[War] Russia: "Who Watches the Watchmen?"

[Michael Downey]

"Who Watches the Watchmen?"
President Leonid Nemerenko
Russian Federation
19 Februaru, 2013
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Nemerenko kept Kalugin very close on hand. Not simply because he had
trouble trusting the former FSB operative, which he didn't, but also
because internal security was the top issue of Nemerenko's
presidential mandate and he expected daily reports from the Internal
Minister.

"Mr. President," said Kalugin with a respectful nod as he entered
Nemerenko's office. The President always had a private meeting with
Kalugin just before the daily security briefing.

"I hear our friends in the East have caught a nice prize, Vladamir,"
commented Nemerenko. News had already reached him of the illegal
migrants seized by the Chinese NPA.

"Indeed, an excellent piece of work by our Chinese counterparts.
Despite their subtle hostility towards us over Siberia for the past
few weeks, it seems they are fulfilling their end of the treaty."

That boded well for Russia. And with the bulk of the PLA fighting in
North Korea, the Russian Army could breath a sigh of relief.

"Extend our congratulations and compliments to the NPA over the
operation," said Nemerenko. "Personally draft the letter for the NPA
director." Despite Beijing's recent political slights, Russians were
anything of not grateful. "So a major smuggling ring has been
destroyed by the Chinese. That is good. But I am concerned with just
how this ring operated."

"The suspected complicity of the FPS." The Federal Border Service, or
FPS in translated Cyrillic, was the division of the MVD that had
succeeded the KGB's old Border Guards institution. Keeping the
Russo-Sino border secure would be very difficult if their own security
forces were part of the problem.

"You know that corruption among the security forces enrages me," said
Nemerenko, though his tone was calm. "I want you to head to Siberia.
Personally lead a full investigation into the FPS's operations. Find
the involved parties and deal with them."

Kalugin winced. Top-level ministers didn't really like spending
extended periods of time in Siberia. But Nemerenko considered this to
be on Kalugin's head. By sending the Internal Minister himself, the
President hoped to show both corrupt elements of the FPS and world
critics how serious he took this.

"I don't want some sort of Stalinist purge. Pursue the guilty, but let
the loyal officers know that such loyalty will result in the security
of their jobs and positions."

"There's still the issue of elements in the NPA being involved as
well," pointed out Kalugin.

"If so, it's Beijing's problem. Hong can keep her own house in order, I'm sure."
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Actions:
1) Congratulate the Chinese NPA on a job well done.
2) Begin an investigation into the FPS (Federal Border Service) to be
personally led by Internal Minister Kalugin
3) Let the FPS know that this is not a witch hunt, and that only the
guilty will be persecuted.
4) There will be sever consequences for FPS officials involved in the
smuggling operations. Corrupt government officials are considered
traitors to Russia.