Article

2007-07-10 Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Kremlin chief 'sacked to pave way for Putin'

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Posted by lotp 2007-07-10 00:00|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 How could anyone in Soviet Union in 1970s have 'financial dealings'?

You'd be surprised. Members of nomenclatura were always more equal than others. For instance, it was illegal to hold any foreign currency for the common Ivan, but not so for a member of higher echelons of CP.

Swiss accounts were a norm. Intended for the most part to finance spiedom and subversions, accounts managers were free to speculate provided that they showed consistently a net gain. Some, though, did not limit their initiative for the common good and used these instruments for their own gain. Of course, it was working as long as some higher ups did not get envious. Then the poor party animal was as good as cooked.

Seems that the old style is coming back into fashion, in Russia.

Posted by twobyfour 2007-07-10 02:00|| 2007-07-10 02:00|| Front Page Top

#2 Traditionally, Soviet politics were such that their balance of power was divided between the KGB, the military and the communist party. If one branch got too powerful, the other two would gang up against it.

Ivanov was seen a few weeks ago as one of two possible replacements for Putin, and he was seen as the FSB (KGB) candidate. But curiously, the other candidate was neither FSB, a political or a military candidate. He is the head of their government petroleum concern. A businessman?

While he is still an insider, he would be a radical choice, probably representing a major shift in leadership dynamics.

Posted by Anonymoose 2007-07-10 16:30|| 2007-07-10 16:30|| Front Page Top

#3 Ivanov was seen a few weeks ago as one of two possible replacements for Putin,

That's Defence Minister (now First Deputy PM) Sergei Ivanov. Igor was always the odd man out.

Posted by ed 2007-07-10 17:52|| 2007-07-10 17:52|| Front Page Top

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