RFERL - Tefft: U.S. Move To Suspend Nonimmigrant Visas In Russia ‘Not Vindictive’

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty ("Free Media In Unfree Societies") reported on Amb. (to Russia) Tefft's remarks.

Money quote(s):

"Russian President Vladimir Putin last month directed the United States to cut 755 out of about 1,200 employees at the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Russia, after the U.S. Congress passed a tough new law cementing sanctions against Moscow over its aggression in Ukraine and for allegedly meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow said on August 21 that it was suspending "all nonimmigrant visa operations" at U.S. missions across Russia as of August 23 due to the Russian-imposed cap on U.S. diplomatic staff.

The embassy said operations will resume in Moscow on September 1, but they will “remain suspended indefinitely” at U.S. consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok.

“It's unfortunate, but we don't have any choice, because we have a lot of responsibilities here,” the ambassador told TASS."



https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-tefft-nonimmigrant-visas-not-vindictive-ambassador/28692902.html

re: "Really?"

The late, great Lex at Neptunus Lex (" The unbearable lightness of Lex. Enjoy! ") described a peculiar signing statement.

Money quote(s):

"Good ideas represent opportunities that fleetingly come and go. Bad ideas, on the other hand, never seem to have expiration dates"

&

"On the plus side, there’s every chance that Vladimir Putin would like us more.

So we’ve got that going for us. Which is nice.

(For those not a part of the system, the definition of “top secret” information is data which, if revealed, could cause “exceptionally grave damage” to national security.)"

1/5

re: "Tragedy Upon Tragedy"

Jules Crittenden at Forward Movement ("on politics, crime, science, foreign affairs, and maritime and military matters in the United States, Asia, the Balkans and the Middle East.") shares, in closing, a criticism of the last Pres. Bush.

Money quote(s):

" (Not particularly reassured by Putin’s taking personal charge of the investigation, given that the former KGB agent heads a government that appears determined to restore some of the worst practices of historic Russian totalitarianism. Theoretically a show of sincerity with personal responsibility. Some people think George Bush’s biggest miscalculation was misjudging the intentions of Saddam Hussein. I think he got those exactly right, and it was Putin’s intentions that he sorely misjudged.)"

re: ""Man-caused Disasters" complicate "Overseas Contingency Operations" "

Uncle Jimbo at Blackfive is not impressed with the re-nomenclaturing.

Money quote(s):

"Anyone who thought the new administration wasn't serious about fighting terrorism better just sit down and STFU"

That was sarcasm. He continues:

"Do they really think they can change a few words and all of a sudden we are no longer at war with deranged devotees of Islam who are pretty sure what they are up to. They have no qualms about their Global Jihad to impose Sharia law and create a new Caliphate. Sorry for the straight talk there I wouldn't want to offend anyone or make them feel uncomfortable. "

&

"To call them dangerously naive is an understatement and these are the folks who are going to negotiate with Ahm-a-nuttah-job, Putin and the Chinese?"