This week United Russia’s Mikhail Grishankov, chair of the Duma’s anti-corruption commission, declared, “We are confident that in 2007 we will continue a full-scale offensive against corruption. During February Russia will become a full-fledged member of GRECO [the Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption], and during the Duma’s spring session a packet of bills will be introduced that will begin our legislation’s implementation of anti-corruption standards, which have received positive recommendations abroad.”

Furthermore, under the new legislation no one will be “untouchable, whatever posts they occupied.” Grishankov reminded his colleagues that in 2006 Russia ratified two international anti-corruption pacts, adding, “The level of corruption in the country is unacceptably high”.

Commentary: Do we believe that this will have much effect? One word: NYET. ‘nuf said.