Iron (Curtain) Chef Britain: Battle Berezovsky
Filed under: Russia
Fascinating developments in regard to exiled dissident Russian "oligarch" Boris Berezovsky. First, a Brazilian prosecutor announced an indictment of Mr. B for money laundering, and then Berezovsky informed the British tabloid The Sun that he's been informed by Scotland Yard of an attempt by the Kremlin to assassinate him. Some may well ask whether the second revelation is not remarkably convenient in the aftermath of the first; but then, those same people might fail to ask whether the first revelation is not remarkably convenient in light of Britain's expulsion of Russian diplomats over Russia's failure to extradite accused Litvinenko killer Andrei Lugovoi and Britain's refusal to extradite Berezovsky, who has been given political asylum from Russia in light of the Khodorkovsky prosecution. If, as Berezovsky claims, British authorities really did foil an attempt to kill him launched by the Kremlin, then the Brazilian action could be seen as a further Russian attempt to get revenge on Russia's most prominent and powerful dissident. But -- Does Russia have that kind of influence in Brazil? If not, why did Brazil suddenly choose this moment, most opportune for Russia, to move against Berezovsky? Such Russian influence is certainly conceivable, given its efforts to provide huge quantities of weapons (including even submarines!) to Venezuelan madman Hugo Chavez. If it is gaining such influence, that is a terrifying new front in the new Cold War. Alternatively, could Russia have simply duped the Brazilians? It's a situation that obviously must be watched closely. Comments from readers with knowledge of the situation in Brazil most welcome.
UPDATE #1: British authorities have announced an arrest in the Berezovsky assassination attempt. Looks like it was not just his imagination.
UPDATE #2: The European Union has strongly backed Britain in the confrontation. Putin has led his impoverished, dying country into a second cold war with NATO, the EU and the USA. Game on, people. Time to get serious.
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