[War] Russia: "Security Issues"

[Michael Downey]

"Security Issues"
President Leonid Nemerenko
Russian Federation
7 January 2014
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The end of the first year of a leader's administration was supposed to
be some sort of benchmark or huge achievement, like turning sixteen or
your first drink. Yet when day 365 of his first term, and he hoped
every day there would be a second, had come and gone President
Nemerenko only felt an astounding sense of just how much more work had
to be done.

Not that he was disappointed with his work thus far. Macroeconomic
reforms that the Western markets had been screaming about for years,
the military back on track to full readiness, free trade agreements
with the United States and Japan, a reformed MVD and a new pilot
program for the police services underway in Moscow, and a personal
approval rating above sixty percent.

"And yet with all these great success I am still plagued by bullshit
like this," he said to his Interior Minister, Vladimir Kalugin,
throwing the latest copy of Interfax down on the central coffee table.
The said MVD chief was already in Nemerenko's office casually lounging
in one of the cushioned chairs. Had there been other people present
Kalugin would have rose but since they were alone he didn't bother to
show Nemerenko deference that they both knew Kalugin did not have.

"Rioters will make a disturbance anywhere there is a great deal of
public attention," retorted Kalugin as he picked up the newspaper. "I
mean just read the text of the article. It doesn't even say what they
are rioting about. They don't even know themselves! Just a bunch of
drunks, disenchanted communists and whatever band of crazies have come
out of the ultranationalist camp this month. The MVD and Krasnodar
Province Militia have the situation well under control. The Kremlin
has spent close to twelve billion US dollars on security, public works
and urban improvement since Sochi was chosen."

"Attention," mused Nemerenko. "The attention of the entire world is
upon the Winter Olympics, Sochi and Russia. Do you understand Kalugin?
This is the most important political event for Russia since Putin was
forced out of office. This is our chance to showcase to the world just
how far we have come. To demonstrate that Russia is a respectable,
First World nation once again and not the drunk old has been of
Europe. Which means I don't want the BBC showing live images of your
goons beating up and killing protesters."

"I assure you Comrade President that the MVD and local militia are
handling the situation with the proper amount of restrain and tact,"
replied the Minister. "The agreement you signed with President
Williams last year has been enormously helpful. The FBI has given our
security forces a whole knew doctrine when it comes to areas we were
previously lacking."

Which was to politely say human rights. Stipulation the Americans had
added for Russia to gain access to their technical expertise and
better investigative techniques. Nemerenko had been swallowing his
pride at the time but now it had proved useful. Plus Congress had paid
for the whole thing, which saved him a rubble or two.

"Just make sure there aren't any stupid incidents. And get rid of
those damn rioters before they making us look bad," said Nemerenko
irately. "What about our more advanced security measures?"

"We are working around the clock in conjunction with the FSB to
anticipate any possible terrorist attacks. The SVR is monitoring
exterior sources to do the same. The MVD's anti-terror units are all
training around the clock to act as rapid response forces, and the 1st
and 7th OSN squads will be on had for the entire length of the Games,"
explained Kalugin in his most reserved tone. "We've also installed a
state of the art CCTV system in and around the area of the city where
the event will be taking place. The FBI and DHS have given us their
most advanced facial recognition software and we are working closely
with the Americans and EU agencies to compile a list of potential
terrorists we should be on the lookout for."

The President nodded. Kalugin was many things, stupid was not one of
them. As much as he felt the man was an icehearted thug he also
respected the MVD chief for his skill and intelligence. And Nemerenko
never squandered a resource.

"Don't screw this up."

"I won't."

"I'm very serious Vladimir," emphasized Nemerenko. "If things go well
in will reflect a positive image of Russia in the eyes of the
international community. If things go poorly it will set us back
considerably in the political arena."

"And cost me my job," noted Kalugin with one of those sly smiles the
Minister gave in his rare displays of emotion.

"At best, Vladimir, at best." The President took his seat behind his
desk and pulled out a think report folder and flipped it to the first
page. "The pilot police program seems to be going well in Moscow."

"The Moscow Metropolitan Police are indeed proving to be a good
investment," nodded Kalugin. "Once again we owe thanks to the
Americans for their assistance. Their police methodology is
fundamentally different from our system in a number of areas and has
proven itself superior. Just look at the MMP report."

"So we're ready for mass-adoption?"

"I'd like to have a few more reviews but yes, I think the time is
rapidly approaching. We'll take what we've learned from the MMP
program and begin applying it throughout the rest of the country.
We'll start with St. Petersburg, the other Federal City, and then
begin reforming the Oblast militias along the same lines, along the
same lines as the MMP. This will take time of course. Ten years for
the project to be complete, maybe."

"Well I'm pleased enough with the MMP to make that investment,"
shrugged Nemerenko. "The rule of law is the basis for any liberal
democracy and a healthy market economy. I don't need to tell you that
it is critically important for the militias to live up to that
expectation."

"And the additional funding we talked about?"

"Always with the money," sneered Nemerenko. "Yes, I will ask the
Assembly to double the budget for the MVD's Criminal Militia Service
Department. Remember that the money is to be put into expanding and
increasing the operations of the Main Offices for Financial and
Organized Crime. And as with everything else, I expect results."

"Of course Comrade President," said Kalugin as he stood. "I will go
attend to everything we have discussed right away. If you will excuse
me."
---

Actions:
1) Carefully handle the rioting in Sochi. Make sure that the aid and
training provided by the USA is applied to ensure there are no cases
of police abuse.
2) The MVD, SVR and FSB will all focus on assessing any potential
terrorist threats to the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
3) Have the MVD's 1st and 7th OSN (anti-terror) squadrons on hand
during the Olympics as a quick reaction force.
4) Continue to integrate the technical, forensic and doctrine aid
provided by the United States. Conduct a final review of the Moscow
Metropolitan Police pilot program before a mass overhaul of all city
and Oblast militias.
5) Double the operational budget of the MVD's Criminal Militia
Services Department, with particular focus on the Financial and
Organized Crime offices.