Patriarch Bartholomew’s Interference in the Internal Affairs of the Ukraine Creates Foreign Policy Problems for Turkey

“Enough! I am Bartholomew, the Beneficent, the Great and all-Powerful! Everything in the Church is mine to Dispense!” I say, where is Toto when you need him?

The main newspaper of the Turkish opposition, Dzhimikhuriet (The Republic), carried an article by Deniz Berktay entitled “The Killer of Orthodoxy”, in which he severely criticises EP Patriarch Bartholomew for his interference in the internal affairs of other countries “from Cyprus to Estonia, from Jerusalem to the Ukraine”, actions that create foreign policy problems for the Turkish state. We contacted the author and asked him to explain his position.

Mr Berktay stated, “The Patriarch of Istanbul already interfered in the internal affairs of the Ukraine during the time of the so-called ‘Orange Revolution’, and he actively supported one of the factions in this domestic political affair. The Turkish state does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. Well, Patriarch Bartholomew has one position, and the Turkish state has another (The patriarch is a Turkish citizen and ranks as a civil agent: ND). If he is a member of international political association, he can support any particular political group that he wishes as a member of that organisation. However, in the Ukraine, he deals directly with the leadership of the state; therefore, he must represent the Turkish state. But, this counts as foreign policy activity, which can lead to a quarrel with Russia, the Ukraine, and with other states. This is inadmissible. Even now, our embassies and consulates are being picketed.

On the other hand, if Turkish religious or public organisations were to interfere in the internal affairs of other states, causing conflicts in those countries, then, it is only fair that foreign organisations could interfere in our internal affairs, something that no one wants at all. We observe the freedom of conscience, of course, but, we would like your Orthodox patriarch to consult with Turkish leaders first [before acting]”.  

25 July 2008

Novaya Demokratiya (New Democracy) (a Ukrainian newspaper)

Quoted in Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=print&div=8764 (in English)

Editor’s Note:

There is something that Bart does not wish to talk about. He is not only bound by the Holy Canons, the EP is bound by the strictures of the Treaty of Lausanne. For example, the Patriarch of Istanbul must be a Turkish citizen, and he receives certain privileges from the Turkish state. If he violates the conditions of this treaty, the Turks have the right to boot him from the Phanar. Apparently, he is working very hard at getting on the wrong side of the Turks (not a wise move, that) and he is doing so on several, not just one, fronts.

In short, Bart is not the “Beneficent Oz, the Great and all-Powerful” that he claims he is. He is, rather, a pathetic little Balkan ecclesial princeling with an overactive streak of ambition. Oh, by the way, “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain”.

Yushchenko Reiterated for the Third Time the Importance of Creating a “Local Church” in the Ukraine

The Unity of the Russian People (Mikhail Khmelko, 1948). It is time for all honest Russians, from all the Russias, to stand in defence of our Lord Christ. Yushchenko spat at him tonight. You know what blasphemers deserve!

Kiev, 26 July 2008 (Interfax):

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is confident that there shall be a united “Local Church” in the Ukraine, as he said Saturday evening in the course of a formal observance in St Sofia in Kiev dedicated to the 1,020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia. “I believe, that as the truth exists, next to a revived (sic) Ukrainian state there shall be a revived (sic) Ukrainian church, to be the support of its people and of the greater unity of the Orthodox world”, Yushchenko said. He emphasised that the presence in the celebrations of Patriarch Bartholomew and the leaders of the Local Churches “are God’s signs and God’s blessings”. Yushchenko thanked the guests for their valuable spiritual support. “We note the 1,020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Kievan Russia as a celebration of the spirit, a great day in the life of Christianity and in the life of the European world”, he said.

In turn, Patriarch Bartholomew stated, “the church is a sign of unity. Let us then greet one another with the joy of this holy event” (the 1,020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia: Interfax), the patriarch said. According to our Interfax correspondent, the grounds of St Sofia in Kiev were decorated with flowers, and candles in glass candlesticks were placed on the green lawns. More than 900 guests were invited to the formal affair. Amongst the attendees were Arseny Yatsenyuk, the chairman of the parliament, Raisa Bogatyrev, secretary of the National Security Council and Defence, and the first president of the post-Soviet Ukrainian state, Leonid Kravchuk, along with other public figures.

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=25723 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

TWO figures were missing from this little soirée. Of course, His Holiness Aleksei and His Beatitude Vladimir were not invited. They’re only the canonical bishops with jurisdiction, after all. Black Bart should have refused to attend if the canonical bishop was barred. He came anyway, and that speaks volumes for his treachery. Yushchenko is not only a khokhol, he is a STUPID khokhol, for he did not invite Yuliya Timoshenko! He’s going to rue that one! She’s gonna get even, and she’s gonna get her pound of flesh… Former President Kuchma and Viktor Yanukovych, the leader of the patriotic opposition, were also kept out. Gee… shades of the old Soviet Union!

Yushchenko showed himself in contempt of the church tonight. He hates the church’s proper bishops and does not invite them. He invited a foreign hierarch who cannot, under the holy canons, even come to the Ukraine without the permission of the ruling bishop, which I remind all objective people, he refused to secure. Viktor Yushchenko put a dagger to the throat of Christ tonight. I shall not be silent, nor shall I be bullied by autocephalist schismatics such as “Fr Nicholas”. Sir, I shall not allow you and your ilk to rape the Church of Christ. You shall do so over my dead body.

We must clean the icon of Christ of the filth spewed at it by Yushchenko and Bart. I am ready to defend the Church against its sworn enemies, are you? 

Thousands of Orthodox Believers Enthusiastically Welcome Patriarch Aleksei at the Kievo-Pecherskogo Lavra

Assumption Cathedral of the Kievo-Pecherskogo Lavra, Kiev, one of the oldest Russian monasteries

Kiev, 26 July 2008 (Interfax):

Orthodox believers gave an enthusiastic welcome to Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and all Russia upon his arrival in Kiev on Saturday after a flight from Moscow, according to our Interfax-Religion correspondent. The streets adjacent to the Kievo-Pecherskogo Lavra were choked with people waiting for His Holiness to arrive. When the Patriarch’s motorcade came into view, the crowd began to chant loudly, “Aleksei II… our patriarch!”

The crowd held religious banners, white-blue-red Russian tricolours, and the black-gold-silver flag of the Romanov imperial house, and the majority of those present held large portraits of the patriarch. Some held posters reading, “Autocephaly, the road to hell!”, “One Triune Russia, One Indivisible Church!” (“Triune Russia”: the union of Russia, the Ukraine, and Belarus), and “Aleksei II, Our Patriarch”.

When Patriarch Aleksei left the car and walked to the gates of the monastery, people threw flowers at his feet. As the bells of the monastery rang continuously, the patriarch walked through the grounds of the Lavra followed by the members of the Holy Synod of the MP, and bishops and clergy of the Ukrainian Autonomous Orthodox Church (MP). Applause spontaneously erupted, people stood on tip-toe trying to catch a glimpse of His Holiness, many took photographs of the delegation, and a woman gave Patriarch Aleksei an enormous bouquet of white flowers.

A sustained ovation broke out when the patriarch ascended the steps of a platform set up in the square in front of the monastery’s main cathedral. The Patriarch and Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and all the Ukraine (the First Hierarch of the UAOC (MP)) served a molieben asking the intercessions of all the saints glorified in the Kievo-Pecherskogo Lavra.

On Saturday, Patriarch Aleksei came to Kiev to take part in the celebrations honouring the 1,020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia. At his arrival, he called all Russians and Ukrainians to preserve the unity of the Orthodox faith. “We are here so that amity and unity would be amongst us”, His Holiness said as he deplaned from his airliner at Kiev Borispol Airport. He called all Orthodox believers to “cherish this great gift of unity, to treasure our unity as fraternal Slavic peoples”

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=25718 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

Interfax! Fire this unpatriotic dweeb! They not only weakened the intensity of this piece, they used language appropriate to a Galician Uniate, not a true-blue red-blooded Russian Orthodox Christian. “Moscow-controlled Ukrainian Orthodox Church”, indeed! It is the Ukrainian Autonomous Orthodox Church of the MP, get it right! It is spelled “Kiev”, not “Kyiv”, and no amount of Galician Uniate temper tantrums is going to change that fact. To top it all, it was not only botched, but, incomplete, yet again. 

Here is the URL for the original botched English translation:

http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=5000 (in English)

When I was reading the original Interfax translation, I noticed that the tone wasn’t right. It had the feel of papist propaganda, such as Asia News. Talking about that tainted source, it claims that Bart has won the whole banana; it is only a matter of time before there is an “autocephalous” “Ukrainian” church, and how Bart & Co hate nationalism. I see… that is why they appoint a Greek who doesn’t speak the local lingo to be “bishop” in Estonia! It had all the earmarks of one of Ioannis Zizoulas’ nasty little missives. I tell my RC friends truly, don’t be taken in by such rubbish. All it shall do is tick us Russians off immensely, and Benedict’s little scheme of meeting Aleksei will go down the chute, permanently.  

Patriarch Aleksei says it is Necessary to Preserve the Spiritual Unity of Russia, the Ukraine, and Byelorussia

His Holiness Aleksei Mikhailovich Rediger (1929- ), Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, First Hierarch of the MP, a modern apostle of Church Unity. May God preserve him!

Kiev, 26 July 2008 (RIA-Novosti):

Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and all Russia made a plea for all the peoples of Russia, the Ukraine, and Byelorussia to treasure their spiritual unity as he arrived in Kiev for the celebration of 1,020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia. “It is necessary for us to cherish this great gift of unity, to treasure our unity as fraternal Slavic peoples”, Patriarch Aleksei said at a press conference after his deplaning at Borispol Airport in Kiev. “We are here so that amity and unity would be amongst us”, he noted. Then, Patriarch Aleksei greeted all Orthodox Christians in the Ukraine and all the people of Kiev with the joy of the anniversary of the Baptism of Russia. “Without prompting, our thoughts pass to that event that happened 1,020 years ago, the baptism of the Kievans in the Dnepr”, he said.

His Holiness recalled that 20 years ago the Millennium of the Baptism of Russia was celebrated, and, after reflecting on the last 20 years, it is obvious to everyone that church life has radically changed, and multitudes have come to the faith. He thinks that it necessary for all of us to thank the Lord for the fact that the Slavic peoples who were baptized in the common Kiev font preserved their spiritual unity. The patriarch emphasised that most Orthodox believers in the Ukraine, in Russia, and in Byelorussia realise the significance of this anniversary of the Baptism of Russia. “I am glad that on the feastday of Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir that I am going to help serve the Divine Liturgy at the Kievo-Pecherskogo Lavra, and I shall thank the Lord for all His Graces and I shall pray that God’s Blessings would stay with all of us so that we could preserve the most precious gift of all, our Holy Orthodox Faith”, Patriarch Aleksei concluded.

RIA-Novosti

http://www.rian.ru/society/religion/20080726/114987593.html (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

It is important to note who was NOT at the airport to greet His Holiness. Yushchenko was not there. That khokhol was squiring Bartholomew about town, showing him a portrait of the convicted OUN murderer (and SS-Sturmbannführer) Roman Shukhevich, saying (God, help us!) that such people were the “salt of the earth”.

Two world-views are colliding in Kiev. One is that of Prince of this World, as typified by Yushchenko and Bartholomew. Yushchenko glorifies those who voluntarily joined the Nazi cause, whilst Bartholomew bows in adoration before the Pope of Rome. Which is worse? Do you wish to be hung or shot? One is still dead… Both wish to create an artificial “church” that is to be founded on the basis of violence and subservience to the state and to Rome.

The other is that of the Church of Christ, of the Church of the Assembly of All the Saints that Shone Forth in the Russian Land and the Assembly of the New Martyrs of the Bolshevik Yoke. Grand Prince St Vladimir of Kiev was the first amongst all the Russian Saints, and Metropolitan St Vladimir of Kiev was the Protomartyr of the Bolshevik Persecution. Therefore, it is going win through in the end, I think, although it may have to pass the fire in order to do so.

There are those who call His Holiness “Drozdov”… I remind them that their “leader” is a deposed cleric who was anathematised for sufficient reason, and the only reason he proclaimed himself “Patriarch of Kiev” is that the MP had the good-sense to reject him.  

Things are not proceeding well, but, there is a while yet left to go in this enterprise. The Cossack bodyguards of Metropolitan Vladimir should watch over His Holiness with care, for there are many unstable sorts amongst the Orangies and Uniates.

God watch over and protect our Holy Patriarch. He has stepped knowingly into his enemies’ citadel. That takes GUTS.

Ukrainian Leader Seeks Patriarch’s Blessing for Independent Church

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko (1954- ) with Patriarch Bartholomew of Istanbul (1940- ) of the EP. Is this an incipient schism in the offing? God help us all, these two are Uniates in all but name. 

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko asked the Ecumenical Patriarch on Saturday to give his blessing his plans for a national church independent of the MP. The president’s request to Bartholomew, who is in Kiev for celebrations marking the 1,020th anniversary of the adoption of Orthodox Christianity in Kievan Russia, is likely to further anger Russia, which has resisted the plans of some in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to break away from the MP.

“I believe that a national self-governing church will emerge in the Ukraine, and I ask your holiness for your blessing for our dreams, for truth, for hope, for our country”, Yushchenko told the Orthodox spiritual leader (sic) at a service in the capital. The patriarch did not directly comment on the issue, but spoke of “maintaining church unity”. A rival Ukrainian church was formed after the break-up of the Soviet Union. However, only the Ukrainian Autonomous Orthodox Church (MP), which is part of the MP, is recognised in world Orthodoxy.

Russia has been angered by attempts to sideline the MP in the present celebrations in the Ukraine, and the removal of posters depicting Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and all Russia, who will be arriving in Kiev later on Saturday. On Friday, the Foreign Ministry summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to protest against the “lack of respect” being shown in the Ukraine to the MP and its millions of believers. Kiev Patriarchy (a rebel schismatic body led by a deposed and anathematised MP cleric: editor’s note) officials have recently stepped up contacts with the EP, seeking “to return the Ukraine to the Mother Church”. The drive has been actively backed by President Yushchenko and other top officials against a backdrop of tensions in relations with Russia.

The Christianisation of Kiev dates from late 988, when Prince St Vladimir the Great was baptised at Chersonesos, in the Crimea. He then baptised his family and people in Kiev and destroyed the wooden statues of Slavic pagan gods.

26 July 2008

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080726/114982557.html (in English)

Editor’s Note:

It is still too early in the game for any optimism. As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over”. It is not over yet. This is a good first move, but, Bart is on Yushchenko’s home court. As another saying has it, “It ain’t over until the fat lady sings”. I am waiting for the final aria…

26 July 2008. Out and About…

ISS Orbit Adjusted

Russian specialists in the Space Mission Control Centre near Moscow successfully adjusted the orbit of the International Space Station with the help of the European cargo spacecraft Jules Verne. The new orbit is optimal for the station’s rendezvous with Russian Progress ATVs and manned Soyuz vehicles. 

24 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30068&cid=87&p=24.07.2008 (in English)

Scientists to view solar eclipse in the Altai

Scientists from Russia, France, Britain, Angola, Georgia, and Iran have arrived in the Altai region in southern Siberia to observe a solar eclipse due to occur on 1 August. The moon’s shadow will eclipse the solar disc at a range of 250 kilometres (155 miles) crossing the region from north to south and then going to Mongolia and China. 

24 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30068&cid=87&p=24.07.2008 (in English)

Archaeologists to study early human settlements in the Kuriles

Ainu elders in the mid-19th century, they were the indigenous people in the Kuriles

A group of Russian, American, and Japanese archaeologists has landed on the island of Kharimkotan of the Kurile archipelago. The first people to set foot on this deserted island in years, the scientists are searching for traces of ancient settlements and will visit several more islands, which were presumably inhabited by humans in the first and second millenniums AD. 

24 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30068&cid=87&p=24.07.2008 (in English)

Russia’s reserves abroad reached a new record high

Russia’s reserves abroad have reached a new record high of 588.3 billion dollars (13.749 trillion roubles. 374.571 billion euros. 295.15 billion UK pounds). In the past week alone they have increased by 10 billion dollars (233.72 billion roubles. 6.367 billion euros. 5.07 billion UK pounds), as the Central Bank of Russia reported. In terms of its reserves abroad Russia is on the list of world leaders.

24 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30076&cid=46&p=24.07.2008 (in English)

Chapel to honour war dead near Murmansk

Soviet naval infantry on the Rybachi Peninsula

An Orthodox chapel has been built on Rybachi Peninsula in Murmansk oblast.  This site was occupied by a military hospital during the Great Patriotic War. Fierce fighting raged on the Musta-Tunturi Ridge nearby. Every day brought numerous wounded and many killed. The Red Army soldiers were buried in common graves not far from the hospital. Several years ago, the graves were discovered and restored by members of the “Vympel” veteran group. Mikhail Shlianin is the Chairman of the organisation, an he said, “Special task force troops from the Federal Security Service have training exercises in different areas, including Rybachi. It was during one of those exercises that the remains of about 300 Soviet naval infantry soldiers were discovered. Their identities have all been established and the documents are stored in our army unit. The graves were in poor condition, so, we’ve put them in good order in memory of those fallen”. 

The idea of building a chapel occurred to the special task corps and “Vympel” veterans later. The dome and log-hut were made in Murmansk and Revde in the Murmansk oblast and were delivered by helicopter and trucks. The chapel is now ready for consecration, which is scheduled for 22 July. The ceremony will be conducted by Archbishop Simon of Murmansk and Monchegorsk. Next year, “Vympel” members are planning to build another chapel right on top of the Musta-Tunturi Ridge to commemorate the Northern Fleet naval infantry who were killed while storming the Nazi fortifications. 

25 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30105&cid=48&p=25.07.2008 (in English)

Novgorod Veliki: computer skills for the elderly

Grandparents in Novgorod Veliki are passing school exams along with their grandchildren. But, unlike the kids they are examined in basic computer skills only. More than one hundred elderly people in Novgorod Veliki expressed a desire to acquire computer-literacy. The free courses, organised by the “Maxima-Development” Education Centre as part of the social project “Kind Heart”, opened their doors in several schools in different districts. The organisers originally thought of medical, psychological, legal, and financial assistance and computer skills were offered as an extra. The reaction, however, surpassed their expectations. 

Some joined out of loneliness, some, out of curiosity. Nikolai Ponomarev’s interest is of a professional nature. “The computer is a wonderful invention, I worked with smart machines all my life, and I never thought they would progress that much when I retired. Even science-fiction authors couldn’t predict that!” 79-year-old Dina Burygina developed a passion for computer design and is drawing fancy matroshka dolls in bright clothes. The employees of “Maxima-Development” are now busy devising new programmes for the elderly that would help them make virtual excursions to different landmarks. 

25 July 2008

Lyubov Olar

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30102&cid=48&p=25.07.2008 (in English)

Russia helds remembrance ceremonies for actor, poet and singer Vladimir Vysotsky

Vladimir Vysotsky (1938-80), famous Russian bard singer of the 60s and 70s

Russia is holding remembrance ceremonies today for the actor, poet, and singer songwriter Vladimir Vysotsky, whose death at the age of 42 some 28 years ago threw masses across the country into mourning. Although banned from the official stage in Soviet days, Vysotsky became a national icon, with the records of his songs in a husky voice bordering on a scream playing in every household. His songs are equally moving and loved to this day. Many cities across Russia are holding remembrance events and the city of Volgograd is hosting an International Festival of Singer Songwriters named after Vysotsky.

25 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30130&cid=48&p=25.07.2008 (in English)

Estonian veterans of the Nazi SS held reunion

Nazi memorial unveiled in Lihua in 2004. An international outcry forced its removal after 9 days. 100,000 Estonians willingly served the Nazis during World War II. This is a blot on Estonia that cannot be effaced.

Estonian veterans of the Nazi SS are holding a reunion Saturday to mark 64 years since first engaging the Soviet Red Army on 29 July 1944. Russian politicians urge the European Union to investigate the jamboree as a gross violation of decisions of the post-war tribunal in Nürnberg. The tribunal classified the SS as a criminal organisation. 

25 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30141&cid=48&p=25.07.2008 (in English)

Editor’s Note:

Reflect on the fact that the Estonian government pays pensions to these monsters for their Nazi service. Ponder further on the fact that Bush and Rice support such an enormity. It is an insult to the American war dead of the Second World War. For shame!

Crimean capital bans ‘dangerous’ moves by NATO

The legislative assembly of the Crimean capital of Simferopol declared Simferopol a NATO-free zone. Crimea is a peninsula in the southern Ukraine that was part of Russia until 1954. The lawmakers have banned all potentially dangerously moves by military and other contingents of NATO in the city of Simferopol. The Sea Breeze 2008 NATO exercise is widely protested in the Crimea. 

25 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30109&cid=45&p=25.07.2008 (in English)

Europe is tired of the Russophobia of the Latvian government

“Latvian Legion Day” on 16 March 2008, to honour the Latvian SS. It is approved by the Latvian and US governments. FOR SHAME! Over 100,000 Latvians willingly served the Nazis.

Europe is tired of the Russophobia of the Latvian government. Sergei Makarov, a member of the RF Gosduma legislation committee, said that a verdict by the European Human Rights Court that supported the appeal of Vasili Kononov, a veteran of the Second World War, was a moral victory of the Russian-speaking community over the nationalist Latvian régime. Mr Kononov was arrested by the Latvian government in 1998 on trumped-up charges of committing war crimes, that is, he led a partisan operation to eliminate several Nazi collaborators. The European Court rejected the argumentation of the Latvian side, who tried to justify the prosecution of the 85-year-old veteran by citing the Soviet occupation of Latvia.

26 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30150&cid=45&p=26.07.2008 (in English)

Editor’s Note:

Estonia and Latvia are two peas shucked from the same pod. The US supports both, in opposition to common decency. Is anti-Russian prejudice and hatred so important to Bush and Rice? Russia is not perfect, but, at least, we did not help the Nazis stuff the poor Jews into the ovens as many Latvians and Estonians did (as did many Galicians as well, I might add). Their blood cries for vengeance. Again, for shame!

Voice of Russia World Service

Russian polar station SP-36 to start work in September

Wrangel Island

The Russian drift-ice station North Pole-36 (SP-36) will start operating in early September, the hydrometeorology service’s Arctic and Antarctic research institute said Tuesday. “Monitoring of the ice situation for an assessment of area where the SP-36 could be located has been continuing since June. Analysis of satellite data during this period has made it possible to preliminarily define the possible location of permafrost ice masses to the north of the Wrangel Island”, press secretary Sergei Balyasnikov said.

Whilst in its current location, in the central part of the Arctic basin near the Mendeleyev underwater chain, the station will be searching for the ice masses. The last drifting station SP-35, which opened in September 2007, ended its operation in July. It covered over 2,500 kilometres (1,554 miles). The work of Russian drifting stations is aimed at conducting year-round meteorological, ice, and oceanographic observations, and monitoring of environmental conditions. Stations also research the effects of climatic change in the Central Arctic and the impact on the region’s ecosystems.

22 July 2008

http://en.rian.ru/science/20080722/114639687.html (in English)

RIA-Novosti

Russia shall not Agree to the Reconfiguration of the UN Mission to Kosovo without UN Security Council Approval

Vitaly Churkin (1952- ), Russian UN Ambassador

Moscow shall not agree to the reconfiguration of the UN Mission to Kosovo without UN Security Council approval. UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin stated this in an address to a UN Security Council meeting devoted to a Kosovo settlement on Friday. Another report by the UN Secretary-General on the UN Mission to Kosovo provisional administration was presented to the meeting. The 26-page report is very pessimistic. Ban Ki-moon insists that the UN mission has failed to fulfil its task. Pristina has practically usurped the powers of the UN mission. Consequently, Ban Ki-moon concludes that there is a need for reorganising the mission by strengthening the role of the European Union. 

Russia understands fully the EU’s determination to play an influential role in Kosovo. However, this has to be done on the basis of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, rather than unilaterally, as is done now. Mr Churkin is convinced that any move that is not approved by the Security Council violates the UN Charter. Mr Churkin said that the UN Secretary General has clearly exceeded his authority since this concerns the fulfilment of a fundamental decision by the Security Council, Resolution 1244. A comparison of the texts of Resolution 1244 and the report by the Secretary-General shows with utter clarity that his formulations in several cases differ from those of the resolution, Mr Churkin said. 

A drive for legalising a structure that will actualise the so-called Ahtisaari plan can be seen behind the destruction of the present format of international presence. The plan failed to win the approval of the UN Security Council. If the UN Mission to Kosovo leaves the Serbian enclaves in the south of the province under the pretext of reconfiguration, an escalation of tension in the region cannot be avoided. Speaking to the UN Security Council meeting, Mr Churkin urged the UN Secretary-General to hold consultations with all parties and the members of the international community that are interested in the issue. At the same time, the Secretary-General should use the readiness of the Serbian leaders for a dialogue with the United Nations to find a formulation of the reconfiguration of the mission acceptable to Belgrade. The UN Security Council could approve this. Addressing the meeting, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić confirmed his readiness for such a dialogue. 

Clearly, real progress in contacts between the UN and Serbia on Kosovo, including reconfiguration of the mission, would significantly defuse the situation and at the same time remain true to Resolution 1244. A long-term solution to the issue can be achieved only by negotiations on the basis of an agreement by all sides to honour international law and the prerogatives of the United Nations. To this end, the Russian proposal was supported by China, Libya, Indonesia, Vietnam, and South Africa. 

26 July 2008

Konstantin Garibov

Voice of Russia World Service

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=rus&q=78188&cid=19&p=26.07.2008 (in Russian)

26 July 2008. A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words…

The Rebirth of the Russian Fleet (V Pechatin, 1990s)

There is a site I log on to occasionally for a good laugh. It is called La Russophobe, and one can tell that the author takes themselves VERY seriously. As for me, I know that the next pratfall is just around the next corner, and that God has a good amount in His pocket full o’ fun to keep us humble. That being said, the person who runs this site believes in something called the NEO-SOVIET UNION. Let’s all tremble together in unison! OOOH! The boogeyman is gonna git ya!

Of course, that is pure bilious rot and moonshine. However, one can’t argue with such sorts, not only is the position ridiculous and the pleasure transient, but, these people are IMPERVIOUS. Instead of bullet-proof armour-plated ships, they have logic-proof armour-pated (no, I did NOT misspell, I do mean “armour-pated”) brains. However, I do offer this picture.

If this be the Neo-Soviet Union, I say, let there be more of such! Let’s all raise a glass to the end of communism! As for the La Russophobes of this world… leave ‘em be, don’t waste your God-given time. ¡Salud! 

Patriarchs of Georgia and Alexandria are not going to the Celebrations Marking the Baptism of Russia in Kiev

Theodore II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, the second-ranking Greek patriarch. His absence rains on Bart’s parade. Good-oh!

Moscow, 25 July 2008 (Radio Radonezh):

Patriarch and Catholicos Ilya II of Georgia does not plan to go the celebrations marking the 1,020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia in the Ukraine, Interfax-Religion reported, citing an article in the newspaper Komersant. Instead, a delegation led by Metropolitan Gerasim of Zugdid and Tsaish shall go, the newspaper reported. Vladyki Gerasim stated, “On the days when the Kiev festivities are taking place, the Patriarch of Alexandria is visiting Georgia. This is a historical visit, of course, and has been long in the works. Thus, Patriarch Ilya’s schedule has been set for some time, and there is no way we can change it”.

Radio Radonezh

http://www.radonezh.ru/new/?ID=7781 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

Hmm… come into my parlour, said the spider to the fly. Originally, in Kiev, the only ruling hierarchs expected were Patriarch Aleksei and Metropolitan Vladimir. Then, Bart “summoned” all the ruling hierarchs of the Local Churches to Kiev. It looks like Bart’s little love feast is being rained upon. The heads of three of the Local Churches, Cyprus, Georgia, and Alexandria have refused his “summons”. God willing, it shall cause Black Bart to pull away from the brink. Truly, the Church does not need such a dispute, not for the sake of the parvenu Yushchenko. Gotta give the Georgians credit, they did it in such a way that Bart has to SMILE. God bless the Georgians, they did right.

26 July 2008. A Day at the Races…

UEFA asks Germany to hold championship in 2012

The European Federation of Football Associations, UEFA, urged the German football union to prepare Germany to stage Euro-2012. The request came after a visit to the Ukraine of UEFA inspectors. The Ukraine and Poland were expected to stage the Euro-2012 together. The report by the inspectors expressed concern over the political situation in the country and calls in question the ability of Kiev to build stadiums and transport infrastructure. 

22 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29960&cid=52&p=22.07.2008 (in English)

Editor’s Note:

The Ukrainians drop the ball, yet again. Combining this with Angela Merkel giving Yushchenko a “Dutch Uncle talk” on her recent visit, the opposition of France and Germany to the Ukraine’s membership in NATO, and the introduction of bread-coupons this fall (in a region that was the bread-basket of the empire and USSR!), it looks like Yushchenko is going down for the count. That is why he may do something stupid…

New ski resort in Siberia

A new all-season ski resort shall open in Siberia in January 2009. The tourist centre “Manzherok” on Mount Sinukha in the Altai Republic offers ski trails of different complexity ranks with a length of 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) and 4 lifts. 

23 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30019&cid=87&p=23.07.2008 (in English)

Russia may increase prizes for Olympic gold-winners

Russia may increase its prizes to its Olympic gold-medal-winners from 50,000 dollars (1.168 million roubles. 31,835 euros. 25,085 UK pounds) to 100,000 euros (3.67 million roubles. 157,060 USD. 78,797 UK pounds). National Olympic Committee President Leonid Tyagachov believes that the move will stimulate the athletes’ desire to win. Russia hopes to take about 80 medals during the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. 

24 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30060&cid=52&p=24.07.2008 (in English)

Russian adventures to overfly Mount Elbrus in hot-air balloon

Russian adventures started preparations for a daring adventure to overfly Mount Elbrus on a three-ton hot air balloon. The flight is to take place before September. At 5,642 metres (18,510 feet), Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain peak in Europe. It towers over the Main Caucasus Range close to Russia’s border with Georgia. 

25 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30137&cid=52&p=25.07.2008 (in English)

Antarctic sailing feat honoured

Fyodor Konyukhov, Russian yachtsman and adventurer

The World Sailing Speed Record Council has registered a groundbreaking event in sailing around the Antarctic region. The 102 day, 1 hour, 35 minute and fifty second record was set by a Russian adventurer, Fyodor Konyukhov. The World Sailing Speed Record Council brings together representatives of Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. 

25 July 2008

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30117&cid=87&p=25.07.2008 (in English)

Voice of Russia World Service

Valuev to fight Ruiz for WBA title in Berlin on 30 August

Nikolai Valuev (1973- ), “The Beast from the East”, Russian heavyweight boxing champion

Russia’s Nikolai Valuev is to fight John Ruiz for the vacant WBA heavyweight title in Berlin on 30 August 30, the Russian boxer said on his website on Tuesday. The right to promote the fight was won by Sauerland Event with an offer of 2,106,401 dollars (49,230,804 roubles. 1,341,145 euros. 1,056,781 UK pounds). “Berlin is very special to me. That is where I defeated Ruiz in 2005 to become world champion. Fighting in the Max Schmeling Halle again will be like a home match”, Valuev said.

Valuev, 34, became the first Russian world heavyweight champion in December 2005 when he defeated Ruiz. In April 2007, he lost his title to Ruslan “White Tyson” Chagaev from Uzbekistan. Since then, Chagaev has held one title defence bout, and a torn Achilles tendon caused the second postponement of a mandatory challenge bout against Valuev. On 4 July, the WBA decided to sanction a bout with the Russian’s closest contender, the Puerto Rican-American Ruiz. Chagaev is currently what the WBA calls a “champion in recess”, and the winner of the Valuev-Ruiz bout will have to face Chagaev before 26 June 2009, if the Uzbek manages to make a return to fitness by then.

22 July 2008

http://en.rian.ru/sports/20080722/114606060.html (in English)

Guus Hiddink to sign new improved contract with Russia

Guus Hiddink (1946- ), Dutch coach of the Russian National Football Team, an inspirational and charismatic field leader. Na mnogaya lyeta, Guus!

The Russian national side’s Dutch trainer, Guus Hiddink, is set to sign a new improved contract, a top Russian football official said on Wednesday. “Hiddink has proposed a plan for the development of football in Russia. Taking this in account, the terms of his contract will be improved”, said Sergei Kapkov, the chairman of the National Football Academy and vice-president of the Russian Football Union. The National Football Academy was set up by Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich.

Kapkov said that Hiddink’s new contract would see him earn more than his compatriot Dick Advocaat, the trainer of Russian champions FC Zenit St Petersburg. Advocaat is thought to earn around 4.5 million dollars (105.174 million roubles. 2.865 million euros. 2.258 million UK pounds) a year. He also said that the National Football Academy would pay the bulk of Hiddink’s salary. Hiddink announced on Wednesday that he would sign a new contract in “the next 10 days”, adding that he enjoyed working in Russia, and that he wanted to assist in the further development of the sport in the largest country on earth. His previous contract expired on 14 July. Hiddink led Russia to joint third place at Euro 2008, and has been credited with inspiring a football revival in Russia. Pre-Hiddink, Russia had failed to get out of their group at every major tournament they had qualified for.

23 July 2008

http://en.rian.ru/sports/20080723/114768963.html (in English)

Russian cosmonaut and FC Zenit fan gives club captain ‘cosmic’ gift

A Russian cosmonaut has returned to the captain of FC Zenit St Petersburg a team shirt that recently spent some five months on board the International Space Station, the club’s website reported. Yuri Malenchenko, a longtime FC Zenit fan, blasted off on a six-month mission to the International Space Centre on 10 October last year. “Before leaving, I’d been talking with a friend about Zenit’s success, and he suggested I take a club symbol with me. I took a club scarf. After Zenit won the title in November, Anatoly Timoshchuk sent me his top on a cargo spacecraft”, Malenchenko said at a press-conference on Thursday. “Lots of expeditions visited us while I was on board the International Space Centre and all of them signed the shirt”.

The top will be displayed in the new FC Zenit club museum. In return, club captain Timoshchuk gave the cosmonaut the gold top and boots he wore during the team’s title celebrations. “The support we had both in the stadium and beyond it helped us lift the title”, said the FC Zenit captain, adding that, “I’d love to go to space myself, to look down on our planet. I guess everyone has the same dream. It takes years of preparation though”.

The 2007 season saw FC Zenit, sponsored by energy giant Gazprom, win the Russian league title for the first time, ending 11 years of domination by Moscow-based clubs. FC Zenit’s only previous title success came in 1984, when they lifted the USSR Championship. The club also won the UEFA Cup in May, beating FC Glasgow Rangers in the final in Manchester.

25 July 2008

http://en.rian.ru/sports/20080725/114891747.html (in English)

China to have largest ever delegation at Beijing 2008 Olympics

Chinese President Hu Jintao (1942- ) meets with Chinese Olympians

China’s largest-ever Olympic delegation will be presented at this year’s Games from 8 to 24 August, the official site of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games reported Friday. The 1,099-member delegation includes 639 athletes and ensures that China will be represented in all 28 Olympic events and 38 disciplines. The average age of the athletes is 24.2, and the 29th Olympiad will be the Olympic debut for 469 Chinese athletes. China’s will also be the largest team of athletes, surpassing the 596 athletes sent by the United States.

25 July 2008

http://en.rian.ru/sports/20080725/114892360.html (in English)

Editor’s Note:

Good luck to the Chinese and Russian Olympians at the games! I believe that they shall hand the overconfident and arrogant Americans a well-deserved defeat. The snotty comments I have heard regarding the Chinese and Russians in the loud Western media have to be paid back, in full, with interest.

RIA-Novosti