That Russian arms merchant

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101117/ap_on_re_us/us_arms_suspect

What I'd like to know is, where/how is he GETTING all that stuff that he sells? It's not like you can buy it at Walmart.

My guess is Russia. Everything is for sale for the right price.

Well, if he's getting it from Russia, it's awfully hypocritical for them to insist that he should be tried there, not here. Their arms factories sure must be lax or corrupt. Military contractors here can't sell their stuff to just anyone.

Sad to say, Russian leaders have not been noted for their veracity. Neither, might I add, have the ieaders of any country, including our own.

Have any of you ever made a visit to Russia?

Yes, 20 years ago. I took a three week tour of Moscow, Leningrad, and some other city (can't remember the name, there was a beautiful Orthodox church there).

Do you think Russia has changed since your visit? That was years ago lol. There is poverty in Russia. Why?

My dad made several business trips there during the late 70's. A shipyard in Rotterdam had the license to build one of his rigs, and they were marketing it to Petro-Baltic.

I remember him telling how he and the rep from RDM, the shipyard, had complained one evening in the "privacy" of their hotel room in Moscow, about the attitude of one of the Russians at the negotiating table, and later realized that it was the last they ever saw of him.

That was pre-peristroika, of course. But the black market was very strong. Buying anything at a Russian store was very complicated, he told us. You had to fill out a form, take it to a clerk, who would send for the merchandise. There were long waiting lists for many items.

One of Susan's old beaus went there during the early 90's. This was a truly enterprising kid - his trip included Africa as well as Eastern Europe. He filled a suitcase, before he left, with Levi 301 jeans, sold them in Russia and paid for his trip.

Point is, It's my understanding that it is almost easier to get things under the table there than it is over the counter.

Ann

Good comments. But there must have been change by now. Should we or people outside of Russia make a visit?

Quote :

Do you think Russia has changed since your visit? That was years ago lol. There is poverty in Russia. Why?

I'm sure it has. What's your point? My OP wondered how that arms merchant got his stuff.

And FWIW, when I visited Russia 20 years ago, it looked poor and broken-down then.

I wanted to know more about Russia. I would like to make a visit.

Would you visit Russia now?

Who, me? Sure, if it were on my must-visit list. Right now China is. We're looking at a trip to Shanghai and Beijing in March.

That looks good. You can tell us all about your visit when your back.