US, Russia Trade Sanctions as Tensions Rise
Both Sides to Bar One Another's Human Rights Criminals
The Senate’s decision to pass the Magnitsky Act, seizing the assets of Russian officials and banning them access to the US if they were involved in the detention and eventual death of millionaire investor Sergei Magnitsky has prompted a retaliatory bill from the Russian government.
The Russian Foreign Ministry says a bill that is advancing through the Duma will bar any Americans guilty of human rights violations from entering Russia. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that the moves threaten to deleteriously effect bilateral ties.
The Magnitsky Act, which came together at a time when US officials were initially talking up normalizing trade ties with Russia and ended up doing the opposite, calls on the US to formally name those impacted. It is unclear from Russian comments whether they will release a similar list for their sanctions.
The Obama Administration had initially come out against adding the act to the broader trade bill, saying it was “redundant,” but it gained considerable support in Congress and passed with large margins.
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MoT
December 7th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
We should cease calling only the GOP the "stupid party" because clearly the Democrats are just as criminally idiotic.
Sir
December 8th, 2012 at 2:45 am
Grow up children!
Yonatan
December 8th, 2012 at 7:42 am
The US lecturing other countries on human right violations? What a joke. The US has supported every murderous dictator that follows the US bidding.
the lion
December 8th, 2012 at 8:16 am
OOps , I think that there may be a significant list that the Russians will include No Doubting that Dick Cheney and any associated companies will be amongst them. KBR and Halliburton, the significance being that they will not be able to be associated with any Oil;and gas venture, if that includes companies that deal with Either company that means NO US OIL companies will be able to trade in Russia!
As usual the Senators in their infinite stupidity fail to realise that retaliation is always available to even a former superpower! That will cost US Oil trillions!
Warren
December 8th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
Well, now we know what it takes for the US Senate to be concerned about human rights ….. a millionaire being detained!