Russia to Evacuate Over 800 from Iraq

Reuters ^ | Wed Apr 14, 2004

[yonif]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will send planes to evacuate more than 800 of its nationals and citizens of ex-Soviet states from Iraq on Thursday and Friday, the emergencies ministry said on Wednesday.

"Seven flights will be made from Kuwait and Baghdad to fly out 553 Russians and 263 citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States working in Iraq," a ministry spokesman said.

Three Russians and five Ukrainians were kidnapped in Iraq on Monday and freed within 19 hours.

[bayourod]

Russia must not have heard Kerry's response to Bush's press conference. He has called for more participation by other countries in the reconstruction of Iraq.

[GeronL]

just surrender why don't they?

[MJY1288]

What a pathetic response by Putin. This will not go over to well with the Russian people. But IMHO, the Russians, Germans and French have no business there to begin with, they were on Saddam's payroll and complicit in the Oil for Food scandal and should not be allowed to profit from the rebuilding of Iraq. I say we contract the eastern block nations recently accepted into NATO for these contracts if they want them, they seem to appreciate freedom more that Russia, France or Germany

[BurbankKarl]

No kidding...but then again, are there any Russian divisions just sitting around?

Do they still have Spetznatz? Remember the rescue job they did on the theatre...they killed almost all the hostages.

[MJY1288]

Yea, but surrendering to the demands of the terrorists is cowardly and will only embolden the terrorists. I would expect that kind of response from the French, but not Russia

[yonif]

Ping.

[BurbankKarl]

of course, this does make a good time to bug all the embassies

[Cap Huff]

This sends a powerful message, but I don't have the key to really understand it.

[EGPWS]

Yea, but surrendering to the demands of the terrorists is cowardly and will only embolden the terrorists. I would expect that kind of response from the French, but not Russia

Well, the Spanish capitulated also, so where do you think the terrorists of the world are going to attempt to perform their satanic deeds now?

Russia? Spain? France? USA?

After Dubya's speech tonight, and our steadfast refusal to capitulate to the terrorists, me thinks that the US could be on the bottom of the terrorists list for possible strikes.

After all these scavengers seek out the weak and lame to promote their hellish agenda.

[Finalapproach29er]

Interesting to see Russia's response if one of their airplanes gets smoked on final into the airport. Dangerous missle threat.

[Mo1]

Russie running with their tails between their legs???

Ok .. What's really up?

[Mo1]

Yea, but surrendering to the demands of the terrorists is cowardly and will only embolden the terrorists. I would expect that kind of response from the French, but not Russia

EXACTLY

So what really up because this smells

[TeleStraightShooter]

just surrender why don't they?
Looks like they did just that.

Since 3 Russians and five Ukrainians were kidnapped in Iraq on Monday and freed within 19 hours; and then within 24 hours after that they tell all their peeps to "get out of the pool..."

[rogueleader]

Cancel all their oil contracts.

[MJY1288]

You are 100% correct, The terrorists will know who they can influence and strike those who cave in to their demands. You and I can see this, why can't the Russians?

We live in a big world and cowards who kill innocent people in an effort to advance their radical beliefs will strike those who are considered weak.

For two decades we have been considered weak, but after our response to 9/11 and the fall of the Taliban and the destruction of their training camps in Afghanistan, I believe Al-Qaeda did not expect the USA to respond like we did. Now that Saddam has been toppled and there is a real effort to spread democracy in the region, the terrorists feel this is their last chance to turn us back, and now more than ever we need to remain resolute, and those who can't, need to get out of the way

[CyberAnt]

What type of jobs were they doing there ..?? And .. how will it affect some of the reconstruction efforts ..??

[Bellflower]

I hope they don't know something that we do not.

[Cap Huff]

"this smells"

I agree. A powerful signal, but I can't figure out what is really behind it. I see a lot of downside for the Russians in doing this, but no upside, and that means I'm seriously missing something here.

[MJY1288]

Here is what I think. I believe the Russians figure this is a good time to separate themselves from Iraq. They are up to their necks in the Oil for Food Scandal and having their people in Iraq will not help their situation. They will not be embarrassed by being shut out of the contracts in Iraq if their not there bidding on them.

The Oil for Food Scandal will be a huge embarrassment for those involved in it. Countries and individuals will be condemned for their involvement and anyone who took part in the kickbacks will be barred from future activities in Iraq. Russia thinks it will be sheltered a bit for not having its people in country, Germany and France will get slammed hard