Berezovsky: 'I am plotting a new Russian revolution' (Guardian)

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

'I am plotting a new Russian revolution'

London exile Berezovsky says force necessary
to bring down President Putin

Ian Cobain, Matthew Taylor and Luke Harding in Moscow
Friday April 13, 2007
The Guardian

The Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky has told the Guardian he is plotting
the violent overthrow of President Putin from his base in Britain after
forging close contacts with members of Russia's ruling elite.

In comments which appear calculated to enrage the Kremlin, and which will
further inflame relations between London and Moscow, the multimillionaire
claimed he was already bankrolling people close to the president who are
conspiring to mount a palace coup.

"We need to use force to change this regime," he said. "It isn't possible
to change this regime through democratic means. There can be no change
without force, pressure." Asked if he was effectively fomenting a
revolution, he said: "You are absolutely correct."

-snip-

Last night the Kremlin denounced Mr Berezovsky's comments as a criminal
offence which it believed should undermine his refugee status in the UK.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/russia/article/0,,2056321,00.html

[originalpckelly]

1. OH MY GOD! A nation with nuclear weapons is about to have a fucking coup!

That's what I think is most important here. :scared:

[Igel]

3. It depends.

Does Birch-boy (Berezovsky) actually mean it? It sounds rather stupid to say that people close to Putin in the Russian government are plotting a coup. Unless Birchie intends to unsettle Putin. Or perhaps he believes that Putin will think he's just trying to unnerve him, so that really Berezovsky is telling the truth. Or maybe Berezovsky figures Putin will assume ...

On the other hand, when Gorbachev was axed it amounted to a coup, and then with the disintegration of the Soviet power structure it amounted to a lot of little coups--the nuclear arsenal was scattered among several new nations.

If there is a coup and the military disagrees, there will be an uncoup. And if the military doesn't disagree too much, it'll still be the same guys in charge of the army, at least as far as nuclear armaments go.

Given the unrest in Pakistan, I'm a tad more concerned about there (although it's not like I'm even close to losing sleep over it).

[htuttle]

2. It might be a good idea for Mr. Berezovsky to peruse Russian history...

...and perhaps rethink the wisdom of announcing to the media that he intends to "plot a new Russian revolution". Whether or not he actually means it or if this is just another route toward enriching his own already quite healthy pocketbook.

[bemildred]

4. Sounds like an useful idiot. nt