Soros says"He (Khodorkovsky) led the way from 'robber capitalism'

[Classical_Liberal]

Russia may be heading for ``state capitalism`` - Soros
Russian businessmen may have to take their orders from the state after the arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the nation's richest tycoon, billionaire financier George Soros was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

"Russia may now be entering a phase of state capitalism, where all the owners of capital realise that they are dependent on the state," Soros told Yevgeny Kiselyev, editor of Moskovsky Novosti, a weekly acquired recently by Khodorkovsky. "Persecution of Khodorkovsky... sends an unmistakeable message, that nobody can be independent of the state," Soros said.

Khodorkovsky stood down as YUKOS chief executive on Monday after prosecutors froze his shares in the company last week, effectively preventing him from negotiating their sale to another company. The assault on Khodorkovsky and some of his associates, who make up a group of core shareholders in the company, is widely believed to have been orchestrated by Kremlin hardliners apparently alarmed by Khodorkovsky's political ambitions.

http://www.gateway2russia.com/st/art_163717.php

[J B]

1. Gee, businessmen have to be accountable to the govt.

What a horrible, horrible concept! ...

[Classical_Liberal]

2. I would like them to crack down on oligarchs

but this may very well be a bad one to crack down on. It may indicate Putin doesn't intend to crack down on them. This oligarch appears to be funding progressive parties to challenge Putin. When I say progressive, I mean they are for progressive taxation and a more generous western european style safetynet. This particular oligarch appears to be a progressive. He maybe a Russian version of Martha Stewart.

Soros is funding the Democrats in this country. Here is another quote from the article.

The oil magnate's arrest also appeared to have electoral appeal, said Soros. Most Russians live in poverty and only a relatively small minority, mostly in Moscow and St Petersburg, hav enjoyed improved living standards in recent years. "Undoubtedly, this may be very popular with the electorate, since people harbour justified resentment against the oligarchs. But Khodorkovsky was the most enlightened among them."

[Classical_Liberal]

3. Right wing Italian leader Berlusconi is supporting Putin against

Khodorkovsky. What does that tell you?

http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/031107130821.l70jzrdi

[knowledgeispower]

6. No, no, no, no, no.

This oligarch appears to be funding progressive parties to challenge Putin. When I say progressive, I mean they are for progressive taxation and a more generous western european style safetynet. This particular oligarch appears to be a progressive. He maybe a Russian version of Martha Stewart.

The oligarch is funding Putin's opponents because they want to steal the state power from Putin. This has nothing to do with advocating progressive values. They are just using that smokescreen as the means to oust Putin so they themselves can grab ALL of the power.

[liberalhistorian]

4. Well, to our own robber baron

capitalists in this country, it certainly is a horrible concept. Poor babies, can't do whatever they want for the almighty buck.

[knowledgeispower]

7. There are no good guys in this

Not Putin, not Khodorkovsky, not Soros...nobody. They are all just jockeying to get in the best position to fuck the masses. Bunch of crooks.

[bemildred]

5. Pooty-poot does not want the oil sold out from under him.

That is what this is about.
Khodorkovsky is a fool or a tool (or both).