Article

2005-01-13 Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Russia may ban 'disrespectful' foreigners

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Posted by tipper 2005-01-13 9:19:04 AM|| || Front Page|| [11135 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Why don't they just call the place the "Soviet Socialist Republic of Russia"?

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2005-01-13 11:07:25 AM|| 2005-01-13 11:07:25 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 The New and Improved Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.

Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-01-13 11:11:34 AM|| 2005-01-13 11:11:34 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Why don't they just call the place the "Soviet Socialist Republic of Russia"?

I know I will catch major flak for this, but how about the US border guard who refuses entry to a person who already has a visa, for no reason other than the guard's whim. It happens quite often. All you have to do is show disrespect to the border guard, and you're gone. How's this different than what the Russians want?

Posted by Rafael 2005-01-13 1:56:33 PM|| 2005-01-13 1:56:33 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Everything is in the interpretation. It could be anything from comprehensive border control legislation to prevent a flood of illegals (of several varieties), to just a feel-good "tough on crime" measure. Russians tend to be sticklers to *their interpretation* of the "letter of the law", so they label offenses with wide grey areas, like "hooliganism" and "disrespect".

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-01-13 3:20:03 PM|| 2005-01-13 3:20:03 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 It is their country and ultimately the Russsians make the rules. The US does not allow AIDS patients or those on the terrorist names list into our country.

But I think Russia will use the law to restrict medical cases, prosthelyzing religious groups and democratic reform organizations that can question Putin's power structure.

Posted by ed 2005-01-13 3:37:20 PM|| 2005-01-13 3:37:20 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 I have no problem w/this. Wish we'd do the same. A U.S. visa is a priveledge for a foreigner, not a right.

Posted by Jarhead 2005-01-13 3:46:35 PM|| 2005-01-13 3:46:35 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 All you have to do is show disrespect to the border guard, and you're gone. How's this different than what the Russians want?

This article states that foreign nationals can be kept out for having harmed Russia's "generally accepted spiritual, cultural and social values".

The problem is, how does one do this, and when? The Russians don't say.

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2005-01-13 5:55:29 PM|| 2005-01-13 5:55:29 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 From the BBC article: Rights groups fear it could be used to keep government critics out of Russia.

Good point. And that's probably what it will be used for in the future. However, denying entry to foreigners who show disrespect for the country seems like a reasonable idea. You wouldn't believe how many people crossing the border think they're God's gift to the world. The border is no place to act like a jackass.

Posted by Rafael 2005-01-13 6:08:41 PM|| 2005-01-13 6:08:41 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 To give an example: A guy I know complained that he was denied entry to the US, even with a valid visa, for commenting that the guard checking his paperwork is himself probably involved in a smuggling operation. He said this to the border guard. Too bad this guy wasn't forced to reimburse the airline for having to haul his ass back to where he came from.

Posted by Rafael 2005-01-13 6:15:34 PM|| 2005-01-13 6:15:34 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 As long as they still let people out, it is a major improvement over the USSR.

Posted by jackal 2005-01-13 7:07:35 PM|| [http://home.earthlink.net/~sleepyjackal/index.html] 2005-01-13 7:07:35 PM|| Front Page Top

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