From Russia with love

Stories keep hitting the press that should make folks question just how much the Russians have changed since the wall was knocked down. First, we had allegations of nefarious dealings between Putin and Ukraine regarding the poisoning of Victor Yushenko. Now we have farce elections in Belarus.

But on top of that, documents keep trickling out suggesting that Moscow was just a bit too cozy with Uncle Saddam.

The latest docs are well-covered by The Captain. In my view they certainly bolster the view that Moscow helped Saddam move his WMDs before the invasion. After all, if they would turn over American war plans they're certainly capable of hiding weapons. Factor in the Oil For Food payola and you have an insta-motive.

Surely the administration knew this, and surely they knew the revelation would hurt Russia's position regards Iran. Fairly crafty fellers, I'd say.


NYET 3/25/06

Based on the manner in which the Iraqi documents are being released to the public, anything emerging of an embarrassing nature to a foreign government will simply be denied. The US Government will probably not take a position on most of this stuff, since they've moved it from intelligence to the public domain.

Therefore it's no surprise the Russians have denied the report about them supplying Saddam our war plans.

It's hard to say whether the Kremlin was involved or just a few of the Oil for Food rascals, but this comment certainly sounds rational:

"The leak about Russian spies in Doha can be interpreted as pressure on Moscow, which has taken a tough, principled position on the Iranian nuclear question," it said.

Nothing of this nature gets released by accident.

.....

Speaking of accidents, remember the 'hapless' lawyer who violated the judge's rules almost ruining the Moussaoui death penalty case? Her time in the spotlight is over. The defense had subpoenaed her,

But Judge Leonie M. Brinkema yesterday quashed the subpoena, according to a brief notation on the court docket, which said a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday had been canceled. The docket did not offer an explanation. Attorneys for Moussaoui and Martin declined to comment because the matter remains under a court seal.

The woman was literally swept under the courthouse rug, and will now disappear back into the TSA. The lingering question we probably won't get an answer to is-- will she be fired or will her superiors offer their congratulations?