There are lots of reasons to doubt yesterday’s sensational claims by Andrei
Lugovoy, the Russian accused of murdering Alexander Litvinenko, that it was
in fact the British Government wot did it.
He’s a KGB officer, for starters. That’s the kind of job that doesn’t tend to
encourage or reward guileless declarations of unimpeachable fact before the
television cameras. Then there’s the problem that Mr Lugovoy’s case isn’t
helped by the lack of any supporting evidence of British government
involvement, nor by the awkward fact of the long trail of polonium-210 that
seemed to follow his own movements across Europe in the days surrounding
Litvinenko’s murder.
But the biggest reason for suspicion is that, if what he said is true it would
mark a wholly implausible reversal of fortunes in the decades–long struggle
for supremacy between Russian and Western intelligence agencies.
The truth is that we in the West may have won the Cold War but when it came to
the intelligence battle, we came in a distant second. The Litvinenko affair
– a hit job carried out with evident impunity by Russian agents on foreign
soil – is a sorry reminder of how overmatched we were in the Cold War in the
spy business.
Other than Olympic shot-putters chemically propelled to athletic excellence by
a dehumanising regime desperate for some ersatz legitimacy, intelligence was
about the only thing the Russians did really well. They may not have been
able to make the trains run on time or increase wheat production in Moldova,
but by golly they knew how to eavesdrop, wiretap, blackmail and bribe their
way into the most sensitive of the West’s inner sanctums.
Consider a Cold War balance sheet. They bumped off Soviet defectors at will
and almost killed the Pope. We had a cunning plan to explode cigars in Fidel
Castro’s beard.
They had Philby, Burgess, MacLean, Blunt and just about every clever
undergraduate at Cambridge who ever responded warmly to any man who sidled
up to them over a late-night sherry. We had a few brave but terrorised
dissidents who invariably ended up in the Lubyanka or Siberia.
We gave them our atomic secrets so they could build the weapon that saved
their regime – at least for 40 years. They gave us lectures at the UN about
human freedom.
Not that they always got it right. There’s a nice story about a French
diplomat, caught in flagrante delicto with a couple of Soviet beauties, who
received the customary incriminating photographs readied for copying to his
wife back in Paris along with a letter inviting him to cooperate.
Go ahead, he told them. I haven’t lived with my wife for 20 years and I can’t
wait to see her face when she gets a look at the new me.
But cock-ups, as it were, like that were rare in Soviet Russia. And since the
Cold War ended the story hasn’t changed much.
Our intelligence agencies have developed an unhappy knack of uncovering
threats where there are none and failing to find them where they are. They
didn’t really spot the terror of al-Qaeda until it was way too late. They
told us in 1991 that Iraq was nowhere close to developing nuclear weapons
when, it turned out, they were on the very brink. Then they told us in 2003
that Iraq might be on the very brink of developing nuclear weapons when it
turned out they were nowhere close.
None of this is to speak too harshly of the efforts of MI5, MI6 or the CIA. It
is merely a reflection of the asymmetric struggle between intelligence
agencies in democratic and totalitarian societies. Penetrating regimes that
are run on a premise of domestic terror requires really painstaking and
risk-laden effort. Finding out what goes on in open democracies? Not so much.
The Lugovoy-Litvinenko saga underscores the fact that this basic imbalance has
not changed in the 16 years since we won the Cold War. We remain,
paradoxically, the victim of our own freedoms, which they exploit ruthlessly
– including, as yesterday, leading along a fabulously credulous media. They
remain, paradoxically, secure in their own paranoia and insecurity.
It’s partly why I think Vladimir Putin is so nostalgic for another Cold War.
He worked for the KGB, remember, and in hard intelligence terms those were
heady days for their side. That we have entered another troubling phase in
our relations with Russia is not in doubt.
We may not have to fear the dawn of another nuclear winter – at least not one
that rises over the Urals. But there’s a troubling boldness now about
Russia. A divided and somewhat demoralised West has left Moscow feeling
confident enough to try it on – knocking off its critics in London; taking
out large chunks of Estonia’s cyberspace; bullying Czechs and Poles into
submission over their plans for a US defensive system; tightening its
stranglehold on gas and oil supplies for an energy-starved Europe;
sabre-rattling on behalf of its nice friends in Serbia again.
We on our side need to be bold too. We may not be able to beat them at their
intelligence games but we need to show some more of the backbone that won
the Cold War. There have been times in the past few years when, distracted
by events in the Middle East or worried about our loss of economic and
political power in a rapidly changing world, we have been distracted from
the challenge.
There are now encouraging signs from unlikely places. In Angela Merkel and
Nicolas Sarkozy, the two traditional powers of continental Western Europe
actually now have two “eastern European” heads of government, as they have
been called. Mrs Merkel is a former inmate of the Soviet prison camp called
East Germany; Mr Sarkozy is the son of a Hungarian refugee. Both are
directly and painfully familiar with the Cold War days for which Mr Putin
evidently hankers. They will be emboldened by increasingly alarmed Eastern
European members of Nato and the European Union. With increasing British
estrangement from Moscow, and a US Administration steadily grasping the
challenges, we can look for ways to push back.
But it probably won’t be done by our spies. As for those claims by Mr Lugovoy
that British intelligence is actively trying to destabilise the Russian
President, I sincerely hope they are true. But if I were him, I wouldn’t be
losing any sleep.
KGB wouldn’t kill with POLONIUM because it means double insult for UK. Why? I don’t think official Russia wanted to worsen its relationships with Britain. Can you tell me any reason to do it?
Igor, Krsk, Russia
Anti semitism – shit! If the modern Russia is an anti -semitic country, as it was mentioned here, how come Berezovskiy could occupy such high post in the government? There is no nationality column in Russian passports as it was in soviet passports before. The attempt of Vlad to divide Jews and Russians is his subjective business, in reality there is no national separation. Russians, Ukranians, Jews etc.always lived side by side to each other, they always were friends and I am sure they will be.
To Simon with 40 yr experience of living in USSR: Rest your mind, dear …If there are at least some, as you told «microscopical» changes in mind of former USSR people , in your mind there is nothing changed. Your mind is conserved. No matter if you want this or not, believe this or not but the life in Russia is absolutely new.
Margarita, Moscow, Russia
The west only won the cold war because the Russians ran out of money and evryone was starving. No food in the shops and inflation out of control. The Russians then invited the West to help them exploit their natural resources and now the money is rolling into their econony they then kick out the big oil companies and go back to their good old days. The Cold War never ended ! It was just a lull. Their is a simple message for the West. Get on and develop alternative means of energy and reduce the Wests dependency on Russia and the Middle East.
Tim, Longford, Ireland
Based on this article and reviews the only hankering of Cold War seems to be coming from the West. Some old ex-Russian spy died from radiation poisoning, NATO expanding to former Soviet bloc, fugitives claiming political asylum. Kind of sound like the 70's. I seriuosly doubt Putin plotted all this, but we need to blame the Russians anyways, they're evil as always. Remember the next lunar or solar eclipse is also the doing of Russian spies.
paul, portland, oregon, usa
u say "As for those claims by Mr Lugovoy that British intelligence is actively trying to destabilise the Russian President, I sincerely hope they are true."
I think people who feel that they have the right people and the policies of another State, to be imprisoned in the jail as terrorists because of their similarities.
Alexey, Samara, Russia
Relations between Europe and Russia, especially with France
and Germany, have never been better. Even UK business
investment into Russia are at record high, growing year by year.
The cold war terminology in the article about the "WEST" etc is amusing.
Nobody in Europe is using these dated concepts anymore, apart from
a few US client states. Propaganda in the article, is one of the reasons
Britain and US so unpopular in the modern Europe and
the World as a whole.
DLM, Lion, France
Vlad from Dnepropetrovsk,
In the Western tradition your nationality is determined by your country or origin, not your religious practices. So that makes Mr Berezovsky Russian. Sounds like a typical Ukrainian response.."It is all fault of the Jews.."
Ed, Los Angeles, California, USA
Yes DS I suppose you would trust the Russians these days - such is the naivety of Australians. I spent 25 years struggling against the likes of Lugovoy and the thugs of the old communist system so that you can mouth off.
Russia today is still under the grip of the old guard fronted by youndg Mr Putin - once KGB, always KGB. Da!
John Miller, Loch, Victoria, Australia
I admit that I have very little experience with intelligence.
Dan, Manawa, Iowa
I see lots of people blamed me for anti-Semitism. I don’t see the reason what it was done for. Because I said that majority of ‘newcomers’ to GB are Jews not Russians and Jewish community has influence in GB? Ok, call me as you want. I see you can hate Russians and it looks like a sign of good taste.
“Kostya from Kiev” you sound like a man who is looking for a financial grant from the U.S. Stop reading too much biased western articles or keep going and you’ll get your green card for sure.
P.S. People of GB! Berezovsky and his friend Goldfarb are masterful at cheating. If you want to be led by their lie do it. Sorry. Bye.
Vlad, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine
Thanks Gerard for your little piece of ficticious humour. Don't you know that only when you feel the cold wind blowing that the Russians are really coming!
Based on the British and American lies in Iraq, I'm much more inclined to believe Russia these days.
DS, Darwin, Australia
There is one nation in the Middle East that has carried out assassinations in neighbouring countries and Europe causing scarcely a ripple. Sometimes such acts even attract the evident admiration of writers and film makers.
Colin, , Kingston,
Apart from some improvements in economic life (which by the way is a distinct feature for all post Soviet countries in this area) there are some highly disturbing social tendencies in Russia, such as the virtual absence of free elections, freedom of press, muzzling of social institutions and more aggressive and highly nationalistic policy aimed at the bullying of neighboring states, and widespread killings of non Europeans by so called skinheads groups( with conniving or as it looks like actual support of Government officials, who may attempt to use these crimes in political purposes).
Again if this is the indispensable part of new order in Russia – it certainly gives reasons for concerns. Such state of social order could hardly please any Western man, and I am certain a government who is building this kind of order will never be able to become a trusted friend of modern Western societies.
Kostya, Kiev, Ukraine
I actually did not wait anything but complete twaddle from Br.journalists side, yet the article has beaten all my previsions. Is it indeed your NATIONAL-WIIDE daily? (Must be a rather pathetic nation,this one). Well, the person (Mr.Lugovoy) moved publicly forward quite distinctly shaped facts. What do they have to do with "wheat production in oldova" in Brezhnev (/) period? Then, even if Mr Baker does not suffer excessive intellect, he shoud have been more accurate while citing the words of Lugovoy, as what he said was that British govt (and Mi6, respectively) was less suspected in this deal.
Andrey, Krasnodar, Russia
Of course Dostoevsky has written it. It the expert.
morbigana, Moscow, Russia
Russian Andrew Lugovoj has 3 small kids. They need their father. What is the profit for Lugovoj to mess with Litvinenko? Lugovoj soft dtrink enterprise lost 25 million dollars revenue since last Nobember.
nina politika, london, uk
I don't really understand what the Kremlin has to gain by killing Litvinenko.It may have been Putin's opponents in London who did the dirty deed.
The U.K. seems to be going through the "won the war lost the peace" syndrome again. But this time it's not Germany it's Russia. The west expected Russia to remain quiet and humbled after loosing the cold war, But thanks to her vast natural resources Russia has dug herself out of her financial hole remarkably quickly. Whereas here in the UK we seem to be digging ourselves into an ever increasing deeper one. If you look at the BBC site they report much improvement within Russia. Many Russians pulling themselves up by their own bootlaces.
They have a president who is righting some wrongs that happened in the early days of the new Russia. Natural resources that were stolen have been stolen back. Here our government continues to steal from us.
The west should be nice to Russia and not talk about pointing missiles at her.
Steve Byrne, Florida, USA
When I read Europe or American news, sometimes it seems to me that there is a complex of former Cold War in some jornalistic mind, or may be a complex of misunderstanding of the modern Russian processes. It looks like it's much easier to blame us for all urgly things of the humanity, comfortably sitting in convenient armchair somewhere in London, but not to visit our country just for one time to see reality and impressive economy changes, or even just to read Russian history more diligently.
I don't know who is Litvinenko murder but as far as I know there hasn't been any court trial yet which has sentenced somebody as proved murder. And that's why I can't understand if the article author had any right to write this headline and the article and even more I suspect he hadn't no real fact, but only news rumors.
Of course, it's much easier to blame the whole nation, which rarely read your articles, than to hold an inquiry into a problem.
Alexey, Arkhangelsk, Russian Federation
Saul,
Been ages, old boy. We must have lunch.
Any history of British Intelligence in the Cold War makes very depressing reading. The Philby/Burgess/Maclean business would be funny if it wasn't so deadly serious.
If conspiracy theorists (found on a British media organisation website) are believed there are 1,000s of people tracking down and following those threats to security who write letters to The Graudian or hand out leaflets nr Downing St, or perjuring themselves in Court and bumping off opponents left, right and centre. And these many operatives rigidly observe a code of silence which forbids them selling the story of the great subversion of British Democracy to the Observer or the Mail on Sunday for a substantial contribution to their pension.
Anyone who has ever worked with the Govt knows what an effort is required to simply send a letter and retain a copy with making a horlicks of the whole process - conspiracies remain the realm of the BBC drama dept.
Toby Esterhase, London,
British influence on Russian governance began in the mid-19th century. Alexander II joined with Araham Lincoln to stop the British bankers establishing a privately-owned central bank in the USA. Consequently Lincoln was assassinated by an agent of the British bankers. A terrorist organisation called Young Russia was created by Chernychevsky as part of British agent Giuseppe Mazzini's Young network, and was the inspiration for many Russian revolutionary terrorists, some of whom assassinated Alexander.
The 1904/5 revolution was encouraged by Schiff agent Kennan.
And 1917 was undoubtedly controlled by Anglo-American forces who wanted the Russian market and natural resources, after British agents had engineered the war to drive Russians to rebel against Nicholas, resulting in tens of millions of deaths. Jacob Schiff took personal credit for 1917.
My point is; the Anglo-American elite think they own everyone and everything and are prepared to do anything to gain more and more control.
Zippy, UK,
The Homer Simpson of the KGB. Litvenko left a trail a mile wide.
As for the assasination the Pope,in short order, the three clowns involved, Brezhnev, Chernenko and Andropov died.
This was follwed by the Chernobyl disaster and the explosion on May 13th at their naval depot. On December 25th Gorbachev dissolves the USSR Merry Christmas. Apparently St. Paul was right in saying God is not mocked.
Isaiah, Dallas, , TX
And then the eastern european anti semites come flooding out the woodwork. To the igorant Vlad - Jews are 'ordinary' British, just as they are 'ordinary Russians' or 'ordinary French' or 'ordinary anything'. Jews subscribe a a particular religion, just like Catholics or Buddhists. The only people with 'great influence' in Britain today are the Arabs with all the oil. Get out of your prejudice and stop believing the lies of your fascist past.
Jay, London,
If Russia is such a great country why are so many of its inhabitants trying to leave it?
Why are 60,000 Russian women seeking to sell themselves in marriage to Westerners?
suzy, Christchurch, New Zealand
Remember, Russia's population is now only 120 million as opposed to the Russian/Soviet Empire of 250 million. It is not a great power. It has regressed back to the days of Muscovy under Ivan the Terrible and Boris Godunov. (Good opera, bad ruler)
A second rate oil/gas producing backward country with a posturing semi dictatorial President who do not really wish mischief to the buyers of its natural resources who keep his country going.
Peter Kaldor, Woking, U.K.
The main threat to Russia, despite its economic resurgence,is a dwindling population. Low birth rate plus low life expectancy does not bode well. Vlads' attitude confirms their racist attitudes ,a reluctance to tolerate foreign workers from Chechnya etc, so we need not fear as in 50 years or so there won't be many Russians left!
Richard, Manchester, UK
Yeah, right. Of course Russians did it because they are EVIL. The author needs to wake up and look around. The Cold War is over. Russia has changed a lot more than the Western countries since mid 80s.. The link between the communist past and real life is fading away with every day, but it looks like for some sovetologists is vitally important to portrait the modern Russia as a successor of the old Soviet empire. Think soberly for a moment. Do you really think that Russia is plannig to dominate the world?
Anton, Denver, USA
"we need to show some more of the backbone that won the Cold War"
We didn't show any backbone for most of the Cold War, which is why it went on so long. When MI6 found out about Philby he was even allowed to escape so as to avoid a scandal. Blunt was allowed to become keeper of the Queen's pictures after being revealed to be a spy. What kind of way is that to deal with traitors?
The CIA had many sources in the KGB. Most were caught as a result of the treachery of Ames & Hanssen, now doing life in SuperMax. Traitors are treated somewhat different in the USA!
As soon as the west finally got leaders worthy of the name - Thatcher and Reagan - the Cold War was brought to a swift conclusion.
Richard Clarke, Chicago IL, USA
Yes, I agree with major points made in this editorial article ( with the minor exception of the assertion that the Western countries have won Cold WAR- it is clear that it was ended due to the internal problems of the Soviet Union, rather than outside military pressure or interference).
As far as this press conference is concerned, I am convinced that it was aimed mostly at Russian public rather than Western audience and the aim of it was to find a way out from this situation, which clearly has become very embarrassing for Russia.
As far as current political situation in Russia is concerned I am not very optimistic about, if this is the “order” that will prevail in Russia, then future is fraught with dangers the negative consequences of which one can not foresee now.
Kostya, Kiev, Ukraine
This article is 100% true. I'm stating this based on my 40 years-long experience of living in USSR. I tried to find any paragraph in the article I wouldn't agree with and I failed. I'm one of the jewish "newcomers" to USA Vlad from Ukraine mentioned above. And, based on his comments, I'd like to say that If something was changed in minds of the people from the former USSR (not all of them), the changes are microscopical. Same paranoia about outside enemies, trying to conquer the "Mother-Russia" rules their minds. And russian authorities are doing their best to keep people in this state of mind. Looks like they succeed. To my grate pity.
My best regards to Gerard Baker. Thank you, Sir!. This is one of the most analitical and truthfull newspaper articles about former USSR/current Russia I've ever read . I repeat - my experience allow me to state this.
P.S. Dear Vadim,
I'm not a CIA agent. and I don't work for any state organisation. I'm a comp. programmer
Simon, New York, USA
It was a rainy night on midsummer.
Keith sat in an armchair, he took a small sip of cognac from a large bowl glass.
I watched him move the glass around. He said, "You know, that article reminds me of something."
"Great! A story! I'll give him a listen." I thought.
With the glass in his hand, he said, I was in Kampuchea, quite a few years ago. My friend, noticed a small bird on the ground. She did not recognise it. I told her it was a blackbird, and that there were a lot in Europe. She said it had come a long way. She said I had come a long way, too."
Keith took another sip of cognac.
"Pol Pot drank cognac, you know? Not the big names, and not a lot in Kampuchea, to my current knowledge. Domaine cognacs, like this."
Keith and I sat, drank and chatted for a while, then he left for bed, while I sat and watched the rain
Keith Murray, Bournemouth, UK
hey vlad, looks like ugly old neo-fascism is raising its ugly head in ukraine. Have you forgotten what the nazis did to your country 60 years ago? Or the enforced famines of stalin's era? Oh yeah, i forgot, communism rewrote history to make everything appear rosy. Come and join the modern wolrd with the rest of us, or stick with the other anti -semites like fundamentalist Islam
Dan, birmingham,
It’s simple: when Russia weak there are lots of kisses and hugs from west. When Russia is getting stronger there are curses from west. So the more swelling the better for us.
Vlad, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine
If everything is so bad in Russia, why the foreign investments to Russia is growing rapidly? Businessmen feel the situation better than politics and evaluate all the risks. In St. Petersburg Nissan, Toyota, GM and Ford will have the new factories by the end of 2008. It's time to make fair business in Russia, the time of chip resoursed passed.
Anton, St.Petersburg, Russia
These killings came just befor vote year in Russia. It seems like someone is really interested to shake the boat and orginise a kind of orange revolution in Russia. The aim is to return Yeltsen ("democratic") times and get cheap access to Russian oil and gas. I have no anser who could it be.
Pavel, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Dear j keogh, Berezovkiy is Jew. There are lots of newcomers to GB from Russia. But 90% of them are Jews. They are given asylum in GB because Jews have large influence in your country. Your government never extradite Berezovkiy. He knows too much and can bring lots of harm to Russia. That is what your government need. P.S. I hope not ordinary British because it would be real problem.
Vlad, Dnepropetovsk, Ukraine
oh well. on the upside at least the cold war thriller can return again!
Adam, London,
I think Mr. Baker in vain frightens English people. Russians well concern to English people. Russia, the USA, the Great Britain is allies... Histories of our countries are very similar, we should be friends. Be not afraid of Putin, it has put things in order in Russia, has won Yeltsin's mafia. Be not afraid of Putin)))
Vadim, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
As usual, Mr Baker is spot on. What is so sad about it is that despite the totally ludicrous suggestion that the wholly inept British intelligence services were behind it all (allied of course with that 'nasty ' Mr Berezovsky - always a good ploy to blame a Jew if possible where Russia is concerned), that there are people in the West who are more than happy to believe it!! No smoke without fire, as the conspiracy theorist would have it.
No doubt we will soon see this pathetic attempt at misinformation 'legitimated' by a BBC documentary...and Putin will be laughing at us all the way,
Jay, London,
I always thought that the assassin was meant to be bumped off after the event so that his/her client could not be traced. Or perhaps I have been watching the wrong films! Interesting to see that the 'MI6' brand still has some kudos in Russia.
Saul Enderby, Cambridge Circus, London, UK
I agree with J Keogh. Pre 9/11, some of these so called asylums would have been acting in ways towards thier government which would now be considered as terrorism. It just shows how the rules were made to benefit so and so
Jay, Southampton, UK
This conspiracy theory suffers from the same flaw as the Princess Diana and 9/11 conspiracy theories. If a malign government agency really wished to carry out these actions, why on earth would it follow these methods? Litvinenko (liike Princess Diana) could have been removed much more simply. And if there was a wish to implicate the KGB, that also could have been accomplished more simply, and with clearer indications of involvement.
Fanny Herring, Norwich,
I have lived long enough to remember Russia as the big bad communist bear. Now "mother Russia" fancies itself the counter-balance to the west. As the Article infers, The Russians don't do many things well...besides espionage...and the fact that they had the good fortune to have lots of natural gas and oil doesn't hurt but lets face it...the Russian economy is a disaster for most of its' citizens. The only people making money are the Oligarchs and those in power skimming as much as they can from whoever they can shake down. The Russians use their resources as a weapon and only wave their finger at the west when it makes them look tough to their few remaining allies..(i.e. Serbia) its sad really..from time to time the Russians jump up and down and hold their breath so the world will think they are still relevant..they're not...peace to all.
Mark Willmott, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
there is one problem with your assumptions, it isn't us who won the cold war, but the soviet economy who lost it.
Luke, London,
Russia, China and India are taking--over the running of the world and we'd better get used to the idea as within a few short years from now Europe and the US will be economically and, crucially, militarily weaker than this rapidly emerging triumvirate. The west has fed the Beast for it's own short-term gains and now the beast is turning into a Monster that will eat those that have fed it. Forget the New American Century (itself devised because of the fear of this eventuality) and say 'Hello!' to the Old World Order, a place with the distinct whiff of Orwellian nightmare about it.
Chairman Putin, London, UK
There may be some truth in this theory, given the notorious incompetence of the British Secret Service. If they had tried to kill Litvinenko, they probably would have killed one of his neighbours or the waiter who served the tea (if he was killed by poison in tea). So maybe a Russian did it, but which Russian? Berezovsky, for example, is a Russian, in fact London seems to be awash with Russians, some of whom have very colourful pasts. Why were they given asylum here? Britain has made itself the centre of this, really not very interesting, flap by giving asylum to people who are trying to destabilize the government of a foreign sovereign state..
j keogh, london, england
You have said it all. The story about the Frenchman and the pictures with the women is apocryphical, though. But on the whole, your analysis is correct.
Nathan, Geneva, Switzerland
A police station, somewhere in England, next week...
"Norman Stanley Fletcher you stand accused of breaking and entering the apartment of Mr. Smith. You are a habitual criminal with a long list of previous convictions. Your fingerprints are all over the premises, and a trail of Mr. Smiths possessions leads to your house, your brothers house, and your fathers caravan on Canvey island. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty guv! Were those MI6 wotdun it! honest"
Charlie Harrington, Oxford, UK
This is a quite concentrated specimen of cold war nostalgia, undiluted by any originality. Nothing else.
Alexey, Moscow, Russia
Idiotic.. from beginning to end... but of course don't let facts stand in the way of your opinions, man... although wheat was never grown in Moldova, trains ran on time, and it was probably the Yanks who tried to kill the Pope aided by their lil' british brothers... and yes it wasn't Russian agents that killed unruly MI-6 asset Litvinenko.
And whatever you are a victim of, it's certainly not your freedoms of which you have none aside from imaginary stuff beaten into your brains from early age on by the dint of endless repetitions and exhortations to democracy etc., etc.
But again as I say don't let facts stand in the way of your opinions. go on, man, go on....
IB, Moscow, Rossiya
Would you stop treating Russians like trained circus bears - why are you allowed to have your views and attitudes and we are not?
Kate, Moscow, Russia
Just wait for the pro-Putin rants to start popping up yet again on this Have Your Say, supposedly from "residents" in Western countries. Ooh look, here's one already...
Robert C, London , UK
Dear Gerard,
Thanks for this little peice of ficticious comedy. That's what is is isn't it?
The probaganda machine is alive and well in the U.K of late. You only need to worry when you feel the cold wind blowing. Then you really know the Russians are coming!!
DS, Darwin, Australia
"None of this is to speak too harshly of the efforts of MI5, MI6 or the CIA. " ....... Actually, it speaks volumes of the Intelligence used if we don't speak harshly of their efforts, given that they may be/are so pathetic/apathetic...... and to huff and puff with an Arrogant Denial is to be as riddled with the big C, a malignant, inoperable Cancer.
And Mr Baker's last paragraph sails right up that street and would appear not to disagree..... and I imagine that they all sleep soundly knowing what they know . The Circus? Some would say that a circus it is, but it aint a Smart one and it certainty aint got no Ring Masters ...... or even a Big Top.
Typical really of Twee Quaintness rather than Quantum Leaping ..... but one always live in XXXXPectation that the penny will drop that there are other Ways ......."there are forces at work in the country of which we have no knowledge."
QuITE..... Universal Virtual Forces, no less. .... that don't sleep on the job.
amanfromMars, Seventh Heaven , Global Communications HQ
I am sure Mr Baker is right, I have no doubt the Russians (at least, the FSB) did do it; the gauntlet that is being thrown down, is to prove it. However, it would be a mistake to assume the West has any moral high ground on this. I am equally sure Lugovoy didn't do it, which is why he is turning into such a cheeky chap. But this is a chess game, not a nuclear war; let us keep it in proportion. The question is, what are the prizes for winning or losing such a game?
H. Grattan, Johannesburg, South Africa