February amounts to $90-$95 per barrel, head of the customs payments department of the Finance Ministry Alexander Sakovich told RBC today. The export duty is expected to be set at $240-$241 per tonne of light oil products and $129-$130 per tonne of heavy oil products.

RBC, 26.02.2008, Moscow 12:48:22.Nearly three hours into today's special dollar trading session for tomorrow deals, the low on deals stood at 24.39 RUB/USD, which is RUB 0.07, or .3 percent, lower than the official rate set by the Bank of Russia for February 27. As a result of the dollar's consistent decline against the ruble, the spread on dollar deals widened to RUB 0.08. The current developments on the domestic market can be traced to the dollar's unremitting recession against the euro on international exchanges. The latter is now trading at nearly USD 1.4855, up from around USD 1.4840 as of 12:30 p.m. Consequently, the European currency added about 0.1 percent against the dollar on the global market over a short period.

RBC, 26.02.2008, Moscow 11:32:06.The preparations for Russia's presidential election are in line with the schedule, Chairman of the country's Central Election Commission (CEC) Vladimir Churov told journalists today. The official noted that he was to hold talks today with Bolat Nurgaliyev, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the leader of its observation mission, over the preparation for the elections and the process of interaction between the CEC and the SCO.

RBC, 26.02.2008, Moscow 11:03:36.The Russian stock market opened upwards today. On MICEX, most highly liquid securities edged up 1 percent on average, while LUKoil and Surgutneftegas each climbed 1.5 percent. On the RTS, Gazprom added 0.85 percent and Sberbank went up 1.6 percent. The RTS index reached 2,080.9 points within minutes from the opening.

RBC, 26.02.2008, Moscow 10:50:10.International observers are expected to monitor Russia's presidential elections in almost all of the country's regions, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Vladimir Churov told journalists today. For instance, observers from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly are planning to cover more than 20 of Russia's constituent entities, its most densely populated part, the leader of the organization's observation mission Ural Mukhamedzhanov noted. He pointed out that, following the election, the mission was to present a comprehensive and objective analysis of the compliance of Russia's election process with international standards.

RBC, 26.02.2008, Moscow 10:30:27.At the opening of today's special dollar trading session for tomorrow deals, the weighted average exchange rate stood at 24.45 RUB/USD, RUB 0.02 below the official rate set by the Bank of Russia for February 26. The dollar has extended losses against the ruble into a third day in a row, having dropped a total of RUB 0.08 over the previous two trading sessions.

RBC, 26.02.2008, Moscow 09:28:07.A ban on any publication of survey results and projections for the 2008 presidential election has come into force today. Between 00:00 local time on February 26 and 9 p.m. on the day of the vote, when all the polling stations close nationwide, any publication of opinion polls and forecasts related to the upcoming March 2 presidential vote is prohibited. The ban applies to the placement of any such data on information and telecommunication networks, including the Internet. The reason for the prohibition is the need to exclude any influence on the citizens' free will.

RBC, 26.02.2008, Moscow 09:28:07, Russia’s GDP grew 7.4 percent in January 2008 compared with January 2007, Deputy Economy Minister Andrei Belousov said, noting that “this is a good result.”

RBC, 26.02.2008, Moscow 09:28:07, 194 international observers have been accredited for the March 2 presidential election in Russia, Nikolai Zhukov, Chairman of the External Relations Department at the Central Election Commission of Russia, said at the commission’s meeting today. Another 21 applications for accreditation were being considered by the commission, Zhukov said, noting that the accreditation process was going on, and the number of the accredited observers would be changing. In total, about 300 foreign observers are expected to monitor the presidential vote in Russia.

RBC, 26.02.2008, Moscow 09:28:07, Albanian drug dealers are buying Kosovo’s independence with drug money, Dmitry Rogozin, Russia’s ambassador to NATO, said in a live TV link-up between Moscow and Brussels on Friday. “It seems that drug dealers in Kosovo are lobbying for the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. If this information is confirmed, we could see political scandals over the bribery of some politicians with drug money,” Rogozin said.

RBC, 26.02.2008, Moscow 09:28:07, Ukraine and Russia are considering a gas contract for 25-30 years, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko said commenting on gas talks in Moscow on February 20 and 21.

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Russia: Important Update on, American Pastor Philip Miles in Moscow, Russia!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Monday, February 25, 2008 :

Hello,

New Link For Even More Information:

http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/pastor-phillip-miles.html

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee & asked my wife who is Russian, to do a hard search in the Russian web! We are finding out a lot more information on The Pastor Phillip Miles!

Some facts that the American & Russian press is not saying or is very unclear about!

1. Miles has traveled to Russia for over 25 years! (Soviet Era, Yes!)
2. Miles was not detained by International Border Patrol!
3. Miles was detained by Local Militsiya for Ammunition found during baggage search while switching flights to a Domestic airline to Perm!
4. The International Border did not catch the Undeclared Ammunition!
5. Miles is being held on investigation of A. article 222 UK (storage, transport, carrying ammunition) B. article UK 188 (smuggling)
6. The FAA and Delta have no jurisdiction over giving the OK to transport Ammunition in Russia!
7. There is more to this incident than has been released, Local Russian Press has kept very quiet about Pastor Phillip Miles!
8. The USA media is being very selective about what they put in the Media!
=================================
Subject: American pastor Philip Miles in Moscow! (Access removed??????)
Update: 3-2-2008
(I want to thank everyone who visited this link: New Generation Global Discussions Forum. The site has removed access to this one article. This article had proven to be true by confirmation from other articles that I have posted. The article in complete is below!)

All greetings!
I want to tell all about what happened with the American pastor in Moscow, he is 57 years old. There is a need to pray about it, about his family, as well as for the early settlement of this situation without serious consequences for him. Pastor Philip Miles, the son of Bishop Hyustona Miles, together with other members of his church and another church the morning of 29 - January flew to Moscow in Sheremetyevo airport. The same evening, before departing in Perm when inspecting his luggage at the airport Sheremetyevo at It was found the stack of cartridges (20 pieces) for a hunting rifle. Philip enjoys hunting, he drove to visit his friend, pastor of the church in Perm, which is also a hunter and is licensed and hunting and weapons. Philip decided to make a surprise, lead pastor of Perm gift, a pack of good rounds for the new guns, which recently bought a pastor from Perm. In the United States, these cartridges are sold to anyone who is older than 18 years, without any permission or license. Before departing aircraft Philippe asked Representative Delta "if he could keep cartridges, he was told that he could.

Night 29 - January with a stack of cartridges seized, and Philip was asked by the police to arrive at Sheremetyevo in the morning, 4 - February, before his departure to the United States. Later examination was carried out which confirmed that the cartridges specifically for a particular hunting rifles, shotguns is that there is a pastor from Perm.

On Sunday, 3 - February, at 19:30 Phillip Miles and the other two Americans flew in from Perm Sheremetyevo airport. After receiving Philip delayed baggage, it has waited. I sent in a cell at the airport at Sheremetyevo.

4 morning - February from Perm flew lawyer that would help in this situation. At 14:00 was appointed interrogator Philippe brought criminal charges article 222 UK (storage, transport, carrying ammunition). Invited lawyer VV Ryakhovsky from the Slavonic Legal Centre. I was unable to find someone of translators that would translate questioning why drove himself to translate the interrogation. Representatives from the American Embassy also came, what would talk to Philip. Philip brought after 15:00 and about 19:00 questioning ended. Already taken the night from the moment of detention, during which time he ate nothing, once gave him a glass of water. The cell detained at the airport are not fed. The next day,

5 - On February, a court, which had to decide on the election of a preventive measure Philippe suspect. So, the court had to decide to release Philippa (by subscription, on bail), or leave detention for the duration of the investigation. During a court translator, I was again. The prosecutor said the request for deferment decision on the election of a preventive measure for the submission of additional evidence validity of his detention. The court granted the petition claimed. Philip was taken to a cell at the airport Sheremetyevo. In an interview with the judge, she said that in 72 hours she Philip Cup if it is not a criminal case stall visas. 188 UK (Smuggling).

6 - On February on the road to the airport (I was traveling with another American pastor, he wanted to pray with Philip, and as we carried food for Philip) tour manager phoned me. company, which processed the tour. Philippe Maylsu invitation to get Russian visas, and said that they came in the company of Sheremetyevo airport and sought at the design contest. Invitations for Philip Miles. It turned out that I have communicated with the tour. Company with a request to make tour. invitation to Philip and other members of his church. Therefore, tour manager of the company told me that returned to the airport Sheremetyevo, and will be there waiting for me, that would talk with me. Almost one and a half hours with me interviewed Major militia, a senior operupolnomochennaya Criminal Investigation. Nearby sat Chief inquiry, and another officer Philip someone of detectives in plain clothes. The explanation was.

7 - On February Philippe brought to trial, that would inform him that he instituted a criminal case on article UK 188 (smuggling) and take with him testify. On this day, Philip converted another girl from our church, I have not been able to be a translator, as I am interested. Posovetovavshis a lawyer, Philippe refused to testify against themselves, in accordance with our Constitution.

8 - On February a court. The Court's decision - to leave Philippa detention for the duration of the investigation, which can last for 60 days, but may be extended at a later date. On that day or the following day Philip transported to the Detention 5 (PTDC).

13 - On February Philippe brought in to the ATC about the airport investigation, which would be charged on article 222 UK (storage, transport, carrying ammunition). Just came from the American consul of the embassy, which would talk with Philip and sign a power of attorney to relatives in the United States that would be able to sell his house without his participation. The representative of the embassy handed me a list of what you should buy for Philip.

14 - February, I went to PTDC that would convey to the transfer of Philippe: warm clothes, things basic necessities, medicines, toiletries, food. Similarly, at the request of Philip many products I order in the store, which is in remand centres, as many products can not be moved, but must be ordered in the store when PTDC. You can choose from a list of needed goods and products and pay them immediately, but after a few days they will bring Philippe.

15 - February, I again bought products and conveyed to PTDC transfer to Philip, as of the evening of 14 - February, I received a list of products needed. Of course, this product not only for him but also for its neighbours in the chamber (11 baguettes of bread, 2 kg. Cheese sticks with 3 / to the sausage, etc.), they are 6 per. That all foreigners. Over two days, I passed about 20 kg. products a month, you can transfer no more than 30 kg. for each person..............
==========================================

I have a quite few questions myself, but these will come out as I follow and find more information!

These articles are not in Judgment of Pastor Phillip Miles, they are fact finding articles. The Pastor is in a bad situation in Russia, So he needs your prayers!

Kyle & Svet

Past articles:
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-update-on-pastor-phillip-miles.html
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

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Svet Sunday: How They Tried to Con my Uncle!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Sunday, February 24, 2008 :

Hello,

Today I want to tell you a little bit about my Uncle! Really, I could a lot about him: he is a PhD in Geophysics, he use to travel a lot, he read a lot, he wrote several books and he is a very interesting person. Because of him I write you my stories in English now because one day he told me that every person who considers himself as well educated must know at least one foreign language. And since I respected my Uncle a lot I started to study English again... already after University! But that is another story which I might tell you in the future. Today I'll tell another story about my Uncle.

Right now my Uncle is a 75 year old gentleman who has rather big heart problems, he had surgery done and now he gets a heart treatment/therapy. Recently I've visited him at home and he was in good mood and told me this story.....

Once at 4 pm, my Uncle got a call. He was told that they called him from his clinic and that he got a grant for 800,000 rubles [$32,000] from Moscow Government to treat his heart illness in a special medical center. So they said, right now he needs to call to the center and tell them number of his grant (several digits and letters what they told him) and that yes, he wants to take part in this program.

Uncle was very interested in it and called them immediately like he was told. A young lady on the other end of line spent some time looking for information about my Uncle's "grant" and she found it (Surprise, surprise!), she asked my Uncle not to engage his phone line because a doctor from this center will call him soon. In 10 minutes a man called him and told that he is Doctor Blagonravov and he wants to discuss my Uncle's heart problems. Uncle started to tell about his health, but when this "doctor" told that blood pressure 160 is not much, my Uncle got his first warning...

Than the "doctor" changed theme rapidly and told that a man would visit my Uncle tonight and my Uncle would sign papers. All he needs to have is ID documents and 17,000 rubles. My Uncle just asked, "Do I have to give money to a person whom I never seen before?" This "doctor" told that the money must be paid today before 6 pm, and if my Uncle does not want to pay a courier he needs to go some address that was given to him by this Doctor. My uncle looked at the clock and told the Doctor "Ok, I will be on time!" He hung up and call 02 Militsiya.

Militsiya arrived pretty soon they wrote down all this story and thanked my Uncle. My uncle thanked them and asked them not to bother him, because he is an ill person and he needs peace and quiet and he did his civic duty!

Of course, it would be cute if he told these con-artists that they can come and then call militsiya and militsiya could catch them. But it could be too nervous for him...

So I just want to tell everyone & my Uncle, that I am very proud of him and admire him very much!

Best wishes for everyone and please be healthy, to be ill is to expensive in any country ;).

Do you have a con artist story?

Svet

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Russia: 23 of February - Defender of the Fatherland Day!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Saturday, February 23, 2008 :

Hello- today we have traditional Day of Man in Russia. It's official name is Defender of the Fatherland Day. You can read a history of the holiday here.

From my Soviet childhood I remember this day [A Day of Soviet Army and Navy Day]. This day we congratulated our men-teachers and our boys class-mate [because all men suppose to served in the Soviet Army at least for once, and all boys were considered like defenders of Motherland in the future]. That was a Soviet tradition what we still follow now. And even so we don't have Soviet Union and Soviet Army anymore we still have this tradition and honor our men. We appreciate that people who took away another Soviet holidays, allow us to have this one. They renamed this holiday to Defender of the Fatherland Day and I think that is a very good name! Yesterday we had a small office party for our men at work. Year by year we make a little concert to honor and congratulate our colleagues-men. That is not very easy to make something special for each of them because they are 90% of our IT Department, but our colleagues-men always appreciate all what we do for them at 23 of February. How we know it? Because they congratulate us very warm and nice at the 8 of March (INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY) :).

Now you can watch a part of this small concert. Don't judge us too strict we all are just programmers and system administrators in our bank, just wanted to please our colleague and inspire you to make a home performance sometimes to please your family :).

Best wishes for all! I wish be strong, wise and healthy to all men who read our blog. Because every man is defender he was created to be ;). And for me 23 of February is a Day of Real Men! It does not matter in what country they live, all of them have a nature to be defenders of their families. And when their countries are in danger they would go and defend their countries and their family what lives there. So I wish you all Peace and I wish wisdom for Rulers of our countries to keep this world in Peace.

Svet

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Russian News: February 22nd, 2008!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Friday, February 22, 2008 :

RBC, 22.02.2008, Moscow

10:52:35.Less than an hour into today's special dollar trading session for tomorrow deals, the weighted average exchange rate stood at 24.46 RUB/USD, which is RUB 0.07 lower than the official rate set by the Bank of Russia for February 22. The ruble's appreciation against the dollar can be attributed to the US currency's unremitting recession against the euro on international exchanges. The latter is now trading at USD 1.4815, up from USD 1.4810 at the opening of the session. Consequently, the euro has added 0.03 percent against the dollar on the global market over a short period.

RBC, 22.02.2008, Moscow 10:46:20.Interros, a holding owned by Russian businessman Vladimir Potanin, intends to participate in tenders for the construction of a number of Olympic Games facilities in the Imereti Valley near Sochi. According to the federal target program for Sochi's development prior to the 2014 Olympics, investors are expected to have to pay roughly RUB 9bn (approx. USD 367m) for the building of these facilities, among which are a central stadium with a capacity of 40,000 and two large ice arenas.

RBC, 22.02.2008, Moscow 09:58:42.The Finance Ministry has approved the list of 15 foreign state agencies that the National Wellbeing Fund is permitted to invest in, the ministry's press office said. The agencies include the American Mortgage Lending Corporation, US federal home loan banks, and US federal farm credit banks. In addition, the fund's resources could be invested in a number of debt instruments issued by Spanish, Austrian, German, Dutch, British and French government organizations. As reported earlier, the National Wellbeing Fund's resources amounted to RUB 782.8bn (approx. USD 31.98bn) as of January 31, 2008.

RBC, 22.02.2008, Kiev 09:34:10.Prime Ministers of Russia and Ukraine Viktor Zubkov and Yulia Tmoshenko are due to meet in Kiev in April during a session of the Russian-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission for environmental cooperation, Ukrainian PM Yulia Timoshenko told journalists upon her arrival from Russia. She elaborated that the two sides have arrived at the stage of target planning, with a clear objective set for each area of cooperation. The specific plans are to be outlined in Kiev in April.

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Russia Is Serious About Visa Laws!(Or, Roth Whines About Bad Russia)

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Friday, February 22, 2008 :

Hello,

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

==================================================
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.

=================================================

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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Russia: Update on Pastor Phillip Miles!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Friday, February 22, 2008 :

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.

=================================
http://www.christcommunitychurchonline.com/update_on_pastor_miles

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.
=================================
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.
==================================

What do we need you to do?

*
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.
=================================
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.
==================================

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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Russia Looks At America With Open Eyes!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Thursday, February 21, 2008 :

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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Russia: Moving Lenin's Body from Red Square?

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Thursday, February 21, 2008 :

Hello,

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

===============================================
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.
===============================================

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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Russia: Good Blogs!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Thursday, February 21, 2008 :

Hello,

I was drinking my cup of coffee & thinking that I have not posted about my favorite Blogs for a very long time! I have several blogs that I love to read every time they post.......
==================================

Silver People Chronic le: I remember the first day I found this blog & read an article! When I was done reading, I was hooked & have followed the history of Panama ever since. Give it a try, Roberto the Blog owner has a way with making history fun to read!
==================================

TESSELLAR>BLOG: I always have loved architecture & Mazlin the owner of the blog is a dedicated designer of Housing Communities! Mazlin is extremely busy but always finds time to post his latest projects. I find that his Blog is a place where I can go and browse the archives for hours. Give it a try, it might surprise you!!!
==================================

Krusenstern (Swiss): I have trouble keeping up with the posts on this Blog, he posts so often. I also have to translate some of the words because the language is in Swiss! I say very little comments on his Blog but I want Kruenstern to know that I look at his Blog as a role model for me to follow, to better my Blog. Give it a look over. (You will like it)
==================================

Rotus: Rotus is a Blog that I like to visit to just kick my shoes off and make myself at home! I like to watch his struggles to become a "Big Time Blog". We all strive to increase our Blog presence, but Rotus has a flare for doing it that makes you laugh and cry at the same time. Rotus, I hope that "John Chow" looks up to you one day! Also give a try to Clark's Picks while you are strolling around his neighborhood! Give them a try, you will smile!
==================================

Kilburn Kapers: Dave owner of Kilburn Kapers simply just makes me laugh! I always can go there several times a week & watch a video or see a funny picture! It is a clean cut humor that makes my day shine a little better. Give it a try!
==================================

De Rebus Antiquis: I have learned so much Russian history from this blog! It has been a fantastic resource for both my Wife & I! Try out Dmitri Minaev's Blog. Russia will become much more clarified for you.
==================================

These are some of the Blogs that we are proud to have a link with.

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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Russia: Some Of Our, Top Read Posts!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Thursday, February 21, 2008 :

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Russia: Volga Automobile, Part 1 History!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Wednesday, February 20, 2008 :

Volga V12 Coupe!

Throughout the Soviet world, Volga cars were seen as a high status symbols, used by party

officials, the nomenclature, and security services. Also all Volga cars traditionally were used as taxi cabs, road police interceptors and ambulances. Today, Volga cars are seen as large and inexpensive family sedans. Cars under this name have been in production since 1956. There are 3 major generations: M21 (1956–70), M24 (1970–92, over two minor generations) and M31 (since 1982, in various versions).
=================================

GAZ-21:
The GAZ M21 Volga, the first car to carry the Volga name, was developed in the early 1950s. Volga's were built to last in the harsh climate and rough roads of the Soviet Union, with high ground clearance, rugged suspension, strong and forgiving engine, and rustproofing on a scale unheard of in the 1950s.

The Volga M21 was the most luxurious car any Soviet citizen was permitted to own.

The car's large size and tough construction made it popular in the police and taxi trades, and V8-engined versions were produced for the KGB secret service.

Today, the M21 is considered a motoring icon with fans all over the world, including at least a handful in the USA .
===============================================

GAZ 24:
The GAZ-24 Volga entered limited production in 1968 and with a two year switch from M21 to M24, full-scale manufacturing began in 1970. GAZ-24 production continued with many modifications and improvements until 1992 with the M31 permanently replacing it. This Volga enjoyed moderate success in export markets, and is the best-selling model in GAZ history with over 600,000 made.

During the 1960s-80

s the Volga was also assembled in Belgium, with the model M21 at first. This took place at SA Sobimpex, NV, in Brussels. The cars came to the harbour in Antwerp without engine and with the gearbox, disassembled, in the boot. At Sobimpex they initially built in a Perkins Four-99 diesel engine. Later on the Perkins diesel engine was succeeded by a Rover engine, which was succeeded for the GAZ-24 by an Indenor engine from Peugeot; the model now gained the designation "D", for Diesel.

Almost all GAZ passenger cars introduced since the 1970s are based on the venerable GAZ-24 platform, right down to the central body shell. In the 1970s, Volga also introduced a convertible "24" model which had a limited, but very successful run.

Volga car production was always very limited, and about 90% of them were sold to different organizations right on the assembly line, so one had either to wait for years to by a Volga or to get a special permit. Mostly because of this, Volga cars were cared by their owners with great love.

Engines were: 2445 cc (150 c.i.) 95-100 hp I4 with 4-speed manual and 5530 cc (340 c.i.) 195 hp (145 kW) V8 with 3-speed auto, V8 version was produced in very limited numbers and used primary by the KGB and road police. Power drum brakes were standard, power steering was standard on V8 cars. The car was equipped with AM-FM transistorized 3-wave radio with power antenna, heater with defroster, rear window defogger, front and rear central armrests, front and rear seatbelts (since 1977), electric clocks, 2 windscreen washers, instrument panel safety padding, padded sun visors, door-to-door carpeting, trunk and glove compartment lights. Custom-built cars were equipped with air conditioner, tinted glass, custom interiors, power windows and additional chrome trim.

GAZ-24-10: (This is the model of our car)

The GAZ-24-10 (an improved version of GAZ-24 with many changes in appearance, engine, suspension, brakes, etc.) was produced from 1985–92. An estate, the GAZ-24-12 Universal, was also produced. 24-10 was sold to private owners without any restrictions, though the price was still rather high. GAZ-24-10 is also known as the third generation of GAZ-24.
=======================================================

GAZ-31xx:
The model numbers of 31xx series conform to a new model numbering system adopted in the USSR at the time.

GAZ-3102:
A restyled, improved and more luxurious version of the GAZ-24 with 105 hp (78 kW) engine, the Volga GAZ-3102, arrived in 1982 and continues in production to the present (with new engines: ZMZ-406, 4 cyl., DOHC, 2,3l, 130 h.p.; or Steir 4 cyl. diesel; or Chrysler, 4 cyl., DOHC, 150 hp (112 kW), totally new interior and improved suspension.) Front disk brakes became standard, as well as 3.9:1 rear axle and many other improvements. Again, V8-powered limited production version existed, called GAZ-31013, engine and transmission remained the same with only minor modifications. Also, in mid-1990s there was a limited production version with Rover V8 3,9L engine. Before 1991, the Volga 3102 was not sold to private owners because it was built exclusively for government organizations. Since the early 1990s, 3102 is positioned by GAZ as a luxury saloon and costs slightly more than a standard Volga, and it is often mentioned that production quality of 3102 Volgas is slightly better than for other GAZ cars.

GAZ 31029:
The Volga 31029, featuring more aerodynamic front bodywork, was produced from 1991–97. Its reputation is rather poor because of rust problems and poor quality. A 31029 was featured as a getaway car in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye.

GAZ-3110:
A more modern derivative of the GAZ-31029, the Volga GAZ-3110, arrived in 1997 and remained on sale until 2003. The estate version of the 3110, the Volga 310221 Universal, remains in production as of 2007. The saloon received a minor front restyle for the final year of production, while the estate continued with the 1997 front styling, with everything from the A-pillar back dating to 1972.

The 3110's replacement, the Volga 31105, entered production in early 2004 and represents the most heavily restyled and modernized version of the GAZ-24 yet. In addition, even more heavily restyled GAZ-24 versions in both saloon and estate form are planned for the near future.

GAZ-3105:
Besides the GAZ-24 derivatives, GAZ has also produced two truly modern Volga models in recent years. The all-wheel drive Volga 3105 luxury saloon powered by the all-new OHC V8 engine was produced in limited quantities (primarily for experimental use) from 1994–97, when production ceased after only a few hundred had been built.

GAZ-3111:
The 3105 was succeeded by the rear-wheel drive Volga 3111 produced from 1998–2003. The 3111 was a modern luxury saloon targeted against used western cars on the ex-Soviet market. It featured GAZ M21-influenced retro styling cues and was developed in collaboration with US-based Venture Industries. Though very modern in appearance and packaging, the 3111 still used some parts from 1967-presented M24. 3111 production ceased after a short run caused by high production costs, and lackluster sales due in part to the car's uncompetitive $8,800 base price.

GAZ-31105:
The GAZ 31105 Volga entered production in 2004 as a replacement for the one year-only Mark II version of the 3110. The car features a more heavily revised front, with a grille and headlights inspired by the modern, but discontinued, 3111. New, more conventional looking, body-coloured door handles were also instituted. The 31105 is available only as a saloon, with the estate continuing with the old 3110 styling.
===============================================

What is to become of the Volga?

GAZ, announced that production of Volga passenger cars would be phased out over a 2-year period, with production to end in 2007. GAZ stated that they would instead concentrate on their more profitable truck, bus, and commercial vehicle businesses. At the same time the announcement was made, GAZ also introduced the Volga 311055, a long wheelbase derivative of the 31105. However, in the summer of 2006, GAZ reversed its earlier decision, announcing that further investments would be made in upgrading the styling and technology of the Volga sedans, keeping them in production as "retro" or "historical" vehicles. In early 2006, GAZ signed a deal with Daimler Chrysler to acquire the tooling and intellectual property rights for the Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring mid-size cars, which will enter production in Russia, but under GAZ Siber brand, not Volga. GAZ owns the car's platform outright, allowing all-new future vehicles to be developed on the same underpinnings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volga_(automobile)
http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimix/ENGLISH-automotorusse6(gaz).htm
http://m24d.pixtura.net/m24-hist.htm
http://www.gaz-motors.com/history.aspx
http://russianfun.net/interesting-galleries/volga-that-never-made-it/
http://www.gaz24.com/news.php
http://www.quartzcity.net/2004/04/30/russian-retro-supercar/
http://www.tuningmag.net/?name=volga-gaz-m21-tuning
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-volga-automobile-part-2.html

Here is Part 2!
Here is Part 3!

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Russian News: February 19th, 2008!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 19, 2008 :

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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Russia: Model 24 Volga!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 19, 2008 :

Our Volga, Model 2410, We call her Nelly!Hello,

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee & thinking about Volga cars!

We own a Volga model 24. It is a lot like a 1960's car from America & it is a Tank! (For lack of a better word)

We are going to do a 3 part article on the Volga Car! From model 21 to present day!

The Volga is the flagship car of the Soviet Union (and Russia) & foreign cars have almost sent the

Volga to its grave.... (Some would say that would be good)

I think the Volga is one of the best cars I have ever owned!

So came back tomorrow & see part one.

Kyle

comments always welcome.

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Svet Sunday: St Petersburg Metro is Beautiful too!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Sunday, February 17, 2008 :

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.
==================================
(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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Russian News: February 15th, 2008!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Friday, February 15, 2008 :

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.

RBC, 15.02.2008, Moscow 16:56:21.Gazprom secured a loan worth $1.635bn from Credit Suisse in January 2008 in order to redeem another loan obtained in September 2007, the Russian gas giant reported in an IFRS-based financial statement for the first nine months of 2007. The new loan was extended at an annual interest rate of 5.25 percent with maturity in 2018. Furthermore, in September 2007, Credit Suisse granted Gazprom another loan worth USD 1.635bn at an annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.3 percent with maturity in 2009.....

RBC, 15.02.2008, Moscow 16:37:12.Slightly over two hours before the close of today's session, the RTS index was down 1.5 percent at 1,994.83 points, while the MICEX index went down 1.96 percent to 1,654.79 points. On the RTS< href="http://www.rbcnews.com/">RBC, 15.02.2008, Moscow 15:20:31.Alexander Potyomkin, President of the Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange (MICEX), and Atsushi Saito, President and CEO of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, have held talks over the prospects for Russian companies to make IPOs on the Japanese market, the Russian exchange's press office reported today. The parties also discussed the possibility of Japanese investors' entry on the Russian market. During the meeting, Potyomkin pointed out that foreign traders accounted for roughly 30 percent of MICEX's trade volume, although the number of Japanese investors was still fairly moderate. MICEX's current priority is to provide Japanese investors with accurate information on the situation on the Russian stock market, Potyomkin noted.

RBC, 15.02.2008, Moscow 12:59:46.Russia's total spending on existing nanotechnology programs exceeds RUB 220bn (approx. USD 8.93bn), First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told an economic forum in Krasnoyarsk today. An additional RUB 130bn (approx. USD 5.28bn) was invested in the Russian State Corporation of Nanotechnologies (RCNT), a recently established state-owned company for the promotion of nanotechnology in the country, Medvedev stated. The Deputy PM also pointed out that, while the funds were to be allocated on a competitive basis, the preference would be given to Siberian companies.

RBC, 15.02.2008, Moscow 12:35:30.The ruble is likely to become a stable currency over the next four to five years, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin told an economic forum today, commenting on the economic program presented earlier by First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. While Kudrin welcomed Medvedev's plan to cut taxes in Russia, he doubted the feasibility of the projected development of the country's road network in light of a simultaneous tax reduction.

RBC, 15.02.2008, Moscow 09:52:11.A national plan for fighting corruption must be developed and implemented as a matter of urgency, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told the "Russia 2008-2020. Growth Management" economic forum in Krasnoyarsk today. He also pointed out that breaking laws should stop being a habit, as a disrespect for law always leads to a lack of respect for other people and failure to comply with people's own responsibilities.

RBC, 15.02.2008, Krasnoyarsk 09:27:46.Russia has to pass a package of laws to counter corporate raiding, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told a forum in Krasnoyarsk today. According to him, it has to be an effective tool to prevent corporate raids.

RBC, 14.02.2008, Moscow 18:37:14.One of the Russian government's primary goals for the next decade is to ensure the expansion of the country's middle class and to reduce inequality in the incomes of Russians, President Vladimir Putin told a press conference today. The country's leader pointed out that the current 15-fold difference in the incomes between the rich and the poor was absolutely intolerable. Putin reiterated that the government needed to take steps to ensure that Russia's middle class grow to 60-70 percent of the population by 2020.

RBC, 14.02.2008, Moscow 17:33:50.During a press conference in Moscow today, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared his readiness to discuss bilateral relations between Russia and Georgia, including current and pressing issues, with his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili. Answering a question about his readiness to discuss acute and touchy issues, particularly the disputed status of such regions as Abkhazia and South Ossetia if Kosovo declares independence, Putin pointed out that Saakashvili and himself always met at all the forums, and that if he should accept an invitation to come on February 22, they would be sure to hold a one-on-one meeting to discuss all such issues.

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Moscow Metro: Part 3

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Thursday, February 14, 2008 :

Hello,

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.....

The video shows how beautiful the Moscow Metro is designed! The Moscow Metro has been called the Palace Under the Ground.....

This link is to a website with some beautiful mosaics....
Deineka mosaics on Mayakovskaya

We just let the pictures speak for themselves....

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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Russia warns Iran on missiles, uranium enrichment

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Wednesday, February 13, 2008 :

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...

read more | digg story

Russia: BBC Sent Wrong Boy To Volga!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Wednesday, February 13, 2008 :

Hello,

Sometimes I see things that are very wrong & I have found something that BBC is doing that falls into this category!

BBC has sent a reporter into Russia to make a road trip. This trip is to find out about the things that are wrong with Russia.... (below a quote from Rupert Wingfield-Hayes)
================================
"However, the trip was never supposed to be a pleasure cruise. We set out to try and look at some of the major problems confronting Russia, and that may be why I came across as sounding rather negative. It is, I suppose, in the nature of journalists to look for the dark underbelly." said, Rupert Wingfield-Hayes
================================
This trip started out with a reporter that basically lambasted Russia for her many faults & was incredibly negative about the trip through Russia! The reporters attitude was summed up in the quote above. Then as the complaints about the story, started pouring into BBC, the attitude of the reporter had a significant turnaround. The last story even had a question answer session, where the reporter tried to correct statements of negativity from earlier articles. This question & answer session was too late the damage has been done.

This is what I constantly struggle with: The media from Europe and America put Russia down every chance they get! The media wants the world to think Russia is a bad place......

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7230502.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7226848.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7217149.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7213397.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7234960.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7241042.stm

I feel that this trip was started to degrade Russia, Britain has a problem with thinking that they are better than Russia!

I think that someone from Russia should do a road trip in England to: "set out to try and look at some of the major problems confronting Britain!" They could: "look for the dark underbelly"

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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This Is Something That Two Super Powers Can Be Proud Of!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Wednesday, February 13, 2008 :

America Ranked 1st in Spam,
Russia Ranked 2nd in Spam!

Hello,

I found this interesting & thought I would pass it on.
=================================
Russia emerged as the second spam superpower in the last quarter of 2007, yielding only to the United States in this traffic, said the report released at the web of Sophos, the IT and security control firm.
Under the Sophos latest report on the top spam-relaying countries, the United States is still the global leader in this indicator, accounting for 21.3 percent of spam traffic. Russia is the second with its 8.3 percent. It finally outpaced China, which managed to reduce spam messages to 4.2 percent and sink to the third position.

China is followed by Brazil, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, Poland, Germany, Spain, Mexico and Britain. Overall, those twelve spam-relaying countries account for 65 percent of global spam traffic.

Meanwhile, the Kaspersky Lab released its report on Russia’s spam traffic, claiming the spam share stepped up to 84.6 percent of all messages in January 2008. The lowest traffic (73.1 percent) was registered January 28, while the highest (97.3 percent) was noted on the first day of the year.
www.kommersant.com
=================================

America better be careful or Russia will catch them and be the Spam Kings also! :)

Kyle

comments always welcome.

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Uncle Sam & The Bear!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 12, 2008 :

Editorial:

The Cold War ended (1991) because the Soviet Union could no longer afford to fight it. With the collapse of the monetary system, so went the Soviet Empire. But now the inheritor of the Soviet Union (Russia) has money, long term money in the form of vast resources of natural materials. This money is once more building the military infrastructure that was the Soviet Union.

The Russian Bear, has returned with claws that are being resharpened.

From the West's point of view, Russia is a bully using gas supplies as a tactic to control Europe & Putin's threat to reside from nuclear arms control agreements. The West also looks at Russia as a "New Cold War!"

But the West has blinders on: America gloated over the Soviet collapse, The people in America celebrated this as a great victory for Democracy! The Capitalist world ascended upon the old Soviet Union looking to create a wonderful new Russia! Now that the Russians had a taste of the good life, they would dance to Uncle Sam's tune.

Small problem, Russia (who really was the Soviet Union) does not dance to any one else's tunes. It is the attitude of the West & the get rich quick schemes by the West (the West sought to profit from her humiliation.) that is now driving Russia back to being, well... Russia!

Russia dances to her own tune!

The US plan to put anti-missile missiles in Poland is rightly seen by the Bear as a threat. It is Uncle Sam that has jump started a new arms race, at a time when Russia can play on equal terms again.

Had the $100 barrel of oil happened to the Soviet Union & it had the tools Russia has now. The Soviet Union might not have disappeared. It was economic as much as moral and political decay that led to the collapse of the USSR economy in 1991.

If you are stupid enough to kick a bear while sleeping, you can expect it to bite.

Uncle Sam You should have woke the Bear gently......

Kyle Keeton

comments always welcome.

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Russian News: February 12th, 2008!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 12, 2008 :

RBC, 12.02.2008, Moscow 11:54:26.Today's session on the Russian stock market opened with most traded securities rising 1.5 percent on average. On MICEX, Surgutneftegas was the top gainer, having surged 2.5 percent. The RTS index was up 0.5 percent at the opening and climbed 1.3 percent to top 1,940 points within the first 15 minutes of the session. The increase in Russian stocks can be attributed to the positive dynamics of US indices and a hike in global oil prices.Analysts note that, although another decline is possible on the Russian market, most stocks are likely to go up further, particularly those of Surgutneftegas, which are now undervalued.

RBC, 12.02.2008, Moscow 11:20:23.A Ukrainian delegation headed by the republic's President Viktor Yushchenko will be arriving in Moscow today in order to participate in a second meeting of the intergovernmental commission jointly with Russia's leader Vladimir Putin. A bilateral cooperation plan, as well as a number of documents on trade, economic, scientific, and technological cooperation are expected to be signed during the visit.

RBC, 12.02.2008, Moscow 10:09:48.Gazprom could start its natural gas supply reduction to Ukraine at 6 p.m. today. An agreement to this effect was reached during a meeting between the executives of Naftogaz of Ukraine and Gazprom on Monday, when the Russian gas holding's President Alexei Miller held talks with the Chairman of the Executive Board of the Ukrainian state company Oleg Dubina at the Gazprom headquarters in Moscow regarding the payoff of Naftogaz's debt for Russian gas supplied to Ukrainian consumers.

RBC, 12.02.2008, Moscow 09:54:31.During the second Russian-Indian trade and investment forum scheduled to start in Delhi on Tuesday, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov will discuss prospects of the implementation of new joint projects. The PM is also anticipated to take part in the opening ceremony of VTB Bank's first office in New Delhi today. VTB was granted a license to launch a branch in the Indian capital on January 10, 2008. The Russian banking group currently boasts representations in 17 countries worldwide.

RBC, 12.02.2008, Barcelona 09:25:58.The Russian anti-virus software developer Kaspersky Lab's share on the Western European anti-virus software market amounted to 5 percent in 2007, General Director Yevgeny Kaspersky told RBC, citing corporate estimates. Meanwhile, the lab ranked among the top three leaders in the retail segment in most countries. The company currently controls over 40 percent of the home anti-viral software market in Germany and Austria, around 50 percent in Russia, and 20 percent in Spain.

RBC, 11.02.2008, Moscow 17:23:20.Russian Post is to remain a state-owned company, IT and Communications Minister Leonid Reyman told journalists during a meeting of the ministry's board today, adding that the ministry had yet to decide whether Russian Post needed to be converted into a state corporation or into a joint-stock company fully controlled by the government. Commenting on the possible deregulation of the postal sector, Reyman noted that if private-owned companies were allowed access to the market, it was necessary to ensure that Russian Post did not become an operator of its least efficient segments.

RBC, 11.02.2008, Moscow 15:06:40.Russia approved a write-off of 93 percent ($11.997bn) of Iraq's debt totaling $12.9bn, according to a bilateral agreement signed at the Russian Finance Ministry today. Russia had assumed the commitment in accordance with the Paris Club decision. The agreement was signed by Russia's Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin and Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.

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Russia: Bear Paws?

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 12, 2008 :

Police at Khabarovsk airport in the Russian Far East have intercepted a shipping package!

The package, contained 16 bear paws with a black market value of over $1,000 each. The sender, from the city of Okhotka in the Khabarovsk Territory, has yet to be identified. This is the largest haul of bear paws in five years, a police source said on Wednesday.

Bear paws are one of the most expensive Chinese delicacies, served in luxury restaurants and used primarily in traditional Chinese medicine to treat anything from cancer to impotence.
=================================
That is 4 Bears....
This upset me, I like Bears.....
I hope that they catch the people that did this!

Kyle

comments always welcome.

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Russia: Putins Speech!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 12, 2008 :

Hello,

This is Putins last Speech from the:

February 8, 2008,
The Kremlin, Moscow

Speech at Expanded Meeting of the State Council on Russia’s Development Strategy through to 2020

PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN:

Citizens of Russia,

Colleagues,

As I come to the end of this second term in office as President of the Russian Federation I think that I should speak about what has been accomplished over these last years and set out our long-term vision of the future.

As you well remember, the country was in a very difficult situation eight years ago. We had gone through a default and people had seen their savings devalued. Terrorists unleashed a large-scale civil war before our very eyes, insolently invading Dagestan and blowing up homes in Russian cities.

But the people responded with neither despair nor fear. On the contrary, our people closed ranks and drew together. Not only our military but society itself rose up to defend Russia, to defend our territorial integrity. Doctors and teachers who had not been paid for months loyally performed their duties. Workers, engineers and businesspeople all continued their work, trying to haul the economy out of its state of stagnation and collapse.

People had a clear and sincere desire to make the state stronger and change the state of affairs in the country. Today, I would like once again to thank everyone who gave us their trust and support back then. I have always felt and seen this support very tangibly and without it we would not have been able to accomplish a thing.

It was the will of the people and their direct participation in Russia’s destiny that was the decisive force that enabled us to accomplish what we have over these last eight years....

* * *

I would like to take a closer look at the state the country was in during the second half of the 1990s and the beginning of this decade.

I remind you that the terrorists’ invasion of Dagestan was a direct consequence of Chechnya having essentially separated from Russia. We faced a situation where outside forces with an interest in weakening Russia and perhaps even bringing about its collapse were openly inciting the separatists.

In Chechnya itself a regime of terror was unleashed on the population, which saw civilians and religious authorities killed, a slave trade of which the local people were also victims, and hostage-taking. Emissaries from Al Qaeda oversaw terrorist training camps. The self-proclaimed ‘Congress of the Peoples of Ichkeria and Dagestan’ declared the goal of establishing a fundamentalist caliphate from the Black Sea to the Caspian.

Absolutely open preparations were going on to carry out aggression against Russia and seize its age-old territories.

What could we respond with?

Our armed forces were demoralized and not prepared for combat. Military servicemen received a pittance, which even then was not always paid on time. Equipment was becoming outdated at an alarming rate. Our defense industry, meanwhile, was choked by debts and its human resources and production base were shrinking.

Russia itself had become a ‘patchwork’ of territories. The majority of regions had laws that contradicted the Russian Constitution. Violations in some cases were simply flagrant. There were regions, for example, that defined their status as that of a ‘sovereign state associated with the Russian Federation’. Legal provisions were drawn up to justify the territorial claims regions held against each other. Let me remind you that there are more than 2,000 such disputed territories, and if we ever let ourselves be drawn into this carve-up in the future it would prove endless and would destroy the country. Just think: back then, you could be a citizen of one of the Russian regions but not be a citizen of Russia!

State power was ineffective. This was evident in the weakened state institutions and disregard for the law. Russian media outlets often acted in the interests of particular corporate groups, carrying out their economic and political orders.

A large part of the economy was in the hands of oligarchs or openly criminal organisations. Agriculture was in a state of serious crisis.

The country’s finances were exhausted and we were almost completely dependent on foreign borrowing. This was what ultimately led to the 1998 default, which ruined many businesses and fuelled poverty and unemployment.

Inflation ate away at people’s already low incomes. Inflation in 1999 was running at 36.5 percent. The beginning of 1999 also saw the peak of wage, pension and benefit arrears (some benefits were not being paid at all). Companies had wage arrears of up to two years.

Real incomes were only 40 percent of what they were in 1991, and pensions were even lower. The result was that almost a third of our population had incomes below the subsistence minimum.

What this means is that a third of our population had been left completely destitute.

The difficult economic and social situation and the loss of many reference values had dealt a severe psychological blow to our society. Social ills, corruption and crime all strengthened their hold. The demographic crisis also worsened. The birth rate fell and the death rate rose.

Wealthy Russia had become a land of impoverished people.

It was in these conditions that we began to draft and implement our plan, our plan to extract Russia from this systemic crisis. Above all, we began work on restoring constitutional order, restoring people’s basic social guarantees, and strengthening the state institutions.

Our guiding principle was that Russia’s recovery could not be carried out at the expense of the people and at a cost of even further difficulties in their lives. People had already gone through too many hardships and trials in the 1990s.

Through considerable effort we succeeded in ending the war in the North Caucasus. Separatism retreated and although terrorism remains an acute threat, we dealt it a decisive and crushing blow. Chechnya is now a full-fledged region within the Russian Federation. It has held democratic parliamentary and presidential elections and has adopted a regional constitution. Its economy and social sector are developing today.

We have re-established a common legal space in the country. Regional laws have been brought into line with federal legislation, which in its turn has undergone serious development, including the systematization of laws and the adoption of a whole series of codes.

Not only have we once more become a united country, but throughout these years we have worked purposefully to develop federal relations.

We have established a clear delimitation of powers between the federal, regional and local authorities. At the same time, we have transferred a large part of the responsibilities for social and economic development to the regional and local authorities and have ensured the corresponding financial and material base. This represents a substantial decentralisation of power. I know that there is still much to do, but we are now working in the right direction.

We have strengthened the material base and the real independence of the courts.

Throughout this period we have worked consistently on putting in place a stable and effective political system.

We have rid the country of the harmful practice that saw state decisions taken under pressure from commodities and financial monopolies, media magnates, foreign political circles and shameless populists, a practice that was not only detrimental to our national interests but that cynically ignored the basic needs of millions of people.

Now we can state with assurance that the time when people’s political rights were ignored is over.

We are doing everything possible to ensure that our citizens can exercise their rights in full through an effective system of responsible and honest government.

Finally, Russia has returned to the world stage as a strong state, a country that others heed and that can stand up for itself.

We have built up a substantial foreign policy capital that is now contributing to our country’s development and working to protect the interests of our people and our national business.

I would like to quote a few figures. Over these last eight years total investment in the Russian economy has grown not by percentage points but has risen seven-fold. During the preceding period, annual net capital outflow was from $10 billion and up to $25 billion. But in 2007, we had record capital inflow of $82.3 billion.

Stock market capitalization has undergone a fantastic 22-fold increase compared to 1999. In 2006, this indicator put us ahead of Mexico, India, Brazil and even South Korea, which has been showing very rapid growth. The stock market was worth $60 billion at the end of 1999, but by the end of 2007, it had risen to $1.330 trillion.

Russia’s foreign trade turnover has increased more then five-fold. More than 6 million Russian citizens go abroad every year.

All of these figures are evidence that Russia has entered a new era as a modern state that is open to the outside world, and open too to business and fair competition.

We have now completely restored the level of social and economic development that was lost in the 1990s. People’s real incomes now exceed their pre-reform levels. The economy is growing steadily.

Last year, we had our best GDP growth result yet – 8.1 percent. According to the figures for 2007 (according to international experts’ data), Russia is ahead of G8 countries such as Italy and France in terms of GDP as calculated on a purchasing parity basis, and is now one of the world’s seven biggest economies.

We have begun major projects in the energy sector, transport infrastructure, machine-building and housing construction. We are carrying out structural reform in the aircraft manufacturing and shipbuilding sectors. We have attracted substantial investment to the car industry and railway equipment sector.

We have established state corporations with big financial and organisational possibilities in the economic sectors most sensitive for the state. The situation is also improving in agriculture.

Our children will no longer have to pay our old debts. The state foreign debt has shrunk to 3 percent of GDP – one of the lowest ratios in the world.

We have built up substantial financial reserves that protect our country from external crises and guarantee that we will be able to meet our social commitments in the future.

Overall, we have established macroeconomic stability and ensured our country’s financial independence. As a result, Russia has witnessed a real investment and consumer boom over these last two years.

Real incomes have undergone a 2.5-fold increase over these last eight years and pensions have risen by almost the same amount. I am well aware of the inflation situation and the rising prices, but I repeat that real incomes have risen 2.5-fold. Unemployment and the level of poverty have undergone a more than two-fold decrease.

We have checked the falling birth rate and rising death rate. As you recall, we drafted a demographic program not long ago. Many doubted that the state investments this program called for would be of any use. Today I am happy to say that they have been of use. The birth rate grew faster last year than at time in the last 25 years, and more children were born in the country than were born over the last 15 years.

Positive changes are taking place in education, science and health care. The state has once again begun paying attention to national cultural issues.

New opportunities have opened up for developing professional and mass sports in the country. The selection of Sochi to host the 2014 Winter Olympics is confirmation not only of our sports and economic achievements but also of Russia’s growing international influence.

Our biggest achievement is the stability that enables us to make our plans, calmly go about our work and start our families. People once more have confidence that life will continue to change for the better.

I repeat that we have achieved all of this together. All of this is the fruit of our daily labor, this important work that has changed the lives of our citizens and changed our country itself, a country of which we are deservedly proud.

Colleagues,

We have indeed accomplished much over these last eight years and still … Still we cannot rest on our laurels and become complacent. We need to take an objective and realistic look at the situation and take a resolutely self-critical approach.

We now have the task of effectively using the experience and resources we have built up to move on to a new stage in our country’s development.

We have drawn up a budget and approved a concrete development plan for the period through to 2010. Now we need to look beyond this horizon – look at least 10 years ahead. This is why we are here today to discuss the long-term strategy that will take us through to 2020. This is a most important choice for our society, the choice of direction our country’s future development will take.

Although we have had some successes over these last years we have still not yet succeeded in breaking away from the inertia of development based on energy resources and commodities. There is nothing wrong with developing the energy sector and increasing commodities production, on the contrary, developing a modern energy sector, the best in the world, and creating high-technology enterprises in the mining and natural resources processing sectors are among our unquestionable priorities.

But even with the economic situation in our favor at the moment, we are still only making fragmentary attempts to modernize our economy. This inevitably increases our dependence on imported goods and technology and reinforces our role as a commodities base for the world economy. In the future, this could lead to us lagging behind the world’s big economic powers and could push us out from among the world leaders.

If we continue on this road we will not make the necessary progress in raising living standards. Moreover, we will not be able to ensure our country’s security or its normal development. We would be placing its very existence under threat. I say this without any exaggeration.

The only real alternative to this scenario is to follow a path of innovative development based on one of our biggest competitive advantages – realization of our human potential. We need to make full and effective use of people’s knowledge and skills so as to continuously improve technology, improve our economic results and raise the quality of life in our society in general.

But I want to make it absolutely clear that the pace of innovative development must be substantially faster than it is today.

Yes, this is the more complicated road. It is a more ambitious undertaking and it requires the state, the business community and the whole of society to make the utmost effort, but we really do not have a choice.

What choice can there be between the opportunity to become a leader in economic and social development, a leader in ensuring our national security, and the threat of losing our economic standing, losing our security and ultimately even losing our sovereignty?

Russia must become the country offering the best life, and I am sure that we can achieve this goal, not by sacrificing the present for some radiant future, but by working day by day to improve people’s lives.

The transition to an innovative development path calls above all for large-scale investment in human capital.

Human development is the main goal and essential condition for progress in modern society. This is our absolute national priority now and in the future.

Russia’s future and our success depend on people’s education and health and their desire to improve themselves and make use of their skills and talents. I am not saying this because presidential elections are just around the corner. This is not a campaign slogan. This is vital for our country’s development. Russia’s future depends on our citizens’ enthusiasm for innovation and on the fruit of the labors of each and every individual.

Developing the national education system is a key part of global competition and one of the most important values in life. Russia has everything: a wealth of traditions and the immense potential needed to make our education system, from schools to universities, one of the best in the world.

The education system should encompass the most up-to-date knowledge and technology. In the coming years we will need to make the transition to a new generation of education standards that meet the needs of the modern innovative economy. The Education Ministry is working now on these standards. I would like discussion on these standards to take place in society as a whole. What we need are modern standards.

The education sector should serve as the base for expanding scientific work. Science, in its turn, has substantial educational potential. We need to provide assistance to talented young people actively engaged in research work, help them to integrate successfully into the scientific and innovative environment.

We are in third place in the world for the number of scientists and we are one of the world leaders for state spending on science, but we are still a long way from the lead in terms of results. This is a direct consequence of insufficient interaction between scientific and educational organisations, the state and the business community, and insufficient private investment in science.

The state must encourage the business community to invest in research and development. The increasing state resources invested in science must be used as effectively as possible and concentrated on fundamental and cutting-edge areas of research, above all in areas that are crucial for our national security and our people’s health.

One in every two men in our country does not live to see the age of 60 today. This is a disgrace. Our population is declining with every passing year.

I think that we will succeed in stabilizing the population over the coming 3-4 years, although some of our experts, including in the Government, forecast that this would be possible only in 10-12 years time.

We need to do everything in our power to bring about a more than 1.5-fold reduction in the death rate, and to raise the average life expectancy to 75 years by 2020.

This calls for serious systemic change to the way our health care system is organised. It also calls for modernization of our health care facilities and a quality improvement in human resources in the health care sector.

We need to create the conditions that will give people the possibility and the desire to look after their own health through disease prevention and getting involved in physical culture and sport.

Of course, we also need an effective family support policy. The important decisions and new measures we have taken lay the foundations for this policy. One of our most important tasks is that of building housing and putting in place the conditions that will enable people to find independent solutions to their housing issues.

We must also remember that economic growth and rising incomes will create increased demand for education and health care services. For these sectors to be able to meet growing public demand, the main criteria for financing must be the quality and amount of services they provide.

We need to make more active use of tax mechanisms to encourage investment in developing human capital. This requires us to exempt from taxation as much as possible companies’ and citizens’ spending on education, medical insurance, and co-financed pension schemes.

We need to ensure that all of our country’s citizens, using their knowledge and skills, and with the state’s help where needed, have the possibility of receiving quality education, looking after their health, buying a home and receiving a decent income, attaining the living standards of the middle class, in other words. I think that the middle class should make up at least 60 percent and perhaps even 70 percent of our society by 2020.

We need to begin closing the income gap right now. The 15-fold income gap that we currently have is unacceptable. But this does not mean that there should not be incentives for professional and creative self-realization. We do not want a system that pulls everyone down to the lowest common denominator.

Russia must become the leader in terms of possibilities for career growth and opportunities for people to raise their own social and material status over the course of their lives. Russia must be the leader in encouraging talent and success.

All who want to work should have the chance of earning a decent wage, and the chance too to save enough money to maintain their standard of living after retirement.

At the same time, it is very important that today’s pensioners and disabled people, who do not have such opportunities, receive decent pensions and benefits.

Finally, while on the subject of high living standards, we must also not forget about personal and public security in the broadest sense, security that ensures reliable protection of people’s lives and property, a safe and clean environment, safety in the transport and housing and utilities sectors and effective prevention of man-made disasters.

Of course, in our work to develop human capital we should also draw on the wealth of Russian culture and on its unique achievements and traditions.

All of this together constitutes a society that offers real and equal opportunities, a society without poverty, a society that guarantees the safety of all its citizens. Creating this society should be our goal and I am sure that we succeed in our objective.

Colleagues,

We face new and even more complicated economic policy issues today.

The Russian economy’s biggest problem today is that it is extremely ineffective. labor productivity in Russia remains very low. We have the same labor costs as in the most developed countries but the return is several times lower. This situation is all the more dangerous when global competition is increasing and the cost of qualified labor and energy resources is also on the rise.

Carrying out innovative development will enable us to substantially increase labour productivity. The main sectors of the Russian economy need to achieve at least a four-fold increase in labour productivity over the next 12 years.

In our work to make our economy radically more effective we also need to put in place incentives and conditions for progress in a whole number of different directions. This calls above all for the creation of a national innovative system based on all of the different state and private institutions supporting innovation.

This also calls for strengthening and expanding our natural advantages. We need to develop the basic sectors of our economy, including natural resources processing, and we need to make use of our energy, transport and agricultural potential.

This calls for large-scale modernization of production facilities in all economic sectors. This requires a completely new quality of business management and completely new technology, above all machines and equipment. In most cases, the best technology is energy effective and energy conserving technology, economical and environmentally friendly technology.

One of the most important areas is that of developing new sectors that are able to compete globally, above all the high technology sectors that are leaders in the ‘knowledge economy’, in aircraft manufacturing, shipbuilding and energy. This also requires us to develop information, medical and other new technology.

We must continue our work to build new and modernize existing roads, railway stations, ports, airports, electricity stations and communications systems.

It is essential to develop the financial infrastructure and bring it up to a level that meets the economy’s growing demands. Ultimately, Russia must become one of the world’s financial centres. Given our gold and foreign currency reserves (which stood at a little over $484 billion a few days ago), this would be a natural development. Incidentally, silly rumours are going round that the rouble is going to be re-denominated. This is complete nonsense. In the current situation it would be foolish and impossible.

Overall, we need to develop market institutions and competitive environment that will motivate companies to cut costs, modernize production and respond flexibly to consumer demand.

We need to create thousands of jobs for highly qualified workers, jobs that make use of people’s intellectual potential.

At the same time, the state must be active in helping people to change profession, find employment or start up their own business. This depends directly on establishing an effective system of ongoing learning and professional training and re-training. It also depends on creating a comfortable environment for small businesses. At the moment, small businesses work in very difficult conditions. It is awful what federal bodies in the regions with the support of regional and local authorities do. One can not start one’s business for months. People have to give bribes in every controlling institution – fire prevention, environmental services, medical permissions – you need to go to all of them, and it’s just terrible.

I will repeat, in our work in these various specific areas of social and economic policy we need to concentrate our efforts on resolving three key problems.

First: give everyone equal opportunities.

Second: create the motivation for innovative behavior.

Third: radically increase the economy’s effectiveness, above all through raising labour productivity.

If we succeed in achieving these objectives Russia will join the ranks of the world’s technological leaders.

Clearly, achieving these goals places new demands on public administration. The state needs to set clear development objectives and establish a goal-oriented system. Real results in building an innovative society should be the main evaluation criteria for the state’s overall performance.

But the state system today is weighed down by bureaucracy and corruption and does not have the motivation for positive change, much less dynamic development.

We need to do away with the excessive administrative pressure on the economy that has become one of the biggest brakes on development.

We need to establish competitive conditions for attracting the best and the brightest into the civil service, and make them more accountable to society.

One of the biggest problems in state management today is the excessive centralisation. The Government takes months and even years to take even the most elementary decisions. Formally speaking, everything is carried out correctly, according to the rules, but this is a case when the whole procedure, the order itself, lead to an absurd.

The Government should be the center for coming up with the ideology and the strategic plans. It should approve federal programs with clearly defined objectives, evaluation criteria and amounts of resources required, but it should not get involved in all the particularities and get bogged down in all the minute details.

The ministries should really manage the resources entrusted to them and independently issue the legal acts necessary for this work, as indeed was the initial plan of administrative reform.

The hallmarks of tomorrow’s public administration system should be independence and responsibility, dynamic movement forward, adherence to the country’s general development principles, effective resource use, bold and original decisions, support for initiative and innovation, a healthy flow of human resources, competence and broad horizons.

This approach should be the foundation not only for the state administration system but for the entire public sector and for all enterprises under the control of the state and local authorities.

The public sector employs around 25 million people (more than a third of the total workforce). This sector receives trillions of rubles in state investment and current state expenditure. We must therefore work in constant and purposeful fashion to improve performance in the public sector, which forms the backbone of the state as a whole.

It is also clear that the state cannot support and does not need such an enormous public sector. These numerous establishments and organizations should be able to work in a market environment and receive payment for their results and not simply for the fact that they exist. Their managers should bear personal responsibility for the quality of management.

We need to make use of the possibilities that exist for bringing private capital into the state sector, whether in industry or in the social sector.

A private company motivated to be effective will often be better manager than a government official who doesn’t always have an idea what is efficient management and what the effect must be.

We also need to simplify the tax system and minimize possibilities for arbitrary interpretation of the law. We need to introduce tax incentives for innovative development. Overall, we need to work towards further reducing the tax burden and setting a single VAT rate that is as low as possible.

We need to continue our work to establish an independent and effective judiciary that unquestionably guarantees entrepreneurs’ rights, including the right to protection from arbitrary action by bureaucrats.

Finally, the state must ensure it has sufficient instruments at its disposal to ensure macroeconomic stability even in an unstable situation on world markets.

The result of this work will be to establish in Russia a competitive and comfortable environment for investment (above all in the high-technology sectors) and for doing business.

Implementation of an effective regional policy is one of the most important areas of modernizing state administration.

Today we see increasing social and economic disparity between the different regions, and there are more regions at the bottom of the scale than at the top. The disparity between regions for most of the main parameters is phenomenal, in some cases a dozens-fold gap.

We need to work over these coming years to implement a new stage in regional policy aimed at ensuring not just formal but real equality between the different regions. Each region should have the resources it needs to ensure decent standards of living for its people and carrying out comprehensive development and diversification of its economy.

The development of new social and economic development centers in the Volga region, the Urals, Southern Russia, Siberia and the Far East has an important part to play in this work, as do the creation of a network of innovative regional production centers and the improvement of the transport and energy infrastructure.

I am convinced that only a balanced regional policy will enable us to ensure harmonious development throughout the country as a whole.

Colleagues,

The desire of millions of our citizens for individual freedom and social justice is what defines the future of Russia’s political system. The democratic state should become an effective instrument for civil society’s self-organization.

This is work that will unfold over a period of years, work that will continue with the help of educational activity and the cultivation of a culture of civic spirit. Raising the role of non-governmental organizations, human rights ombudsmen and public councils will contribute to this work, as will the development of a multi party system in Russia.

Russia’s future political system will be centered on several large political parties that will have to work hard to maintain or affirm their leading positions, be open to change and broaden their dialogue with the voters.

Political parties must not forget their immense responsibility for Russia’s future, for the nation’s unity and for our country’s stable development.

No matter how fierce the political battles and no matter how irreconcilable the differences between parties might be, they are never worth so much as to bring the country to the brink of chaos.

Irresponsible demagogy and attempts to divide society and use foreign help or intervention in domestic political struggles are not only immoral but are illegal. They belittle our people’s dignity and undermine our democratic state.

Finally, Russia’s political system must not only be in accordance with our national political culture but should develop together with it. Then it will be both flexible and stable.

No matter what their differences, all of the different public forces in the country should act in accordance with one simple but essential principle: do nothing that would damage the interests of Russia and its citizens and act only for Russia’s good, act in its national interests and in the interest of the prosperity and security of all its people.

I cannot but say a few words about Russia’s security and defense capability, and also about our foreign policy strategy. They all depend in large part on the level of economic and social development in our country.

It is now clear that the world has entered a new spiral in the arms race. This is does not depend on us and it is not we who began it. The most developed countries, making use of their technological advantages, are spending billions on developing next-generation defensive and offensive weapons systems. Their defense investment is dozens of times higher than ours.

We have complied strictly with our obligations over these last decades and are fulfilling all of our obligations under the international security agreements, including the Conventional Forces in Europe [CFE] Treaty. But our NATO partners have not ratified certain agreements, are not fulfilling their obligations, but nevertheless demand continued unilateral compliance from us. NATO itself is expanding and is bringing its military infrastructure ever closer to our borders. We have closed our bases in Cuba and Vietnam, but what have we got in return? New American bases in Romania and Bulgaria, and a new missile defense system with plans to install components of this system in Poland and the Czech Republic soon it seems.

We are told that these actions are not directed against Russia, but we have received no constructive responses to our completely legitimate concerns.

There has been a lot of talk on these matters, but it is with sorrow in my heart that I am forced say that our partners have been using these discussions as information and diplomatic cover for carrying out their own plans. We have still not seen any real steps to look for a compromise. We are effectively being forced into a situation where we have to take measures in response, where we have no choice but to make the necessary decisions.

Russia has a response to these new challenges and it always will.

Russia will begin production of new types of weapons over these coming years, the quality of which is just as good and in some cases even surpasses those of other countries. At the same time, our spending on these projects will be in keeping with our possibilities and will not be to the detriment of our social and economic development priorities.

The use of new technology also calls for a rethinking of strategy in the way our Armed Forces are organised. After all, new breakthroughs in bio-, nano- and information technology could lead to revolutionary changes in weapons and defense.

Only an army that meets the most modern demands can be entrusted with the deployment, servicing and use of new generation weapons. The human factor is becoming more important than ever. What we need is an innovative army, an army based on the very highest modern standards of professionalism, technical breadth of horizon and competence.

To achieve this, we need to make military service more prestigious, continue to raise wages for servicemen, provide them with better social protection and resolve their housing problems.

Overall, strengthening our national security requires a new strategy for developing the Armed Forces through to 2020, a strategy that takes into account the challenges and threats to our country’s interests today.

Today’s world is not becoming any simpler. On the contrary, it is becoming ever more complicated and tougher. We have seen how the lofty slogans of freedom and an open society are sometimes used to destroy the sovereignty of a country or an entire region. We have seen how, behind a veneer of clamorous rhetoric about free trade and investment, the most developed countries step up their protectionist policies.

A fierce battle for resources is unfolding, and the whiff of gas or oil is behind many conflicts, foreign policy actions and diplomatic demarches.

In this context, it is understandable that the world should be showing growing interest in Russia and in Eurasia in general. God was generous in giving us natural resources. The result is that we are running up against repeats of the old ‘deterrence’ policy more and more often. But what this usually boils down to, essentially, are attempts to impose unfair competition on us and secure access to our resources.

It is essential to remain steadfast and firm in such a situation, to avoid being drawn into costly confrontation or a new arms race that would be destructive for our economy and disastrous for our country’s domestic development.

Our choice is clear. Russia is a reliable partner for the entire international community in resolving global problems. We are interested in mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas – in security, science, energy, and in tackling climate change.

We are interested in being as involved as possible in global and regional integration and in close trade, economic and investment cooperation, in developing high technology and making it a part of our everyday lives. This is all in accordance with our strategic goals. If we want to achieve our national goals we need a peaceful and positive international relations agenda. And we will pursue this course

I stress that we have no intention of trying to take anything away from anyone else. We are a self-sufficient country. And we have no intention either of closing ourselves off from the outside world and living in isolation.

I am certain that an independent, pragmatic and responsible policy will enable Russia to strengthen its international authority as a reliable and honest partner.

Colleagues,

Today we are deciding one of the most important issues for Russia’s future – defining its development strategy through to 2020. It is clear that only a consolidated society can fully carry out such a strategy. This means that our long-term references must be clear to everyone and must have the support of our citizens.

I think it is extremely important that our national development plans should be discussed at every level of society and that all society’s institutions should be involved. And there must be some tangible result of these discussions. Ultimately, this process will result in the Government’s approval of a concept for national social and economic development through to 2020 and a concrete action plan in all of the different areas I outlined. We need a step-by-step plan in each of these different areas.

Russia has already proved in the past that it can achieve what others thought impossible. In the post-war years we accomplished industrial development and were the first to enter outer space.

Over these last years, we have confidently come back, we have worked to restore the country after the chaos, economic ruin and breakdown of the old system that we saw in the 1990s.

Furthermore, Russia’s GDP increased by 72 percent over 2000-2007. If we keep up this kind of annual growth of 7.8 percent, we could double our GDP by the end of next year.

But today, we are setting an even more ambitious goal, that of bringing about fundamental change in our lives, the quality of life in our country and in its economy.

Russia is a land of hardworking and educated people who want to be leaders and have always had the thirst for victory in their national character. We have always sought to be free and independent.

Russia has immense national resources and great scientific potential.

Russia has a clear understanding of how it can use these resources to reach the new and ambitious goals we have set.

There is not a single serious reason that should prevent us from reaching our goals. Not one!

I am absolutely convinced that our country will succeed in consolidating its position as one of the world leaders and that our citizens will live decent lives.

Thank you for your attention.

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Why Did I Try To Walk Into Russia With A Box Of Ammunition?

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Monday, February 11, 2008 :

Hello,

I ask again, "Why would any one bring undeclared ammunition into Russia?"

I finally found an update on, Pastor Phillip Miles of Christ Community Church in Conway, South Carolina. I wrote an article about him last week. (LINK: Why would anyone bring ammunition into Russia!)

Now it looks as though the situation is what it seems: Miles will be held for at least 60 days as charges of smuggling & trafficking are investigated. If evidence is found against him he could spend up to 7 years in prison, in Russia!

To us Americans it seems to be a case of, "Bad Russia!" But I have lived here two years now & I see a different side to what has happened!

There is more to this situation than the Pastor's support group from within & outside of Russia is telling..... This situation will spread to the missionary in Russia! I hope the friend that he tried to bring ammunition in for has a legal right to have a rife in Russia?

Russia is no different than America on these type of rules. If you were Russian (or anyone) and tried to cross American borders with undeclared ammunition....... (follow the rules)
http://www.biggamehunt.net/sections/Firearm/
http://studenttravel.about.com/od/getontheroad
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/12735
http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm
http://www.cbp.gov/

"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.

Read more for the article:
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MOSCOW, RUSSIA (ANS) -- A South Carolina pastor detained in Russia early this week after bringing hunting bullets into the country while on a mission trip will be held in a prison there for 60 days while prosecutors investigate smuggling and trafficking charges against him.

A story written by Robert Morris of The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, said that after a formal hearing Friday in Moscow, Pastor Phillip Miles of Christ Community Church in Conway, South Carolina, will be moved from a temporary airport detainment facility to a prison for the investigation, according to David Aylor, Miles' nephew and a Charleston attorney.

Two Russian attorneys are representing the pastor and the U.S. Embassy is monitoring the situation, but the case is essentially in the Russian prosecutors' hands for two months, Aylor said.

“He's at the mercy of the Russian justice system,” Aylor said. “It's basically at a standstill at this point.”

Morris said that if the case goes forward and Miles is convicted, he faces three to seven years in prison for the smuggling-ammunition charge or up to four years for trafficking in ammunition, said Nicole Thompson, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman.

He went on to say, “Miles' imprisonment began earlier this week as he prepared to return from a mission trip to the city of Perm, at the foot of a mountain range that borders Siberia. On his way into the country in late January, Russian authorities confiscated a box of hunting-rifle bullets, but allowed him to continue his trip.”

“It was a something that was brought as a gift to the Siberian preacher,” Aylor said. “It was something you or I could get from any local ammunition carrier in the United States.”

On his way back through the Moscow airport this week, however, Miles was prevented from returning to the United States as Russian authorities questioned him further. Even after the newly imposed 60 days are up, prosecutors can ask for more time to investigate, Aylor said.

“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,” read a statement posted on the church's Web site. “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.”

The story said that there has been no indication that Miles' arrest is related to his missionary work, Aylor said. The Russian Orthodox Church is the dominant religion in Russia, and the State Department's 2007 report on International Religious Freedom describes a slight decline in some groups' right to worship in the country, but no particular pattern of harassment against foreign missionaries or evangelical groups was reported.

Because the U.S. Embassy is closely involved in the case, family members are not concerned that any harm will come to Miles in the prison, Aylor said. The pastor, who has a wife and three grown children in Horry County and other close family members throughout the state, has been able to call home since his arrest.

“Considering, he's in good spirits,” Aylor said. “He's a man of faith. He knows the Lord will lead him through this.”

Morris wrote, “Miles' arrest made the front page of the English-language daily Moscow Times, a 35,000-circulation newspaper read by expatriates in the city. The newspaper cites several other international smuggling cases - including those of Soviet-era medals, rare Soviet posters and a turn-of-the-century crucifix - none of which led to prison time.”

“We all come up with crazy ideas for a gift,” wrote Justin Miles, the pastor's son, in a letter to the Russian newspaper. “Please forgive my father for his mistake.”

An updated posted on the church web site on Friday, February 8, 2008, at www.christcommunitychurchonline.com says:

“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.
=================================

U.S. Pastor To Be Held For Two Months for Investigation

By David Nowak

Staff Writer

MOSCOW — A Moscow court has ordered a U.S. pastor to remain in detention for two months while prosecutors investigate him on suspicion of smuggling ammunition into the country, a U.S. Embassy spokeswoman said Sunday.

Phillip Miles, a pastor of the Christ Community Church in Conway, South Carolina, was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport on Feb. 3, days after rifle rounds were discovered in his luggage.

Miles remained on Sunday in the airport holding cell where he was taken after being detained, the spokeswoman said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.

At Friday’s hearing, the Golovinsky District Court, which has jurisdiction over Sheremetyevo, ordered Miles be moved to a different, “interim facility,” the spokeswoman said. It was unclear when that would happen.

“After [Friday’s] preliminary hearing, Miles remains in detention on charges that may include trafficking, with a potential sentence of a monetary fine or four years imprisonment, and smuggling, with a potential sentence of three to seven years,” the spokeswoman said.

Airport officials seized the ammunition when Miles entered Russia on Jan. 29. Officials allowed Miles to continue on his trip to Perm, where he met fellow church members, on the proviso that he check in with them at Sheremetyevo on the way back to the United States.

When he did, he was detained on suspicion of smuggling the ammunition, which he admitted he failed to declare, as required by law, according to friends.

The bullets were a gift for a pastor in Perm, who was a fellow hunting enthusiast, according to the embassy spokeswoman and Miles’ associates.

Neither the law enforcement body that detained Miles nor the location of the court could be established as of Sunday. The embassy spokeswoman did not have immediate access to the information and calls to prosecutors, the Federal Security Service and the Moscow City Court went unanswered.

Two lawyers contacted Sunday 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 on Sunday.

“Checking one box on the declarations form could have saved him all this trouble,” Melnikov added.
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http://www.evangelicalnews.org/indiv_pr.php?pr_id=10727
http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=20363&PN=1&TPN=1
http://www.acctv.com.au/articledetail.asp?id=5735
http://www.eurotrib.com/comments/2008/2/7/13137/47249/51?mode=alone;showrate=1#51
It is going to be a long 60 days, will most likely be much longer like years.

PS: UPDATE LINK
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-update-on-pastor-phillip-miles.html

Kyle & Svet

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Svet Sunday: Could you release a branch?

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Sunday, February 10, 2008 :

I like to listen or read parables and sometimes I feel that I need to tell parables myself. The Internet is a very strange place. You never know who will visit you and you never know if your story could help this person. Sometimes to find important information, a beautiful picture, or just to spend time in pleasant company, could help to change your whole life.

----------------------------------
So today I'll tell you a story that my Teacher likes to tell. I am not sure if it is a famous parable or not. I'll just tell......

It was high in the mountains and it such happened that one lonely traveler fell off a cliff in the mountains. It was a very deep cliff, but he managed somehow to catch a thin branch of bush sticking out of the side of the cliff half way down. He hung on this branch for his dear life and realized that he could not hang like that very long. The situation looked hopeless and he did what people do when they see that their situation is traumatic; Yes, they pray to God! This man started to pray, he told God that, might be he was not the best man, but if he would be saved he will change himself, he will go to church every Sunday and do all what God tell him to do.

He was praying like that rather long time. Then God who had been listing made a wonder, the sky opened and a loud powerful voice told:"You people always tell like that! I don't believe you!" The man started to pray even more! Then heard just the same statement:"You all tell like that! I don't believe you!" The man continued praying at a furious pace and I do not know exactly what he was asking God but the Voice from Heaven told him:"OK, I'll save you. Just release the branch." The man in astonishment said. "What! Do you think I am crazy?" ............
-----------------------------------------------

What is the branch? - maybe your habits, maybe something else.... What do you think about this parable?

Sometimes to get something new, you need to empty your hands!

And here you can hear one of my favorite songs "Есть только миг", (Александр Зацепин,сл. Л.Дербенева, исп. Олег Анофриев) из к/ф "Земля Санникова" ("There's just a flash") :

What is this song about? I found a translation of this song for you:

Ghostly is all in this world that is furious
There's just a flash, and you hold on to it!
Only one flash between the past and the following
It is what we for so long have called "life".

Eternal peace is not likely to please your heart
Eternal peace is for gray pyramids
But for a star that let go and is falling
There's just a flash, just a dazzling flash.

You make this flash fly far though the centuries
Not all the time our pathways shall meet
What do I treasure and what do I risk in life?
One single flash, only one single flash…

What will you meet - maybe sadness or happiness?
But there's just a flash and you hold on to it!
Only a flash between past and the following
It is what we for so long have called "life"...
Best Wishes,

Svet and Kyle

comments always welcome.

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Russian 18th Century Ship To Be Raised!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Saturday, February 09, 2008 :

Hello,

A Russian ship which sank in 1771 off the coast of Finland is to be raised out of the water. It is said to be carrying works of art bought by the Russian empress, Catherine the Great, in Amsterdam.

The ship's cargo contained around 300 works of art, including paintings by Rembrandt, as well as jewelry, silverware, etchings and porcelain. The cargo hold which lays at a depth of 41 meters, was undamaged as it is wrapped in buckskin and kept in lead containers filled with wax.

Years ago the ship was discovered by Finnish explorers and the cargo was proclaimed the property of Finland, in line with international maritime law.

This has created an issue in Russian-Finnish relations.

This makes you wonder how many valuables are just laying at the bottom of the ocean.

Do you think there is a lot of Gold at the bottom of the ocean?

Kyle

comments always welcome.

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U.S.A. Gives Russia bad marks!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Saturday, February 09, 2008 :

Hello,

Another think tank from America, talking about Russia! Seems that the USA Government has nothing better to do than sit around spending billions on deciding that Russia is Bad!

No wonder Russia really does not care what Americans think or if Americans travel here or not, the press from America is all bad about Russia!

That is why I have this blog to put a different light on Russia!

Russia Is Cool!

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.
=================================
08/02/2008 22:47 MOSCOW. (Andrei Fedyashin for RIA Novosti) - Gas, oil, pipelines and investments in Europe or Asia have become Russia's main sins that without absolution or strict control may do damage to U.S. national security, both taken singly or as a package.

Michael McConnell, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, has listed all of them in his Annual Threat Assessment to Congress. He mentions the military component of the potential Russian threat but not without some embarrassment because of the permanent U.S. military build-up as compared to the weakened Russian potential. McConnell notes that the Russian army is overcoming "a long, deep deterioration in its capabilities that started before the collapse of the Soviet Union". The intelligence tsar, as the U.S. Director of National Intelligence is called, suggests that Moscow's mounting economic might should be viewed as a source of concern.

The report does not even mention Russia as a threat to the United States. Its detailed analysis is neither scary nor sensational. Nor does it contain anything new as regards Moscow. The previous report a year ago criticized Russia a lot more.

The Kremlin's response to the report was absolutely right. When Russian journalists asked officials to comment on it, they were told that the report should not be overdramatized, although it raised some questions. After all, Americans have long been accusing Russia of "positioning to control an energy supply and transportation network spanning from Europe to East Asia," and talking about Russian energy policy: "Aggressive Russian efforts to control, restrict or block the transit of hydrocarbons from the Caspian to the West-and to ensure that East-West energy corridors remain subject to Russian control-underscore the potential power and influence of Russia's energy policy."

Moscow can hardly perceive as a challenge McConnell's "concerns about the financial capabilities of Russia, China and OPEC countries and the potential use of their market access to exert financial leverage to political ends." The same applies to his concern about the growth of Russian investment abroad. He means mostly investment in energy sectors in Europe and China. But this is nothing new, and the United States has been doing the same for years.

Not a single country has so many divisions as the United States - from the State Department and the Pentagon to the Department of Agriculture - that are responsible for promoting abroad American goods and services, credits, financial instruments, culture, way of life, Coke, cars and washing machines. In any country, be it tiny or very powerful, American Ambassadors and other diplomats will not be embarrassed if they have to flex their muscles or throw America's rivals off the bridge. This is almost an axiom in the diplomatic service. But the very fact that Russia is mentioned in the report together with Iran, Iraq, Pyongyang, Beijing, and even the notorious Al Qaeda does not at all mean that they can be equated. Exaggerations are typical of such documents. It was produced by intelligence and as one wise Englishman said, secrecy is a prelude to deception. But every trade has its own temptations.

This assessment is special only because it was made in the year of two presidential elections - in the United States and Russia. Vice Admiral McConnel (Ret.) had to do an uphill job. His department was set up in the wake of the shocking 9/11 attacks, and is responsible for coordinating intelligence operations of about 15 departments - from the CIA, FBI, National Security Agency, Air Force, Navy and Army to the Coast Guard and the Department of Energy, to name but a few. He had to exert a titanic effort in order to reduce to a common denominator the opinions of mismatched departments that hate one another.

His predecessor John Negroponte, the first Director of National Intelligence since its formation in 2005 was not very successful. He occupied this position for less than two years, and was sent back to the State Department by President Bush.

It is clear that the report mostly deals with political issues, and has nothing to do with secrets. It would be naive to expect any secrets to be revealed during the hearings. American propaganda has never been too elegant but this report is more exquisite than others.

In general, such reports are just another foreign policy instrument couched in a veil of an almost solved mystery. In real fact, all ideas, concerns, and alarms are not the revelations of intelligence but a direct reminder of what the United States accepts and what it does not want to tolerate. As a guide, they are quite useful.
=================================

OK!

Kyle

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World Press says Putin: Best Portrait in the World!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Saturday, February 09, 2008 :

Hello,

Seems to me that: Putin is the Man the World, Loves To Hate or Hates to Love!

========================================
News from Russia Today!

Putin’s portrait judged best in the world:
Time Magazine cover
February 8, 2008

Putin’s portrait judged best in the world
A photo of Putin that graced the cover of Time Magazine has won the prestigious World Press Photo award in the Best Portrait category.

The photo was taken by the British-born photographer known as Platon.
=========================================

Well Putin, you are becoming quite a celebrity!

Kyle

comments always welcome.

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Russia Is Right: OSCE Gave an Ultimatum!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Saturday, February 09, 2008 :

Countries in the OSCE in green

Election observers cancel mission to Russia

AFP, VIENNA
Saturday, Feb 09, 2008

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on Thursday canceled its observer missions for Russia's March 2 presidential election because of restrictions imposed by Moscow.

The OSCE election watchdog and its parliamentary assembly both said they would boycott the vote, which President Vladimir Putin's designated successor Dmitry Medvedev is virtually guaranteed to win.

Russia's opposition already alleges Putin is rigging the vote and the absence of Europe's main election monitoring body will cast further doubt on the legitimacy of the democratic process in Russia.

The OSCE presidency, currently held by Finland, regretted the decision, "despite constructive efforts on both sides." The chief of the body's monitoring division blamed "limitations imposed by Russia."

While Russia had invited the OSCE to come to Moscow, numerous restrictions rendered the invitation worthless, said Christian Strohal, head of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the OSCE polls division.

"We've been bending over backwards in order to find a way which would allow at least a limited observation activity," he said. "This was not possible, not because of us but because of restrictions and limitations imposed by Russia."

It was like being invited "to come through a door which is locked."

Russia, like all the OSCE's 56 members, is meant to invite monitors to assess whether elections are free and fair.

The boycott is a snub to Putin's government, already embroiled in a slew of conflicts with EU member states ranging from Kosovo's independence drive to NATO expansion and spying allegations.

The Russian foreign ministry called the boycott "unacceptable" and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was an "ultimatum."

"Self-respecting countries do not accept ultimatums," he said.

The EU presidency blamed the boycott on "restrictions contained in the invitation."

European External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner urged the Russian authorities "to make sure that these elections will be conducted in accordance with Russia's commitments as a member of the OSCE."

The White House gently reminded Moscow that the presence of the observers was not a black mark against Russia.

"It shouldn't be seen as a stigma ... We think Russia and all countries should feel open enough to allow observers into their country to keep an eye on elections," a spokesman told reporters.

Russia is frequently critical of the organization, accusing it of bias against countries of the former Soviet Union and calling for a major reform of the body.

=================================================

I am starting to think that the OSCE needs to go to America and observe their election process! Quit picking on Russia! The American election process is the one that is messed up!

Kyle

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Russia: NATO Has Failed: New Arms Race!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Friday, February 08, 2008 :

Hello,

Looks like the Bear is waking up.....
http://kylekeeton.com/2007/06/russia-wont-take
http://kylekeeton.com/2007/06/this-could-be-why-
http://kylekeeton.com/2007/07/putin-lays-law-do
http://kylekeeton.com/2007/09/russia-father-of-all-
http://kylekeeton.com/2007/11/russia-missiles-and-n
===============================
Russia's President Vladimir Putin says the world is engaged in a new arms race and Nato is failing

to accommodate Russia's concerns.

In an address to parliament, Mr Putin condemned Nato's expansion and the US plan to include Poland and the Czech Republic in a missile defense shield.

"It is already clear that a new phase in the arms race is unfolding in the world," Mr Putin said.

He said other countries were spending far more than Russia on new weapons.

But Russia would always respond to the challenges of a new arms race by developing more hi-tech weaponry, he said."

(for rest of article)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7234817.stm
=================================

Seems the world is starting to heat up in the politicized sense!....
=================================
New Europe, Old Russia

By Robert Kagan
Wednesday, February 6, 2008; A19

Russia and the European Union are neighbors geographically. But geopolitically they live in different centuries. A 21st-century European Union, with its noble ambition to transcend power politics and build an order based on laws and institutions, confronts a Russia that behaves like a traditional 19th-century power. Both are shaped by their histories. The supranational, legalistic E.U. spirit is a response to the conflicts of the 20th century, when nationalism and power politics twice destroyed the continent. But Vladimir Putin's Russia, as Ivan Krastev has noted, is driven in part by the perceived failure of "post-national politics" after the Soviet collapse. Europe's nightmares are the 1930s; Russia's nightmares are the 1990s. Europe sees the answer to its problems in transcending the nation-state and power. For Russians, the solution is in restoring them.

So what happens when a 21st-century entity faces the challenge of a 19th-century power? The contours of the conflict are already emerging -- in diplomatic stand-offs over Kosovo, Ukraine, Georgia and Estonia; in conflicts over gas and oil pipelines; in nasty diplomatic exchanges between Russia and Britain; and in a return to Russian military exercises of a kind not seen since the Cold War.

Europeans are apprehensive, with good reason. They bet, massively, in the 1990s on the primacy of geoeconomics over geopolitics, a new era in which a huge and productive European economy would compete as an equal with the United States and China. They cut back on defense budgets, calculating that soft power was in and that hard power was out. They imagined that the world would come to replicate the European Union, and that when it did, the European Union would be a postmodern superpower.

For a while, it seemed to work. With Russia prostrate, the magnetic attraction of Europe, along with the promise of the American security guarantee, pulled just about every nation in the east into the Western orbit. The appeal of what Robert Cooper called Europe's "voluntary empire" seemed without limit.

Today, however, European expansion has slowed and perhaps halted, and not just because Europeans balk at taking in Turkey. They also fear resurgent Russia. They realize that by enlarging eastward, Europe acquired a new Eastern problem. Or, rather, the old Eastern problem, the centuries-old contest between Russia and its near neighbors.

It wasn't a problem when Russia was weak and poor and eager to integrate itself into the West. But Russia is back on its feet, rich and resentful, seeking not to join Europe but to take a special path back to great-power status. Putin laments the fall of the Soviet Union and seeks to regain predominant influence in the Baltic states and Eastern Europe, as well as over Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and the rest of what Russians call their "near abroad." But the former are now formally part of Europe, and the latter are what Europeans call their "new neighborhood."

And so the nations of the European Union find themselves embroiled in a very 19th-century confrontation. After a decade of voluntary retreat, Russia now pushes back against Europe's powerful attractive force, using traditional levers of power. It has imposed a total embargo on trade with Georgia. It has episodically denied oil supplies to Lithuania, Latvia and Belarus; cut off gas supplies to Ukraine and Moldova; and punished Estonia with a suspension of rail traffic and a cyber-attack on its government's computer system in a dispute over a Soviet war memorial. It supports separatist movements in Georgia and keeps its own armed forces on Georgian territory and in Moldova. It has effectively pulled out of the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, freeing it to deploy forces wherever necessary on its western flank.

Polls show Europeans increasingly take a dim view of their large neighbor. French President Nicolas Sarkozy observed last year that "Russia is imposing its return on the world scene by playing its assets, notably oil and gas, with a certain brutality." Even the Finnish defense minister worries that "military force" has once again become a "key element" in how Russia "conducts its international relations."

But Europe may be institutionally and temperamentally ill-equipped to respond. Can it bring a knife to a knife fight?

It is not hard to imagine the tremors along the Euro-Russian fault line erupting into confrontation. A crisis over Ukraine, which wants to join NATO, could bring confrontation with Russia. Conflict between the Georgian government and Russian-supported separatist forces in Abkhazia and South Ossetia could spark a military conflict between Tbilisi and Moscow. What would Europe and the United States do if Russia played hardball in Ukraine or Georgia? They might well do nothing. Postmodern Europe can scarcely bring itself to contemplate a return to confrontation with a great power and will go to great lengths to avoid it. In the United States, any fundamental shift in policy toward Russia will have to wait for the next administration. Nevertheless, a Russian confrontation with Ukraine or Georgia would usher in a brand-new world, or perhaps a very old world. Many in the West still want to believe this is the era of geoeconomics. But as one Swedish analyst has noted, "We're in a new era of geopolitics. You can't pretend otherwise."
===========================================

Kyle

comments always welcome.

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Russian Honey Time!(Yummy)

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Friday, February 08, 2008 :

Hello,

In Moscow, the Honey exhibition is getting ready to start, located at the Manezh's Central Exhibition Center from Feb. 12 to 27. This is the 19th annual: All-Russia Honey Fest!

More than 400 of the best beekeepers from 61 Russian regions, will bring multiple types of honey, such as flower honey, sainfoin honey, rapeseed honey, buckwheat honey and meadow honey. They will all be available to taste and of course: buy.

The fair is organized by the Russian Union of Beekeepers and is an annual event! This photo from 2006 shows how important the event is to Russian people!

Honey and other beekeeping products have been used in Russia for centuries because of their apparent healing qualities. A whole market has grown up around this form of folk medicine, at the exhibition you will hear all sorts of claims, from back pain relief, headache relief & help grow your hair back.

This is a list of cures possible with Honey......

Honey, especially mixed with cinnamon, can cure a multitude of ailments.

Arthritis: is one disease that may be cured with honey. One part honey to two parts of lukewarm water and a teaspoon of cinnamon will make a paste that will noticeably reduce pain in a matter of a couple of minutes. People suffering from arthritis can take one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and a teaspoon of cinnamon once in the morning and again in the evening. It’s been said that taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.

Cholesterol: is said to be treatable with honey. Mix two tablespoons of honey and three tablespoons of cinnamon in 16 ounces of tea. This mixture is said to reduce the level of cholesterol by ten percent within a short amount of time. As with arthritis, it is said that pure honey taken with food daily will reduce cholesterol levels. Along the same lines, using cinnamon and honey on bread and eaten at breakfast revitalized the arteries and veins leading to the heart and helpful towards preventing heart attacks.

Hair Loss: A mixture of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon made into a paste may help baldness and hair loss. Apply the paste before your shower and leave it on for approximately five to fifteen minutes then wash the hair.

Relieve Gas: stomachaches and clears stomach ulcers at the root. If honey is taken before eating it helps digest even the heaviest of meals.

Colds: can be treated with honey. One tablespoon honey with ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon taken daily is said to cure most chronic coughs and clear the sinuses. You can also make up a mixture of honey, whiskey and lemon juice. If it doesn’t clear your cough, at least maybe you’ll sleep.

Pimples: can be removed within two weeks if this remedy is applied. Make a paste of three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon. Put the pimples on before going to bed and wash it off the next morning.

Weight Loss: Twice daily, once at night, and one in the morning ½ hour before breakfast drink a cup of boiled hot water with honey and cinnamon. It’s been said that even the most obese patient can lose weight and drinking this mixture doesn’t allow the fat to accumulate in the body.

Chronic Fatigue: can be helped by honey. One half tablespoon of honey in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon in the morning and in the afternoon will increase your vitality within a week.

Bad Breath: is said to be helpful if gargled in the morning. One teaspoon of honey and cinnamon mixed in hot water is supposed to keep breath fresh all day.

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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Deep Purple: Plays For Gazprom in Moscow!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Friday, February 08, 2008 :

Hello,

I found this on the wire! Now that is a farewell gift, Deep Purple. That was one of my favorite bands back in the old days!

=================================
Reuters

Deep Purple is heading to Moscow as a farewell gift to First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, the chairman of state-controlled gas giant Gazprom and a virtual lock to become the country’s next president.

Medvedev has said Deep Purple, known for hits such as “Smoke on the Water,” is his favorite band.

The rock group will perform at a show Gazprom is putting on at the Kremlin on Monday to mark the 15th anniversary of the firm’s creation, industry sources said.

Both Medvedev and President Vladimir Putin are expected at the party. The British band’s management declined to comment.

Medvedev and 70 other political figures and businessmen brought Deep Purple’s former lead singer, Joe Lynn Turner, to Moscow last year for a secret concert.

Putin has all but guaranteed Medvedev’s victory in the March 2 presidential election after publicly endorsing him.

Putin is known to enjoy patriotic Russian pop songs. It was not clear if the concert lineup would have anything to suit his tastes.

If Medvedev becomes president, he will resign as Gazprom chairman. Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov is expected to take over the job in June.

Gazprom, the country’s most valuable firm by market capitalization and one of the world’s top 10, is enjoying record profits because of high global energy prices.

Moscow is rated one of the most expensive cities in the world, and wealthy entrepreneurs spend millions annually flying in celebrities for celebrations.
==================================

Wow!

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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Russia: Kiss Me Off The Record!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Friday, February 08, 2008 :

Hello,

I was given this Link by Matt who owns a blog titled: Working Abroad!

It is about a movie coming out on DVD only and it resembles the life and times of President Vladimir Putin, It states clearly that this is a fictional movie.

Moscow Times says:
"She is a former air hostess; he is a fair-haired St Petersburg-born politician with a secret past and a thorough knowledge of German. Their love affair is depicted in a new film, "Kiss Me Off the Record," which will be released on DVD on St. Valentine's Day.

Despite the familiar-sounding characters, the film's makers claim that its hero is not Russian President Vladimir Putin, but a fictional Russian politician named Alexander Platov."

We think that this may be a good movie and are looking forward to watching it. I just hope it has English subtitles! :) The statement has been said that it is on DVD only, because they want whole families to be able to watch this film together at home. Most families do not go all together to the movies?

Russians have strong feelings about Putin & most think that he is doing a good job, Russians also feel that he is a good Husband and Father!

So we will see what this film is about & we will get back to everyone with what we see.

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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Russia: Tale Of The Fox & Crow!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Thursday, February 07, 2008 :

Hello,

There is a fairy tale from my childhood that evidently Russians know about also!

The Fox & the Crow!

In a dairy a crow,
Having ventured to go,
Some food for her young ones to seek,
Flew up in the trees,
With a fine piece of cheese,
Which she joyfully held in her beak.

A fox, who lived by,
To the tree saw her fly,
And to share in the prize made a vow;
For having just dined,
He for cheese felt inclined,
So he went and sat under the bough.

She was cunning, he knew,
But so was he too,
And with flattery adapted his plan;
For he knew if she'd speak,
It must fall from her beak,
So, bowing politely, began.

"'T is a very fine day"
(Not a word did she say):
"The wind, I believe, ma'am, is south;
A fine harvest for peas:"
He then looked at the cheese,
But the crow did not open her mouth.

Sly Reyard, not tired,
Her plumage admired,
"How charming! how brilliant its hue!
The voice must be fine,
Of a bird so divine,
Ah, let me just hear it, pray do.

"Believe me, I long
To hear a sweet song!"
The silly crow foolishly tries:
She scarce gave one squall,
When the cheese she let fall,
And the fox ran away with the prize.

Moral
Ye innocent fair,
Of coxcombs beware,
To flattery never give ear;
Try well each pretense,
And keep to plain sense,
And then you have little to fear.

===========================

Moral: DO NOT TRUST FLATTERERS

=================================
Statue Has Its Cheese Returned
The Moscow Times

Vladimir Filonov / MT
The piece of cheese back in the arms of the fox and crow on Wednesday.

A 200-kilogram bronze block of cheese is back in its rightful place less than a week after vandals removed it from a statue in the north of Moscow.

The item, in the shape of the famous processed cheese Druzhba, or friendship, complete with bar code, was stolen from the arms of a giant statue of a Fox and a Crow on Jan. 30, local media reported.

The statue, located on Ulitsa Rustaveli, opposite the Karat factory that makes Druzhba cheese, represents an ancient Greek fable about a fox who cons a crow into dropping her cheese by flattering her. Instead of arguing, however, the two figures in the statue are portrayed in an embrace.

The statue was commissioned at a cost of $500,000 by the factory in 2005, Vechernaya Moskva reported.

A reward of 100,000 rubles, or about $4,000, had been offered for the return of the piece, but it was ultimately found not far from the statue.

"It looks like the kidnappers couldn't carry something so heavy and hid it in a large snowdrift," a source at the factory said, the newspaper reported.
==================================

Moral: DO NOT TRY TO CARRY HEAVY CHEESE

==================================

By the way 200 kg is about 441 pounds,
This is why I like Russia, You never know what someone is going to do!

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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Why Would Anyone: Bring Ammunition into Russia?

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Thursday, February 07, 2008 :

In this day & age: I would think that people would learn to obey the laws!

These are the facts:
===================================
A Pastor from the USA is being held in a detention cell in Sheremetyevo Airport after trying to bring a box of ammunition into the country. A court will consider Friday whether to charge Phillip

Miles, a pastor of the Christ Community Church in Conway, South Carolina, with smuggling.

If charged and convicted, Miles faces a possible fine or prison sentence. Miles, 57, arrived at Sheremetyevo Airport on Jan. 29 with a single box of rifle rounds in his suitcase. Miles was headed for Perm, and the bullets were a gift for a pastor there, who was a hunting enthusiast.

This was Miles 9th trip to Russia.... (I would ask how many more boxes of Ammunition he has brought over?)

Airport officials have accused Miles of failing to declare the ammunition as required by law and confiscated the box, he was then allowed to continue on to Perm on condition he answer further questions when he returned for a flight to the United States. Miles arrived back at Sheremetyevo on Sunday and at that point was detained. He is being kept in a holding cell at the airport & Miles is under investigation by Russian authorities on suspicion of smuggling!
===================================

I would like to express to people traveling, there is a right & wrong way to cross other countries borders! Every country has its laws on what you can & can not bring......

Having a box of undeclared ammunition is not the correct way to enter a new country! Actually having a box of ammunition in your suitcase at all is not showing much in the way of intelligence.

You will be caught sooner or later.....
=============================================
(Link to another article about Miles.) This is an update link about Miles. The ammunition was rifle cartridges! Looks like he thought no one would check his things and tried to slip one by the Russians for a friend! I hope that he learned his lesson, lets hope he gets out with out too many problems......
=============================================
(Another update about Miles) From the Moscow Times sent by Miles Son in America!

Editor,
My father is Phillip Miles, the pastor being held in the Sheremetyevo Airport detention cell for bringing a gift of bullets to another pastor in Russia.
Our family loves Russia. In addition to my father, my grandfather has worked in Russia to help the country for the past 14 years.
We all come up with crazy ideas for a gift. Please forgive my father for his mistake. Phillip is really a great man and I do respect whatever decision the Russian authorities choose regarding his case.
May God continue to bless Russia and its people.

Justin Miles
Conway, South Carolina
============================================

Kyle & Svet

PS: UPDATE LINK
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-update-on-pastor-phillip-miles.html

comments always welcome.

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Russia: "Northern Territories" The Four Japanese Islands!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Thursday, February 07, 2008 :

Top photo all disputed Islands by Japan: Bottom photo section called "Northern Territories" disputed by Russia and Japan!

Hello,

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee and thinking about Putin offering talks over the disputed Islands at the North End of Japan.

Japan has territorial issues with three of its neighbors. Each and every instance seems impossible, and each is a major issue in Japan’s relations with those neighbors. North of Hokkaido, Japan claims the four islands that it calls the ‘Northern Territories’. To Japan’s northwest is Takeshima, claimed by the South Koreans. West of Japan is the Senkakus, which China claims.

The set of Islands I am going to talk about is the "Northern Territories"

How did these islands become Russia's? (Glad you asked!)

The dispute is a direct result of the Second World War. When Japan surrendered, Soviet troops had island-hopped their way down the Kurils, preparing to invade Hokkaido. Stalin announced that the Kurils and the southern half of Sakhalin Island would be in Soviet hands.

Then at the Treaty of San Francisco of 1951, the document that attempted to tie up the loose ends of Japan’s Greater East Asia War, the islands were incorporated into the USSR. The treaty included: “Japan renounces all right, title and claim to the Kurile Islands, and to that portion of Sakhalin and the islands adjacent to it over which Japan acquired sovereignty as a consequence of the Treaty of Portsmouth of 5 September 1905.”

However, the Soviet Union attended but did not sign the treaty, so their incorporation was subject to dispute. Furthermore, the USSR (or later, Russia) did not sign any formal settlement treaty with Japan so the issue persists.

Now Putin has inquired about meeting to discuss getting this issue solved. Both sides have claims to the Islands:

What are the Claims? (Glad you asked!)

For Russia, the matter is fairly straightforward: Territory. The international system does not take to territorial disputes very well as the status quo is nearly always favored. With the territory, Russia has secured military outposts and fishing villages, as well as a further projection into the Pacific. Alongside this is the issue of pride and prestige, both of which will be hit by a relinquishing of the islands.

For Japan, the stakes are more cultural. They were settled by Japanese families and according to Buddhist tradition, their graves remain there, difficult to reach during times of remembrance, such as O-bon. They offer fishing stocks for the fisherman of Hokkaido and would offer more open passage to the Pacific from the opposite side of Hokkaido. The historical claims blend into the political one, and the continuing occupation of the islands by the Russians is an open wound in Japan’s pride and between their relations. Japan wants its borders to reach Urup, as they used to be.

Seems to what I have read: The islands were Japan’s since the Meiji Restoration and remained so until the Soviets took them by force....

The time has come for the countries to make headway on their peace agreement, and that cannot be done until the dispute is settled!

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

(Read Putin Article: Click Read More!)
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TOKYO (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered new talks to resolve the fate of four rocky islands seized from Japan in the closing days of World War Two, prompting Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda to consider a visit to Moscow.

Fukuda said he had received a letter in which Putin had expressed his willingness to end the territorial dispute, which has prevented the two countries signing a peace deal in the six decades since the war ended.

"Resolving the Northern Territories issue and concluding a peace treaty is essential to lift Russo-Japanese ties to higher levels," Fukuda told a packed hall in Tokyo to mark Northern Territories Day, an annual rally to remember the loss of the islands.

Scores of riot police used buses and gates to block off the Russian embassy in Tokyo on Thursday as dozens of right-wing campaigners cruised the streets in loudspeaker vans blaring nationalist music and chanting slogans calling for the return of the islands.

Despite the long-standing row, the two countries have been trying to expand ties. Russia is keen for funds to develop its far eastern regions, while Japan is eager to tap Russia's booming oil industry to reduce its reliance on Middle Eastern energy.

The sparsely populated islands in dispute are in the Kuril chain between Japan's northern island of Hokkaido and Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, with the closest just 15 km (9 miles) from Hokkaido.

They were seized by the Soviet Union after it declared war on Japan on August 8, 1945, just a week before Japan surrendered, sending about 17,000 Japanese fleeing.

Fukuda, who took office in September, is considering visiting Moscow in late April or early May for talks with Putin, Japanese Foreign Ministry sources said.

"I now realize well that the president wants to resolve the territorial issue," Fukuda told reporters late on Wednesday. "I would like to proactively work on that."

Japanese Foreign Ministry sources said Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura might visit Moscow in March to prepare the way for a leaders' summit.

Moscow had unofficially told Tokyo that Putin wanted to meet Fukuda before leaving office in early May, the sources said.

Putin will step down as president in May, after hitting a constitutional limit of two terms in office, but has made clear he intends to keep political influence by becoming prime minister after he leaves the Kremlin.

"Perhaps, one of the main reasons why Putin wants to hold talks with Prime Minister Fukuda is that he wants to demonstrate he will remain a powerful figure," one source told Reuters.

Although the police presence was heightened in Tokyo on Thursday, dozens of police are stationed around the Russian embassy at all times, poised to block the road with buses and gates at a moment's notice as nationalist activists regularly seek to drive up to the embassy with loudspeaker vans blaring.
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2008 Chinese, Year Of The Rat!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Wednesday, February 06, 2008 :

Hello,

This is the Eve of Chinese New Year today! Thank our friend Mazlin for reminding us about this holiday! Really, that is not public holiday in Russia (at least in European part of Russia). But Radio and TV news tell us about this. Russians always know about their Zodiac Sign and Chinese Animal of their birth-year. Maybe because we consider Russia a country in the middle between West and East, people in Russia respect both Eastern and Western horoscopes. Even Russian astrologist admit Oriental horoscopes. My friend who was studying in Academy of Astrology asked his professor what means Oriental Signs - Animals. And the professor told that is very easy: Oriental circle is 12 years and that is circle of Jupiter and Jupiter responsible for relationships a person with society... So if you still do not know your birth-year Animal, you can find out right here:

CHINESE CALCULATOR OF ANIMALS

When you find out who you are, here is very interesting Horoscope about you! LINK

For this holiday we found for you very beautiful Chinese video. This is a video of 21 members of the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe performing the Thousand-hand Bodhisattva dance; the members are all deaf. So let's watch:

As for us, we do not need to know your birthday year, to tell you that: You (our readers) are the most intelligent, attentive, loyal, wonderful, beautiful & excellent people - just best of all!

And all of you will have a lot of Good Luck and all what you want this year of Rat!

Happy New Year!
Svet and Kyle

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Moscow Metro: Part 2

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 05, 2008 :

(Old Metro design photo & First Metro Map)

Hello,

The last Metro article (Part 1) was the statistics of the Moscow Metro! This article is the historical side of the Moscow Metro!
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The stations of Moscow's subway system have often been called "the people's palaces", for their elegant designs and lavish and profuse use of marble, mosaics, sculptures and chandeliers. Built during Stalin's rule, these metro stations were supposed to display the best of Soviet architecture and design and show how privileged the lifestyle of the Russian people was......(yes there is more)

Although plans proposing the construction of an underground train system in Moscow were drawn up in 1902 and again in 1912, the outbreak of WWI, and later the revolution, delayed the start of the project for many years. The first line, the Sokolnicheskaya Line, was tunneled and built mainly by forced laborers and was finally and ceremoniously inaugurated on 15th May 1935, boasting just 13 stations.

Up until 1955 the metro was named after Lazar Kaganovich, one of Stalin's most trusted advisors and an instrumental figure in the construction of the metro, but the system was renamed the V. I. Lenin Moscow Metropolitan Railway.

During WWII the city's metro stations were used as air-raid shelters and many of the larger stations were used for important political and tactical meetings. During the war the Chistiye Prudy station was used as the nerve center for Supreme Command HQ and the Soviet Army General Staff.

Mayakovskaya, one of the largest stations on the Gorkovsk-Zamoskvoretskaya Line, was used as a command post for the city's anti-aircraft batteries and on 6th November 1941, hosted an underground ceremony to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the October Revolution, for which a podium with a bust of Lenin, surrounded by banners, was set up in its main hall, trains were stopped at its platforms and buffets arranged within them and hundreds of seats brought into the station to accommodate the invited Party members.

Those wanting to glimpse the best interiors that the Moscow Metro has to offer should take a look at some of the stations mentioned below.

Station Kropotkinskaya (known until 1957 as "Palace of Soviets") stands on the first line to have been inaugurated in 1935 and was designed and decorated by the architect Dushkin. Built to serve visitors to the proposed new Palace of Soviets, the station's columns and walls are faced with marble taken from the demolished Cathedral of Christ the Savior, for whose nearby site the new Palace was planned. The ends of the station's supporting columns are carved into five pointed Soviet stars and the station's interior is more akin to an underground palace than a functioning station.

The Dushkin-designed Ploschad Revolutsii Station was opened on 13th March 1938 and abounds with bronze figures of the creators of the new socialist order, nestled into niches between the station's broad columns. The sculptor Manizer created a total of 76 magnificent statues of soldiers, workers and collective farm workers, as well as a heroic sculpture of the soldiers and sailors who defended the Young Soviet order, placed at the top of the station escalator.

The next line to be opened was the Gorkovsk-Zamoskvoretskaya Line, in which the Dushkin-designed Mayakovskaya Station is by far the most architecturally impressive. The station features glistening chrome columns and soaring vaults adorned with mosaic panels depicting "A Day in the Land of Soviets", designed by the artist Deineka. Coming from the escalator commuters first see happy Soviet workers rising with the dawn, combining happily in the fields and toiling in the factories before returning to their beds as the sun sets in the last panel.

In the midst of WWII on 20th November 1943, Novokusnetskaya Station was opened as a show of continued Soviet strength despite the raging armed struggle being fought by the country. The station was designed by Baranov and Bykov and patriotically decorated with heroes from Russian history, including the great Russian military commanders Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Donskoy, Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, Alexander Suvorov and Prince Kutuzov. The station's mosaic decorations were designed by Deineka and created during the siege of Leningrad by the craftsman Frolov and later brought to Moscow. The marvelous marble benches that adorn the station platforms were taken from the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, just before it was demolished.

In the 1950s probably the most luxurious station on the Circle line was opened - Komsomolskaya, designed by the architect of the Leningradsky Station, Shchusev. A veritable palace to the might of the Russian army, the station's ceiling is adorned with mosaic panels designed by Korin and depicting the country's great military leaders from Alexander Nevsky and the 14th century Dmitry Donskoy to the famed Alexander Suvorov and Prince Kutuzov, the great Russian hero of the Napoleonic Wars. The mosaic panels were created using ancient Byzantine techniques and include in them tiny squares of colored glass, marble and even granite. One of the station's original panels, entitled "Handing over the Guards' Banner", featured Stalin holding a banner, while an officer kneels and kisses it. After the 20th Party Congress, in which Krushchev denounced Stalin, the mosaic panel was removed and another featuring "Lenin's Speech to the Red Guards before Their Journey to the Front" was put in its place.

In January 1952 Novoslobodskaya Station was opened. Designed by the architects Dushkin and Strelkov, the station is perhaps the brightest and most ornate station on the Moscow underground and features beautiful stained-glass windows crafted in Riga and a stunning mosaic panel entitled "Peace Throughout the World" by the famed Korin.

We also recommend you take a peek inside Arbatskaya, Belorusskaya, Kievskaya and Park Kultury to gaze at the mosaics, chandeliers, marble columns and stunning stucco-covered ceilings. ===========================================

So this article that I found summed up the Metro history very good. The Metro has very unique history, One of the busiest Metros in the world. (may be the busiest) & is the most beautiful metro in the world.

Part 3 will show the beauty of the Moscow Metro! There is nothing like it, they are really palaces below ground. :)

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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Kiev: Cave Monasteries! (Pechersk Lavra)

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 05, 2008 :

Hello,

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee and thing about the Cave Monasteries of Kiev! We had posted an article about the Monastery a while back. (LINK)

Picture 1: shows the entrance to the cave.
Picture 2: No flash, candle light only, to preserve the remains.
Picture 3: These hung every where.

The Cave Monastery in Kiev is one of the oldest monasteries in Europe, it was built more than a thousand years ago over a bunch of hand dug caves that run under the hillside that is now Kiev. It was reported years ago that the caves where so long that they extended all the way to Moscow? (that is a lot of digging)

"Foreign travelers in the 16-17th centuries had written that the catacombs of the Lavra stretched for hundreds of kilometers, reaching as far as Moscow and Novgorod. Which had apparently brought about to the knowledge of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra around the world."

In the narrow caves, one can see 123 saints that are mummified by the air composition and humidity, with the visible saints resting in glass coffins. There are also unique pictures drawn on the walls of the caves, painted by the monks some of which are almost 900 years old.

Interesting fact: During World War II, it was ordered by the Nazi Germans, that the bodies of the saints be exhumed and thrown into the Dnipro river. On loading the glass coffins, the first truck failed to start, so the coffins were taken to a second truck, which in turn also failed to start. It was reported that at this point the German guards allowed the coffins to be returned to the safety of the catacombs thinking there was some act of god at work. I think that if I was one of the guards I would have returned the coffins also! :)

Have a nice day from Russia!

Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

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Russian News: February 5th, 2008!

By: Kyle and Svet Keeton : Tuesday, February 05, 2008 :

RBC, LUKoil Group's daily hydrocarbon production increased 1.7 percent to 2.181m barrels of oil

equivalent in 2007 compared to a year earlier, the Russian oil company's press office reported. Oil output stood at 1.959m barrels per day, a 1.6 percent rise from 2006, with total oil production amounting to 96.464m tonnes in 2007, 1.5 percent above the previous year. LUKoil Group's saleable natural gas production increased 2.5 percent to 13.955bn cubic meters in 2007. The company attributes the slowdown in its production growth to the sale of a 50-percent stake in Caspian Investments (formerly, Nelson Resources), a company operating in hydrocarbon exploration and production in Kazakhstan, in late April 2007. Moreover, a considerable decline in gas supplies to Gazprom due to an unusually warm winter in 2006-2007 is said to have weighed on the figures as well.

RBC, Commenting on media reports of an alleged merger between Norilsk Nickel and United Company RUSAL, the Russian nickel producer's General Director Denis Morozov argued today that Norilsk Nickel's management had not received any offers from UC RUSAL for the two companies to merge. Morozov was unable to estimate the synergetic effect of such a merger, noting that he needed to know UC RUSAL's value to do so. Meanwhile, Morozov announced that UC RUSAL was projected to close the deal on the purchase of a blocking stake in Norilsk Nickel by the end of the month.....(More News)

RBC, The Russian stock market's trend will be defined by the US Federal Reserve's commentaries expected to be released this week, experts told RBC TV, adding that the news background remained intense, with emotions running high on the market. If the Russian market is to regain footing and continue to climb steadily, Norilsk Nickel is said to become one of the highest gainers, since the security is currently at appealing levels. Although the Russian market may appear to be better than other countries' exchanges, analysts doubt that it can withstand the overall global trend, which is currently looking down. As of 3 p.m., the MICEX index was up 2.39 percent at 1,679.72 points, and the RTS index up 2.11 percent at 2,010.59 points.

RBC, The Moscow City Court has upheld the ruling of the lower Savyolovsky Court of Moscow to sentence Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky in his absence to six years in prison for the embezzlement of the Russian air carrier Aeroflot's funds. As a result, the court dismissed the defendant's appeal to recall the Savyolovsky Court's sentence and stop criminal proceedings against Berezovsky. The state-appointed lawyer for Boris Berezovsky noted that he would not appeal the Moscow Court's ruling, as he was no longer authorized to do so, adding that he found the decision and the charges to be absurd.

RBC, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin believes that the dollar to ruble rate will be sinking in the coming half a year or even a year, he told Channel One. In a long term perspective of more than a year, the dollar is equally likely to fall and to rise, the Minister said. Kudrin stressed that the dollar's fall has allowed for a recovery of the US economy in recent years, as the US administration has been consciously letting the dollar weaken to support domestic producers. The US budget deficit has been shrinking recently, Kudrin noted.

RBC, The Central Bank of Russia is raising its discount rate from 10 to 10.25 percent to stem inflation and hold down the dynamics of the money supply. In addition, the Bank of Russia is changing the interest rates on operations it conducts and legal reserve requirements. This is the first time that the Bank of Russia has raised