[imported_Fluffy_Bunny]

WTF is going on in russia? Putins locked up or killed a leading businessman and another guy who was going to run against him in elections had to flee to the UK. Now he's dismissed his entire government wtf. eek:

Russian government dismissed

Dismissing his government during a live television broadcast, President Vladimir Putin has surprised both Russia and the international community.

Critics suggest that this is a pre-emptive strike designed to allow Putin to consolidate his overwhelming grip on power by installing a group of hardline loyalists ahead of the March presidential election.

Although the fall of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has been widely predicted, the timing of his dismissal - along with that of his cabinet - a few weeks before the presidential election was unexpected.

Kasyanov has been an uncharismatic figure throughout his four years in office and his political reliability has been questioned since he publicly expressed his concerns in December about the political implications of the arrest of top businessmen such as Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former boss of oil giant Yukos. JID sources in Moscow also suggest that Putin is keen to pass the blame for recent suicide bomb attacks in Russia including the incident on the Moscow metro earlier this month that left 41 dead to the outgoing government ahead of the presidential election.

The administration that is expected to be installed following the election is likely to be dominated by Soviet-era KGB and security service officials close to the president.

[Merlin122]

ed: thats crazy

[TonyMontana]

holy shit, soviet-era KGB

[Short Hand]

This would be a sad day for Russia if it fell back into the hands a Unjust Government.

[BlackJackal]

no doubt.

[Maplegyver]

w007!

[Pick Axe]

It would be terrible. Not just for Russia either. annoy:

[ninty]

Wasn't putin democratically elected after yeltsin left office? I know he took over the party for yeltsin, but I had thought the he was voted in, in an election. Anyway thats fucked up. I thought he was a normal political leader for Russia. Hes had many dealings with western countries and if he starts fucking around like this, hes going to get into some deep water.

[Eames]

The USSR denies all of these wild allegations!

Uh...the USSR? I thought you guys broke up??!!

Thats what we wanted you to think!!!

(Lenin arises) Must crush capitolism!!!!

[Bean 2]

What are those crazy Russians up to now?

uh, I am somewhat more in the know about this situation than the rest of you (being able to speak Russian gives me more sources of intel).
the 411 on this situation is: this Yukas oil company only owns the equipment to drill and transport oil, the fields were never purchased from the government, yet they don't pay rent on the oil fields. Now they are planning to sell their company to an American one, that way they can trade an illegal operation for real money through a legal sale.

What would our government do if Halliburton started drilling in a Federally owned land and didn't pay the Feds one red cent for it? I think they would meet a few guys in black suits; then they would meet Bubba in the federal pen.


While I am admittedly not up to speed with the recent developments, I do know the oil company situation relatively well. This situation has surprised me quit a bit, since Putin is the popular candidate and his chances of re-election are nearly certain.

[SW-14]

[quote="Cpl. Eames":b0c1a]The USSR denies all of these wild allegations!

Uh...the USSR? I thought you guys broke up??!!

Thats what we wanted you to think!!!

(Lenin arises) Must crush capitolism!!!![/quote:b0c1a]

That was in the Simpsons, wasn't it?

[geRV]

[quote="SW-14":0c4bc][quote="Cpl. Eames":0c4bc]The USSR denies all of these wild allegations!

Uh...the USSR? I thought you guys broke up??!!

Thats what we wanted you to think!!!

(Lenin arises) Must crush capitolism!!!![/quote:0c4bc]

That was in the Simpsons, wasn't it?[/quote:0c4bc]

Yep, think the line was soviet union and not ussr though.