<DIV><SPAN class=header><FONT size=5>Analysis: The Kremlin's 'energized' 2005</B></FONT></SPAN> <BR><SPAN class=lmpaper><FONT size=1>By <A href="http://www.untimely-thoughts.com/index.html?author=1">Peter Lavelle</A> <BR>Published on January 07, 2005 <BR>This article was written for <A href="http://www.untimely-thoughts.com/index.html?paper=12">UPI - United Press International</A><BR><BR></FONT></SPAN> <DIV align=justify><FONT size=2><B>MOSCOW, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- The Yukos affair dominated Russia's politics and economics last year. Will there be a "Yukos II" in 2005? Most likely not. However, it should be fully expected that the Kremlin would continue its drive to capture Russia's vast and lucrative export energy sectors for itself. This year will be about forced deal making, instead of forced nationalizations.</B></FONT></DIV> <DIV align=justify><A href="http://www.untimely-thoughts.com/index.html?cat=3&type=3&art=1263">http://www.untimely-thoughts.com/index.html?cat=3&type=3&art=1263</A></DIV> <DIV align=justify> </DIV> <DIV align=justify>Plus, Satire: Russian judge stays Bush inaugural</DIV> <DIV align=justify> <P class=MsoNormal>Perm, Russia, Jan 6 (UPI) – A low ranking judge from Russia’s forever frozen city Perm has stayed the inauguration of U.S. President George W. Bush. Judge Yulia Vyborova made her ruling after three Ohio residents with American and Russian passports filed complaints in her court claiming voting irregularities during the America’s November presidential elections. According to Vyborova’s press spokesperson, the judge has barred any member of the American judiciary from inaugurating President-elect Bush later this month. Any breach of the Vyborova order could entail serious international sanctions against the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1:place>United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>. </P> <P class=MsoNormal>In the meantime, Vyborova has demanded the United States conduct another U.S. presidential election. Vyborova is quoted as saying, “I do not recognize Bush’s election, the people of <st1:City><st1:place>Perm</st1:place></st1:City> don’t, and at least three <st1:State><st1:place>Ohio</st1:place></st1:State> voters don’t.” She went on to comment that she has also received an number of informal complaints that some Ukrainians waving orange flags at a number of Ohio voting points might have violated elections laws.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>It is not clear if she was referring to American, Ukrainian, or Russian election laws. </P> <P class=MsoNormal>The Bush administration’s response has been quick and uncompromising. The White House released a statement earlier today openly wondering if there is such as place as Perm. One White House insider told United Press International that Perm “comes from some storybook about winter, doesn’t it?” </P> <P class=MsoNormal>Russian President Vladimir Putin has remained silent on Judge Vyborova’s ruling. This is to be expected. Mr Putin’s press spokesperson said as this report goes to press that, “The president has been burned before calling the outcome of elections and he has no intention of speaking too soon again.” </P> <P class=MsoNormal>Vyborova’s ruling has prompted one Russian-American resident from Florida to file a voting complaint concerning the American presidential vote of 2000. </P></DIV> <DIV align=justify> </DIV> <DIV align=justify><BR><BR><B><I> </I></B></DIV></DIV><p> <hr size=1>Do you Yahoo!?<br> The <a href="http://my.yahoo.com">all-new My Yahoo!</a> – Get yours free!