Comrade Yastrebkov
13th November 2005, 16:35
This small article was in The Independent yesterday:
"Boris Berezovsky, the UK-based Russian oligarch, has embarassed the Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko by claiming to have heavily financed last year's Orange Revolution.
Mr Berezovsky said he gave significant funds to Mr Yuschenko's closest associates and he is furious those aides are now denying they took his money. He has also said he wants to know how his monet was spent and is threatening to sue the aides unless they make a personal apology and admit they took his cash. Ukrainian and Russian media claim he gave about $21m (£12m)
Mr Yuschenko's team fear an admission would spoil the public's perception of the event as a spontaneous display of people power. Me Berezovsky's involvement would also confirm a belief that the revolution was aimed at damaging neighbouring Russia's interests. The oligarch is wanted in Russia on various white-collar charges (which he fiercely denies) and is regarded by the Kremlin as an enemy.
In Russian eyes, the revolution was a calculated blow to the nation's prestige. Mr Yuschenko defeated pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych after his supporters proved the rival camp had rigged the election and Moscow lost a great deal of influence.".
At, last we have an element of truth in a mainstream newspaper. On what was the money spent? Yuschenko's son is renowned for owning the best cars, eating in the finest restaurants and gambling in the most prestigious casinos alongside celebrities.
What are your opinions on this, and the Orange "Revolution" in general?
"Boris Berezovsky, the UK-based Russian oligarch, has embarassed the Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko by claiming to have heavily financed last year's Orange Revolution.
Mr Berezovsky said he gave significant funds to Mr Yuschenko's closest associates and he is furious those aides are now denying they took his money. He has also said he wants to know how his monet was spent and is threatening to sue the aides unless they make a personal apology and admit they took his cash. Ukrainian and Russian media claim he gave about $21m (£12m)
Mr Yuschenko's team fear an admission would spoil the public's perception of the event as a spontaneous display of people power. Me Berezovsky's involvement would also confirm a belief that the revolution was aimed at damaging neighbouring Russia's interests. The oligarch is wanted in Russia on various white-collar charges (which he fiercely denies) and is regarded by the Kremlin as an enemy.
In Russian eyes, the revolution was a calculated blow to the nation's prestige. Mr Yuschenko defeated pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych after his supporters proved the rival camp had rigged the election and Moscow lost a great deal of influence.".
At, last we have an element of truth in a mainstream newspaper. On what was the money spent? Yuschenko's son is renowned for owning the best cars, eating in the finest restaurants and gambling in the most prestigious casinos alongside celebrities.
What are your opinions on this, and the Orange "Revolution" in general?