Spirit Of Truth
Deceased
Ingredient for staging a bogus Moscow coup...
Medvedev sacks Russia spy chief
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/04/2009424145424746338.html
Friday, April 24, 2009
General Korabelnikov led Russia's military intelligence agency since 1997 [EPA]
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's president, has dismissed the head of the country's military intelligence agency, after he reportedly opposed reforms of the armed forces.
General Valentin Korabelnikov had been the head of the country's largest spy agency, known as the GRU, since 1997.
A Kremlin statement on Friday said Medvedev had signed a decree to remove Korabelnikov "from the position of chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) ... and to dismiss him from military service".
It gave no reason for the 63-year-old's dismissal, which is one of Medvedev's biggest sackings since he came to power.
According to Russian media, Korabelnikov had criticised reforms that aim to modernise Russia's army and nuclear arsenal.
The reforms would also see a reduction in the number of generals and personnel, making them deeply unpopular in the military.
'Message to generals'
The Kommersant newspaper reported last November that Korabelnikov was one of a group of generals who had submitted their resignations in protests over the reforms.
Viktor Ilyukhin, deputy leader of the opposition Communist party and former deputy head of parliament's national security committee, said Korabelnikov's dismissal was a "blow at our Russian forces and the security of our nation".
"He was a born intelligence chief, a man who brilliantly knows the situation in the world and one of the best experts in the situation in Russia's army," he told the Reuters news agency.
Analysts believe Medvedev may be trying to send a message to generals that he is not going to tolerate dissent on military reform.
Alexander Shlyakhturov, Korabelnikov's successor, was the sacked general's first deputy. He is seen as a more compliant figure who is less likely to challenge the reforms.
The GRU was created in 1918 under Leon Trotsky, and is controlled by the military general staff.
Since its creation it has been widely seen as a staunch rival of other spy agencies.
Medvedev sacks Russia spy chief
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/04/2009424145424746338.html
Friday, April 24, 2009
General Korabelnikov led Russia's military intelligence agency since 1997 [EPA]
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's president, has dismissed the head of the country's military intelligence agency, after he reportedly opposed reforms of the armed forces.
General Valentin Korabelnikov had been the head of the country's largest spy agency, known as the GRU, since 1997.
A Kremlin statement on Friday said Medvedev had signed a decree to remove Korabelnikov "from the position of chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) ... and to dismiss him from military service".
It gave no reason for the 63-year-old's dismissal, which is one of Medvedev's biggest sackings since he came to power.
According to Russian media, Korabelnikov had criticised reforms that aim to modernise Russia's army and nuclear arsenal.
The reforms would also see a reduction in the number of generals and personnel, making them deeply unpopular in the military.
'Message to generals'
The Kommersant newspaper reported last November that Korabelnikov was one of a group of generals who had submitted their resignations in protests over the reforms.
Viktor Ilyukhin, deputy leader of the opposition Communist party and former deputy head of parliament's national security committee, said Korabelnikov's dismissal was a "blow at our Russian forces and the security of our nation".
"He was a born intelligence chief, a man who brilliantly knows the situation in the world and one of the best experts in the situation in Russia's army," he told the Reuters news agency.
Analysts believe Medvedev may be trying to send a message to generals that he is not going to tolerate dissent on military reform.
Alexander Shlyakhturov, Korabelnikov's successor, was the sacked general's first deputy. He is seen as a more compliant figure who is less likely to challenge the reforms.
The GRU was created in 1918 under Leon Trotsky, and is controlled by the military general staff.
Since its creation it has been widely seen as a staunch rival of other spy agencies.
