US Senators Call For “Magnitsky List” Expansion

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On Friday, a group of senior US Senators asked the Obama administration to expand a blacklist of alleged Russian human rights abusers, inflaming tensions between Washington and Moscow. US Senators Robert Menendez (D–NJ), Bob Corker (R–TN), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), and John McCain (R-AZ) said in a statement that they’re disappointed that no one suffered sanctions since April under the Magnitsky Act, an American law punishing alleged Russian human rights violations. According to a published statement, the senators requested US Secretary of State John Kerry and US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, “We look forward to your response to our request and hope you’ll also clarify when we can expect additional names to be added to the Magnitsky list”.

President Obama signed the Magnitsky Act in December 2012; it introduced visa and financial sanctions on those Washington deemed complicit in the 2009 death of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in a Moscow jail, as well as other purported abuses {using no evidence whatsoever but hearsay from hostile parties: editor}. In April, Washington released the names of 18 officials targeted by the Magnitsky Act sanctions and said that a handful of other Russians were on a classified sanctions list in the interests of US national security. The law requires the President to give an annual report to Congress explaining why it added or removed names from the blacklist. The report is also required to include details of the administration’s efforts to encourage other countries to enact similar legislation.

The four senators, all members of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said in their request Friday that the inaugural report submitted by the administration on 20 December dissatisfied them, saying, “Disappointingly and contrary to repeated assurances and expectations, this report indicates that no persons have been added to the Magnitsky list since April 2013 and doesn’t provide adequate details on the administration’s efforts to encourage other governments to impose similar targeted sanctions”. On Wednesday, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland told a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing that the administration is examining possible additions to the list, saying, “We’re continuing to look at names that could be added to the list, and we’ll continue that process in the weeks ahead”. The Magnitsky Act incensed Russia, which responded in part by banning US citizens from adopting Russian children. In response, Moscow issued its own blacklist of 18 American officials it linked to the infamous Guantánamo Bay detention camp, or to alleged rights violations against Russians abroad.

18 January 2014

RIA-Novosti

http://en.ria.ru/world/20140118/186648078/US-Senators-Call-For-Magnitsky-List-Expansion.html

Editor’s Note:

McCain acted as a lobbyist for the Georgian government (as did his foreign policy wonk Scheunemann) and is a general supporter of American warmongering throughout the world… that explains that one. Menendez is of Cuban background, described as “close with Republicans on several foreign policy issues”, a warmonger, and supporter of the PATRIOT Act… sounds much like McCain, doesn’t he? Corker is anti-union, anti-arms control, against financial regulation, a gun nutter, and another warmonger… hmm… they all seem the same despite seeming political differences, aren’t they (they’re all cut from the same piece of mouldy neoliberal cloth).

Cardin’s more difficult to pigeonhole. He’s left of centre on almost all issues. However, he’s a vociferous member of the Israel Lobby, and they tend to Russophobia. Why he’d join forces with the Terrible Trio above is beyond me. Can’t he see that he’s joining himself with an evil ideology? Sadly, facts and logic won’t move him (and those like him). He believes the fairy tales about Cossacks constantly abusing Jews… one can’t fight that, only oppose it (it’s one of those bigoted emotional illogical hatreds). In fact, I’d say that one of the reasons that Russia gets “bad press” is that many American Jews are Russophobic. That doesn’t mean that one “retaliates”… it means that one’s aware of it and takes reasonable precautions to protect oneself against any possible fallout. Do be aware that the more feral Russophobes don’t “fight fair”… do cover your back if you interact with them, either online or in person. I’d say to leave them be… the risks far outnumber the positives. Pass the truth to those who’ll listen… trust me; that DOES do good.

BMD

 

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21 September 2013. You Can’t Make Up Shit Like This… US Senator McCain Slams Putin in Pravda Op-Ed for Corruption, Repression, and Bigotry

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Editor’s Foreword:

As a matter of putting the record straight, John McCain and his main foreign policy wonk, Randall Scheunemann, are lobbyists for the Georgian government. Mr McCain also refused to make his W2Gs public in the 2008 election (these indicate gambling winnings… Mr McCain is a known compulsive and wild gambler). On top of that, he refused to make public the extent of his gambling losses. In other words, Mr McCain is a typical corrupt and dishonest US Congressman, unworthy of any decent person’s respect or attention.

BMD

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In response to President Putin’s piece in an American newspaper last week, in an op-ed published on a Russian news website, Pravda.ru {an internet tab… even KP is higher class: editor}, US Senator John McCain, well-known for his vociferous criticism of the Russian leadership, slammed President Putin and the Russian government for corruption, repression, and bigotry {all of which typify the US Republican Party… fancy that: editor}. In an article entitled Russians Deserve Better than Putin {this from a man who chose the clueless Sarah Palin as his running mate: editor}, McCain, who says that he isn’t anti-Russian but “more pro-Russian than the régime that misrules you today” {a perfect description of the states of Florida and Arizona… both ruled by the Republicans: editor} criticised Putin and his associates for disrespecting human dignity, punishing dissent, rigging elections, controlling media, and perpetuating their power by fostering rampant corruption {again, a perfect description of the Bush junta: editor}. He condemned Putin for the death of whistle-blower Sergei Magnitsky {giving no plausible evidence: editor} and for destroying Russia’s economy and global reputation by allying it with “some of the world’s most offensive and threatening tyrannies” {like the USA supporting Saudi Arabia, Kosovo, and the Islamist junta in Afghanistan: editor} and supporting a Syrian government “that’s murdering tens of thousands of its own people to remain in power and by blocking the UN from even condemning its atrocities {like the USA using drones in Pakistan and the Bush lies about WMDs in Iraq: editor}”.

McCain claimed that Putin rules “by corruption, repression, and violence {that’s exactly what McCain’s pal Joe Arpaio does in Phoenix… fancy that: editor}. He rules for himself, not you”. McCain submitted his piece to Pravda.ru following an invitation prompted by his interview with CNN last Thursday in which the senior Republican senator slammed Putin’s op-ed in the New York Times criticising Washington’s push for military action in Syria. McCain, who had earlier called Putin’s piece “an insult to the intelligence of every American” {just as McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin was an even worse insult to the intelligence of every American: editor}, joked, “I’d love to have a commentary in Pravda”. The original Pravda was the official newspaper of the USSR, but closed down after the breakup of that state. Both Pravda.ru and a new print publication called Pravda claim to be the legitimate heirs to the original publication.

McCain said on Jake Tapper’s show on CNN, The Lead, “We have to remember who Putin is. He’s a KGB colonel apparatchik, who’s never abandoned Russian ambitions for an empire and influence in the world” {McCain is a failed naval officer, whose father and grandfather were admirals, but who couldn’t get beyond Captain himself due to his known recklessness and gambling addiction: editor}. Presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov said that Putin hasn’t yet read McCain’s piece, published in both Russian and English, but he definitely will, adding, however, that he’s unlikely to respond. Peskov said in an interview with Russkaya Sluzhba Novostei radio, “McCain is well-known for not being a fan of Putin. Entering into polemics is unlikely… it’s the opinion of a person who lives across the ocean. As for what Russians deserve, they’re able to answer that question themselves, and they do just that when they go to the polls. I don’t think the opinion of anyone across the ocean will play a role in the Russian people expressing their political preferences”.

19 September 2013

RIA-Novosti

http://www.en.rian.ru/russia/20130919/183586359/US-Senator-McCain-Slams-Putin-in-Pravda-Op-Ed.html

Editor’s Note:

Let’s keep this simple. John McCain wasn’t bothered in the least when his Georgian paymasters bombarded sleeping civilians in Tskhinval with Grad rockets during the 2008 South Ossetia War. In fact, he lauded them then, and continues to do so. Evil is evil… and John McCain cooperates with it, partly, because he’s not very bright, and, partly, because he needs a great deal of money to cover his gambling debts, which makes him a corrupt “gun for hire for the highest bidder”. Read his expostulations in the light of those facts…

John McCain isn’t a coward… he’s brave enough for two men. Unfortunately, he’s reckless, not overly bright, a poor judge of people, a reckless gambler (which was why he was shot down, I believe), and a corrupt politician of the worst ward-heeler sort (as his support of the Georgian junta indicates). He was “the wrong man for the job”… and Pravda.ru allowed him to expostulate. McCain wasn’t bright enough to realise that he was used… crank world, ain’t it? John McCain’s not a statesman, nor is he a moral paragon, but the Russian media used him… as I say, he wasn’t bright enough to realise that keeping his mouth shut was the wisest course.

BMD

US Congressman Denied Russian Visa, Cites Magnitsky Row: It was the Republican Slimer Invited to Mollard’s Installation!

THIS is what Chris Smith and his ilk support… any questions? Do you really want to associate the Church with such godless greed and grasping injustice? Think on it…

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On Wednesday, Foreign Policy reported on its website that the Russian government denied a senior US lawmaker a Russian visa, in what he said was likely a retaliatory move for the Magnitsky Act, an American law sanctioning Russian officials accused of human rights abuses. Foreign Policy quoted US Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) as saying, “I was shocked. During the worst days of the Soviet Union, I went there repeatedly. The Magnitsky bill is the reason I didn’t get the visa. This is the first time”. The report noted that Smith said that he was planning a trip to discuss the Magnitsky legislation, which he voted in favour of last year, as well as other issues with Russian officials. Smith’s office didn’t return calls for comment on Wednesday.

The law is named for Sergei Magnitsky, a whistle-blowing tax attorney who died in a Russian pre-trial detention facility in 2009. It allows the USA to deny visas to Russian officials deemed by the White House to be complicit in human rights abuses, as well as to freeze their US assets. US President Barack Obama signed the bill into law in December, angering officials in Moscow, who shortly thereafter banned US citizens from adopting Russian children.

Foreign Policy quoted Smith as saying, “I was going over to talk about adoption and human trafficking. They have legitimate concerns that we have to meet. I’m disappointed, but I’m determined to have it reversed. So, I’m going to reapply”. The Russian Embassy in Washington DC said that it didn’t comment on issues regarding visas. Foreign Policy noted that Smith said that he met with the Russian Ambassador to the USA, Sergei Kislyak, and that the diplomat informed him that Moscow had made the decision. Smith is a member of the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs, where he is the chairman of the subcommittee on human rights. He has travelled to Russia repeatedly since being elected to the US Congress in 1980 and has been a vocal critic of the Kremlin during his time in office.

27 February 2013

RIA-Novosti

http://en.rian.ru/world/20130228/179725770/US-Official-Denied-Russian-Visa-Cites-Magnitsky-Row-Report——.html

Editor’s Note:

The OCA invited this POS slimmer to Mollard’s installation! No lie… it did. He’s a fanatical RC who supports papist proselytising in Russia. He’s also a foe of the Rodina and wants to export American consumerism and rightwing neoliberal madness to Russia. Of course, the Russian government denied such a nasty piece of work a visa. Thank God, for VVP… he’s got his head screwed on right! Oh… Smith is a “Pro-Lifer”… that shows us that we shouldn’t get mixed up with that vile movement. The rightwing politicians in it are enemies of our faith and of our homelands. That’s how Satan works… he baits his traps with objectively-good things. We should do good things such as support unwed mothers and support politicians who uphold the social safety net (not those who want to rip it up to benefit the rich), not do stupid things like parade in marches with placards and block the streets so that we can have “feel good” feelings about ourselves. God called us to do good, not to do things that make us feel good.

Reflect on this… Potapov, Paffhausen, Freddie M-G, and all the rest of the konvertsy support filth like Smith… it’s their politics, y’ know. They aren’t one with us, and it’s about time somebody said so. I’d like to know who invited Smith to the OCA shindig. Who wants to bet that it was Mollard himself? If so, that would tell you volumes about his (lack) of character. Whomever was responsible has the duty to apologise publicly for inviting such an enemy of Christ’s Church. It does take all kinds, but sometimes it’s too much of a muchness. This is one such case. We shouldn’t be inviting our sworn enemies to our affairs… that’s simply good sense, isn’t it? What a buncha maroons.

The Americans do howl when the shoe pinches their foot. Now, they know how others feel when the Americans make groundless and inane denunciations (except this case is well-founded and well-grounded). Smith doesn’t deserve a visa… he’s a troublemaker, a foe of Russian civilisation, and an enemy of Orthodoxy (I attend to his actions, not his statements). It’s about time such pigs paid for their activities… VVP’s not perfect, but he’s no Yeltsin. I hope that this is only the first in a long line of refusals to the Rodina’s enemies. As I said, it’s high time…

BMD 

Russian Orthodox Church Supports Law Banning Americans from Adopting Russian Kids

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Despite a wave of criticism from civil society groups and members of the Russian government, the MP backed the controversial “anti- Magnitsky bill” that President Vladimir Putin signed into law last Friday. As of 1 January, the new law bans adoptions of Russian children by American citizens. The new Russian law was in response to an American law, the Magnitsky Act, which imposes sanctions on Russian officials suspected of involvement in human rights violations. In 2009, lawyer and auditor Sergei Magnitsky died in a Moscow prison under suspicious circumstances after exposing fraud involving the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The case of Dima Yaklovev inspired the Russian law; it was named for a Russian-born toddler who died after his American adoptive father forgot him in his car. An American court eventually found the father not guilty in the child’s death. The law also targeted American-funded Russian NGOs involved in political activities and foreigners involved in violating the human rights of Russians abroad. Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, chairman of the MP Department for Church and Society, said the law was “a search for a social answer to an elementary question… why should we give, and even sell, our children abroad?” Speaking to Interfax, Chaplin said the path to heaven would be closed to children adopted by foreigners, pointing up, “They won’t get a truly Christian upbringing”.

For the critics of the Russian Orthodox Church, its support for the law is the latest example of its submission to the Kremlin, in which it acts more like a government ministry than an independent spiritual body. Patriarch Kirill hasn’t spoken on the matter since the controversy broke out. Once Putin signs the bill into law, the patriarch said the Church would set aside an unspecified amount of money to help orphans and families in difficulty. Human rights activists are critical of the law, echoed even by some Russian government figures, including Putin loyalist Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov. Besides the ban, the law calls for an improvement in the conditions of orphans. It’d also provide incentives to Russian couples to adopt.

However, the problem in Russia is cultural. Adoption is seen as something to hide. In addition, only very young and healthy children are prized because of biases against alleged “genetic defects” passed on by poor families. The anti-Magnitsky law also stops adoption procedures already underway. Thus, 52 Russian children ready to leave for the USA will remain in Russia. The New York Times slammed the Russia law for upending the plans of American couples in the final stages of adopting in Russia. Already, it has cost many of them 50,000 USD (1.53 million Roubles. 38,000 Euros. 31,000 UK Pounds) or more, at a wrenching emotional price. American adoption agency officials said that the law would affect about 200 to 250 sets of parents who’d already identified children they planned to adopt.

UNICEF estimates that there are about 740,000 children outside parental custody in Russia, whilst about 18,000 Russians are on the waiting list to adopt a child. The USA is the biggest destination for adopted Russian children… Americans took in more than 60,000 of them over the past two decades.

31 December 2012

Nina Achmatova

AsiaNews

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Russian-Orthodox-Church-for-law-banning-US-adoptions-26740.html

Editor’s Note:

Fr Vsevolod is right by pointing up, “They won’t get a truly Christian upbringing”. That’s right… the sectarians… Evangelicals, Pentecostalists, Mormons, and all the rest of the American Sects… aren’t Christian in the least. Look at their “services”… I rest my case. Lex orandi, lex credendi… “How one worships is how one believes”. “Three hymns and a lecture” do NOT make Christian worship. This was one of the most disgusting aspects of the economic collapse of the Nasty Nineties… the Americans stealing Russian kids to raise them as godless sectarians. That’s going to end, thank God. VVP isn’t perfect, but he’s right in this case. Ponder this… all too many of the konvertsy (Josiah Trenham and Freddie M-G are good examples) are indifferentist towards sectarians and sectarianism. That speaks volumes of their depth, doesn’t it? Rather, the lack of same, wot? Shitbirds of a feather do flock together…

OH, yes, the reason that these adoptions cost 50 Gs is that American lawyers wax fat on the sorrow of childless couples. I’m certain that a very cold corner of hell awaits such soulless brutes.

BMD