WikiLeaks Shows Intel Blackmailed Russian Govt.
It was somewhat apparent that the 250,000-or-so cables released by WikiLeaks could make the lives of many rather inconvenient, but it seems that the information goes much further than just diplomatic negotiations.
It was somewhat apparent that the 250,000-or-so cables released by WikiLeaks could make the lives of many rather inconvenient. However, it seems that the information goes much further than just diplomatic negotiations. A new document now shows how Intel was able to get a waiver from the Russian government to import software that usually could not have been imported. If we read this right, then the information shown could be called bullying at best and blackmailing at worst. Some may call it business, though.
Intel apparently received approval to import 1000 encrypted platforms that would be used for the development of software. Intel, which was represented back then by CEO Craig Barrett, made it clear that it needed the hardware and software in the country and was able to leverage its intelligence, if you will, knowing that Russia wanted to become a "knowledge-based economy." Intel highlighted that it was employing more than 1000 Russian engineers and if it was not able to import those platforms, it would have to lay off over 200 engineers and R&D work would be moved to India or China. Apparently, the negotiations involved not only Barrett, but also American Chamber of Commerce President Andrew Somers on the American side, as well as Russian President Medvedev.
The cable described Intel's appearance as high-level lobbying: "Intel was able to demonstrate the reasonableness of its request and, as a result, by-passed the current extensive licensing requirement." The cable stated that the import limit was 1000 units and there was no waiver for commercial products. The American government described the activity as sign that the Russian government may be flexible in granting waivers for certain encryption products.
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Intel power supreme!
Shit...
Might need to shift some stocks around.
I wouldn't call it blackmail. I would call it a bit of a bullying business move though. Intel has done much worse.
...and I want to work for the idiots? Sorry Paul, not today...never.
I hope AMD has been good this year for Santa.
sometimes the truth coming out is a good thing.
So it is now "blackmail" to say "If you don't make it possible for my employees to do the work I pay them for, I'll stop paying them"?
What colour is the sky in your world?
*sigh* when will the original red team go with the red team.
This just reflect the bigger issue. In the new world order, corporations are the most powerful, and all nations are banana republics.
So it is now "blackmail" to say "If you don't make it possible for my employees to do the work I pay them for, I'll stop paying them"?What colour is the sky in your world?
Kind of, when you knew that Russia had never allowed these devices in before and you expect to set up office inside anyway and make demands.
that's same with every form of government/business relationships... like the auto industry, the company asks govt to invest $x millions to upgrade their plants or research for continuation of vehicle production of that plant.... so what's the difference??
Shock of shocks! Intel values and will protect its intellectual property and Russia wants good quality jobs. Even if they are not ideal partners, they can work together. Sounds a lot like the world in which I live.
Shock of shocks! Intel values and will protect its intellectual property and Russia wants good quality jobs. Even if they are not ideal partners, they can work together. Sounds a lot like the world in which I live.
Is anyone supprised?
I mean, come on the world is driven by greed and power!!!!!
The only resemblance of justice is the beating down and flaunting of weak individuals trying to do what the BIG BOYS are doing!
Just a shame!
They should all suffer the same fate as those who pirate movies and such!
It's classic negotiations. In the end Russia needed Intel more than Intel needed Russia. Simple.
like they say its all fair in love and war.
Intel actually have proven that business for them is a war if not love every now and than.
In general it is called business - though employing 1000 Russian engineers is called a pity.
^ Bam!
Some of you people are so nieve. You actually think that large business plays fair? You think they have morals, ethics, etc...? You people must live in a box to think that large busines and even some smaller businesses play fair and have no lobbying interest here in the US and abroad. What planet do you all live on? This has been going on since the beginning of human business. It will never change because most people are oblivious to it.
Don't see anything wrong with this, if companies and governments had no secrets things will be a lot messier now than they are. Intel said we need this, we have this as leverage. When I tell my kids to go clean their rooms, they usually don't until I tell them they won't have TV for a week. Use what you got to your advantage. I tell the companies I work for, you want my skills, you pay me this much, same thing.
Its called outsourcing not blackmail
Not surprised at all, but I'm surprised the Russians didn't tell Intel to piss off...... they don't need intel to do anything for them.....
The President sure hasn't lived on the Streets of Saint Peters-burg and certainly doesn't have an idea what the underground is capable off.....
I guess the less said the better, Rome did burn in one day, and I see a pretty similar corporate burn up for Intel if they don't stop the man handling business.
They're babies as compared to the Russians when it comes to man handling people.....
Your headline is misleading and naive.
big businesses normally get some concessions from countries wanting their
investments, employment opportunities, technology transfers, etc.
intel asked and russia agreed. but since the news source was from
Wikileaks, we are made to believe something siniter happened.
Hmm, just look at what is happening with China right now - forcing companies to give up their IP in exchange for either letting them do business in China, or getting essential minerals, etc from China.
Although this news story is too skimpy on details to be able to state with any certainty, to me it is about Intel wanting to protect its IP by encryption, which any company with an ounce of foresight and responsibility should do. So, nothing to see here other than Intel standing up for its rights...
Ye olde Quid Pro Quo, folks - been going on so long we still use a dead language to name the maneuver...
Julian Assange's Delta Tau Chi name is... Captain Obvious!
I should also state that Julian Assange is just another 15-minutes-of-fame wannabe, and while Wikileaks did divulge some stuff that should have been, their posting the US list of sites considered critical to the world's economy and infrastructure is just plain idiotic if not criminal. Jeez - talk about giving aid and comfort to the enemy - I'm sure Al Quaida appreciates Assange doing their research for them. I hope Sweden convicts him for the rape charges and puts him away for the rest of his traitorous life..
Now as to how I really feel...
Its called outsourcing not blackmail
It's called reality.
Of course, if a company needs equipment to keep people working, and the government prevents the import of that equipment, those people aren't going to be able to continue working. They'll have no use for people sitting around doing nothing, so they'd have to lay off those workers and move the work elsewhere.
Simply put, if the government prevents jobs from being continued, those jobs will be stopped.
This isn't blackmail.
This is not blackmail. They basically said that they couldn't keep jobs in Russia without those systems. Sure they weren't legal there, but they could have just pulled out without talking to the gov't. Instead they gave Russia a chance to keep those jobs. I don't see anything wrong with that.
[citation][nom]I hope Sweden convicts him for the rape charges and puts him away for the rest of his traitorous life..Now as to how I really feel...[/citation]
Just a note here, you can't be a traitor to a country that you're not a citizen of.
Also, if Al Qaeda is unable to commit terrorist attacks because they can't find any valuable targets, then they're stupid enough that you don't really have to worry about them.
I'm in the "not blackmail" camp.
If a corporation in one US state says they are moving because they are getting a better tax break in another state (*ahem* unless, of course, you want to make a better offer), is it blackmail? No, otherwise states would sue companies that move.
Indirectly you could interpret this as "we employ x citizens in your state, which we will have to fire if we are forced to relocate due to your non-compliance."
Intel merely said these are the terms of maintaining a location in your country, and if you can't comply then we'll look elsewhere and hire other people.
Its not even bullying. Its just a fact. If Intel couldn't get the stuff into the country that it needed the engineers to work on then it would have to move its operation to another country.