Meanwhile, in foreign Democracy news
This isn’t breaking — it was on the radio when I woke up this morning — but they’re two important stories nevertheless, such that we shouldn’t ignore them.
Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party had a sweeping victory in a rigged election, which ‘mandate’ he appears set to use to become Russia’s God-King. Bizarrely, election to the Russian Parliament is the new and exciting way to avoid any chance of prosecution for political assassination.
Meanwhile, in Venezuala, Hugo Chavez experienced a narrow defeat in a referendum to change the Venezualan Constitution to, amongst other things, enable Hugo Chavez to remain in power for as long as he could hold it. Interestingly, and with thanks to our reader Weltschmerz for the link, it seems that Chavez is accepting defeat. At least for now…
Interesting times.
From the Economist:
The irony is that United Russia [Putin] would have won anyway—Mr Putin who has presided over economic growth is genuinely popular. Perhaps it would have got 50%, maybe the turn-out would only have been 40%.
So, not soo horrible. Fact is, Putin has been very good for Russia, although those who used to consider Russia their personal playground are not too happy.
I also think England should turn over the criminal oligarchs they are harboring to face justice in their own country. How would the US feel if England was harboring Kenneth Lay or Jeffrey Skilling with the billions they took out of Enron Corp?
Comment by daveg — 12/3/2007 @ 2:56 pm
I think our law prohibits them from being returned to a country where we would consider their safety to be in jeapody.
Obviously, that means we could also not deport anyone to a US state where they would face teh death penalty.
Comment by Mark — 12/3/2007 @ 3:10 pm
That is actually true, I think. If the relevant authority doesn’t agree to waive the death penalty, I don’t think that any EU country will deport them to face trial.
Comment by Adam — 12/3/2007 @ 3:43 pm
Additionally, there are concerns about whether a fair trial would be on offer for the individuals in question, were they sent back to Russia. That will also prevent extradition.
I can’t imagine that UK-Russian extradition is at a high point at the moment, given that the Russians won’t even consider extraditing the number 1 suspect in the Litvinenko murder.
Comment by Adam — 12/3/2007 @ 3:45 pm
Regarding Russia, who refused first? Can you really blame Russia then?
Also, Spanish news is reporting that Chavez has now won by seven – yes seven – votes.
I have not seen anything on the English speaking news yet, so this may not be accurate.
Comment by daveg — 12/3/2007 @ 5:13 pm
I think our law prohibits them from being returned to a country where we would consider their safety to be in jeapody.
What are you talking about? The ones convicted in Russia are very much alive and serving time.
Comment by daveg — 12/3/2007 @ 5:15 pm
As I said, there is also the issue of a fair trial; I am not sure that most countries would extradite someone to face a trial expected to be unfair or, at least, they’re probably not supposed to.
So far as extradition is concerned, I don’t know that Russia has made claims for extradition — in any case, I am not sure how much they even care, so long as they can seize assets and renationalise companies sold for bugger all in controversial (to say the least) circumstances.
I am not entirely sure that a murder trial (not just any murder, either, but an assassination of someone who has been a critic of the Russian government) is the same as corruption investigations. The latter are clearly important, too, but the former is a different class of event.
Comment by Adam — 12/3/2007 @ 5:22 pm
That report wasn’t accurate. I saw in on the “local news” and I would say it was my bad Spanish except a Spaniard with me heard the same thing.
It was plausible in that I have seen many SA elections change when a bunch of votes were “found” at the last minute.
Comment by daveg — 12/4/2007 @ 4:42 am
It has happened in US votes too, hasn’t it, the old ‘magically appearing’ votes?
I guess that any close election is subject to that sort of stuff.
Comment by Adam — 12/4/2007 @ 8:06 am