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Russia scraps US anti-drug accord after 10 years Russia scraps US anti-drug accord after 10 years
(about 3 hours later)
The Russian government has abandoned an agreement with the US on fighting crime and the drugs trade, in an apparent sign of worsening relations.The Russian government has abandoned an agreement with the US on fighting crime and the drugs trade, in an apparent sign of worsening relations.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the decade-long agreement no longer addressed "realities" and had "exhausted its potential".Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the decade-long agreement no longer addressed "realities" and had "exhausted its potential".
The agreement saw the US funding anti-crime projects in Russia.The agreement saw the US funding anti-crime projects in Russia.
Meanwhile, two US non-governmental organisations reportedly removed Russian staff at threat of arrest. Meanwhile, two US non-governmental organisations removed Russian staff who were reportedly threatened with arrest.
The National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute, which both promote democracy, closed their Moscow offices last year after laws were passed cracking down on organisations which receive foreign funding.The National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute, which both promote democracy, closed their Moscow offices last year after laws were passed cracking down on organisations which receive foreign funding.
Speaking to the BBC's Russian service, unnamed sources in the NGOs said staff members, including Russian citizens, had been moved to Lithuania at the end of December and early in January. Speaking to the BBC's Russian service, unnamed sources in the NGOs said six Russian staff members and their families had arrived in Lithuania at the end of December or early in January on tourist visas.
One source told the BBC that staff had been approached by Russia's domestic security service, the FSB, and other law enforcement agencies who warned them they could face prosecution for treason. Staff had been approached by Russia's domestic security service, the FSB, and other law enforcement agencies who warned them they could face prosecution for treason, one of the sources said.
According to Russia's Kommersant newspaper, a total of seven employees were moved out. There was no immediate confirmation of the report from the two NGOs.
There was no immediate confirmation of the reports from the two NGOs.
Kremlin angerKremlin anger
News that the anti-drugs-trade agreement was being scrapped appeared in a decree on the Russian government's website.News that the anti-drugs-trade agreement was being scrapped appeared in a decree on the Russian government's website.
It came a few days after the US government pulled out of a joint working group with the Russians on civil society.It came a few days after the US government pulled out of a joint working group with the Russians on civil society.
Russia has been grappling for years with a huge heroin abuse problem, exacerbated by its proximity to drug-trafficking routes from Afghanistan.Russia has been grappling for years with a huge heroin abuse problem, exacerbated by its proximity to drug-trafficking routes from Afghanistan.
It has accused the US of failing to use its influence in Afghanistan to tackle the trade effectively.It has accused the US of failing to use its influence in Afghanistan to tackle the trade effectively.
Ever since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency last May, a chill has returned to US-Russian relations, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg reports from Moscow.Ever since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency last May, a chill has returned to US-Russian relations, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg reports from Moscow.
The two countries seem locked into a spiral of deteriorating ties, he says.The two countries seem locked into a spiral of deteriorating ties, he says.
Underlying it is US concern at the state of democracy and human rights under President Putin, and Moscow's anger at being lectured by the Americans, our correspondent says.Underlying it is US concern at the state of democracy and human rights under President Putin, and Moscow's anger at being lectured by the Americans, our correspondent says.
The US Magnitsky bill adopted late last year sparked particular fury in Moscow as the law bars Russian officials suspected of human rights violations from entering America and freezes any US assets they may have.The US Magnitsky bill adopted late last year sparked particular fury in Moscow as the law bars Russian officials suspected of human rights violations from entering America and freezes any US assets they may have.
In response Moscow has not only barred US officials it suspects of rights abuses, it has banned American families from adopting Russian children.In response Moscow has not only barred US officials it suspects of rights abuses, it has banned American families from adopting Russian children.