Putin Takes the High Road and Outfoxes Obama! Putin: Russia Will Not Expel Anyone in Response to US Sanctions

The Russian president has rejected a suggestion of the foreign ministry to expel 35 American diplomats in response to a similar move by the US. He said Obama’s act was designed to provoke a reaction, but Russia would not take the bait.

Libya: William Hague Expels Two Libyan Diplomats
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, ordered the explusion of two Libyan diplomats from its London embassy as he travelled to Rome to demand heavier military bombardment of Col Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

Mr Hague called for the beginning of a final push to topple the beleagured regime in Tripoli, more than seven weeks after a UN Security Council resolution authorised military action to protect civilians. "The tempo of military activity should continue to be increased, as it has been increasing in recent days," Mr Hague said. "A great deal has been achieved. Probably thousands of lives have been saved. We now need to intensify that in order to push through to a successful outcome."

Rebels seeking to overthrow Col Gaddafi said that they needed an additional $3 million (£1.8 million) in loans to continue their battle.

Downing Street insisted the UK would not provide further funds, having already given generously. In a press conference, Hillary Clinton, the United States Secretary of State, said the allies would seek to create a "financial mechanism" to help the rebels.

The Foreign Office refused to comment on the behaviour which led to the expulsion of the two diplomats and their dependants, but it is understood that they are suspected of seeking to intimidate pro-opposition Libyans living in Britain.

In a statement, Mr Hague said that the expulsion was part of a move to step up the diplomatic pressure on Gaddafi, and that the diplomats and their families had until Wednesday to leave the country. » | Rosa Prince, and Nick Squires in Rome | Thursday, May 05, 2011

I might well be mistaken, but I believe Mrs. Clinton must be catching flies! – Mark

UK Expels Libyan Envoy
David Cameron's government says it is expelling the Libyan ambassador after an attack on the British embassy in Tripoli. Al Jazeera's Emma Hayward has the latest from London

Britain Expels Two Iranian Diplomats in Tit-for-Tat Response
THE GUARDIAN: Gordon Brown announces move to parliament after Tehran's 'unjustified' expulsion of two UK diplomats

Britain has ordered the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats, in tit-for-tat response to the expulsion of two British diplomats from Tehran yesterday.

The Iranian government said it was throwing out the two Britons, who have not been named, for "activities incompatible with their diplomatic status" – a claim Gordon Brown described as "unjustified".

This morning, the Iranian ambassador to London, Rasoul Movahedian Attar, was summoned to be informed of Britain's response by the permanent under-secretary at the Foreign Office, Sir Peter Ricketts. The Iranian diplomats, who have also not been identified, have been given a week to leave the country.

"I am disappointed that Iran has placed us in this position but we will continue to seek good relations with Iran and to call for the regime to respect the human rights and democratic freedoms of the Iranian people," Brown told the House of Commons.

The prime minister said Britain expected Iran to "meet its obligations to the international community", and said "the onus is on Iran to show the Iranian people" that the presidential elections this month were credible.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "The government of Iran is seeking to blame the UK and other outsiders for what is an Iranian reaction to an Iranian issue. This has a potential impact on our staff's safety and is unacceptable." >>> Julian Borger, diplomatic editor | Tuesday, 23, 2009

Russia Engages in Tit-For-Tat Expulsions: Ping-Pong!
BBC: Russia is to expel four UK diplomats in the continuing row over Moscow's refusal to extradite the man suspected of Alexander Litvinenko's murder.

The four diplomats must leave Russia within 10 days, and Moscow is to review visa applications for UK officials.

Foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said co-operation in counter terrorism would no longer be possible. Russia expels four UK diplomats (more)

Mark Alexander

A Good Tough Stance Taken on Russia and Its Antics by Gordon Brown and His Government. Now a Similar Tough Stance Needs to Be Taken on the Antics of the Muslim World
THE GUARDIAN: Moscow vows retaliation after four agents thrown out over Litvinenko case

The British government was last night bracing itself for an inevitable diplomatic backlash after expelling four Russian intelligence officers in protest at the Kremlin's refusal to hand over the prime suspect in the polonium-210 poisoning affair.

In an attempt to underline the government's anger and alarm over the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, the Foreign Office announced it was ceasing cooperation with Moscow on a range of issues, starting with the imposition of restrictions on visas issued to Russian officials seeking to visit the UK.

All four individuals being expelled are officers with one of the successor organisations to the KGB, a clear signal that British authorities strongly suspect that Russian intelligence agencies had a hand in the murder. David Miliband, the foreign secretary, told the Commons yesterday: "This response is proportional and it is clear at whom it is aimed."

Last night Gordon Brown, arriving for talks in Germany, said Britain wanted a constructive relationship with Russia, but added: "When a murder is committed on British soil, action has to be taken." Cold war diplomacy is back as UK expels spies (more) By Luke Harding in Moscow, Ian Cobain and Julian Borger

WATCH BBC VIDEO:
UK warned over expulsions

SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL:
German Economy Attracts Moscow Money By Anselm Waldermann

Mark Alexander

Putin Threatens the UK with "Serious Consequences" for Expelling Four Russian Diplomats in the Litvinenko Affair
BBC: The UK is to expel four Russian diplomats in response to Moscow's refusal to extradite the prime suspect in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband also said co-operation with Russia on a range of issues was under review.

Prosecutors want Andrei Lugovoi, an ex-KGB officer, to face trial in the UK. He denies involvement.

Moscow condemned the UK's position as "immoral" and said the expulsions would have "serious consequences". UK expels four Russian diplomats (more)

WATCH BBC VIDEO:
UK expels Russian diplomats

Mark Alexander