Word: litvinenko
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...CORRECTION: The November 30 op-ed, "A Plot Too Linear," mistakenly identified the death of Alexander Litvinenko as occurring on November 26, 2006. Actually, Litvinenko died on November 23, 2006. The Crimson regrets this error...
...Coming in the wake of the recent killings of former KGB man Alexander Litvinenko in London and of journalist Ana Politkovskaya in Moscow, Gaidar's episode suggests that Russian political life may be reacquiring some traditional dark patterns. All of the incidents, after all, are taking place against the backdrop of the start of a fierce struggle over who will succeed Putin, whose second (and constitutionally mandated last) term as president will end in 17 months...
...Anatoly Chubais, Gaidar's fellow reformer of the '90s and now head of Russia's electricity monopoly, sees a link between Gaidar's illness and murders of journalist Anna Politkovskaya and Litvinenko. "The deadly triangle - Politkovskaya, Litvinenko and Gaidar - would have been quite desirable for some people who are seeking an unconstitutional and forceful change of power of Russia," Chubais said, hastening to disclaim any state's involvement. Hence, the Russian media interpreted his statement as a hint at the oligarch Boris Berezovsky, once Putin's key ally, now an exile in London, who has been accused by Putin supporters...
...Whatever the agenda of those behind the killings, the effect may be more devastating than they intend. Says former KGB General and now a dissenting Duma member Alexei Kondaurov: "The Litvinenko murder landmarks the precedent of nuclear terrorism. Unless it is resolved, terrorists of any mettle will know they can get away with it." Putin's failure to help resolve that crime will also further institutionalize violence as a tool of political struggle, he believes. "Then, both the state, factions within the state, and opposition forces will habitually resort to murder as a political expediency. This will smash the country...
...Gaidar's poisoning after the Politkovskaya-Litvinenko murders adds to gloomy apprehensions. The political atmosphere in Moscow is becoming increasingly fraught with tension as the next round of elections draws near. Until the country has resolved its political succession, few are expecting a respite from such strange and ugly events...