We found this story on the Fox News site.
Photo Allegedly Shows Putin Undercover During Reagan Visit
Friday, March 20, 2009
A picture has emerged apparently showing Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in his former days as a KGB officer.
The 20-year old photo depicts two world leaders – U.S. President Ronald Reagan and the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev — in Moscow.
But, according to the man who took the photo, it also captures Putin disguised as a tourist.
Pete Souza, now President Obama's official photographer, captured the moment when he worked for President Reagan during the political thaw that soon ended the Cold War.
Reagan took a stroll around Red Square accompanied by the Russian leader, who then introduced him to a group of tourists.
In an interview, Souza recounted being surprised at the "pointed" questions these supposed tourists asked the U.S. leader.
They included searching inquiries on the state of human rights in the U.S.
The identity of the man on the left of the photo — complete with camera round his neck — was later revealed and "verified" to Souza as none other than Putin.
The planting of KGB officers as bystanders was a common practice in Soviet times.
During the tense stand-off of the Cold War, they would be used to challenge foreign leaders during visits to Russia.
But, while acknowledging this practice, a Russian political analyst and author of books on Vladimir Putin dismissed Souza's claims as "nonsense."
"Vladimir Putin was a major serving in Dresden and he wasn't important enough at that time to be brought to Moscow,"said Andrey Piontkovsky.
(further down more about the story and the picture from the SKY News site)
A picture has emerged apparently showing Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in his former days as a KGB officer.
Does this picture show Putin pretending to be a tourist? (pic: Pete Souza)
The 20-year old photo depicts two world leaders - US President Ronald Reagan and the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev - in Moscow.
But, according to the man who took the photo, it also captures Mr Putin disguised as a tourist.
Pete Souza, now President Obama's official photographer, captured the moment when he worked for President Reagan during the political thaw that soon ended the Cold War.
Mr Reagan took a stroll around Red Square accompanied by the Russian leader, who then introduced him to a group of tourists.
In an interview, Mr Souza recounted being surprised at the "pointed" questions these supposed tourists asked the US leader.
They included searching enquiries on the state of human rights in the US.
The identity of the man on the left of the photo - complete with camera round his neck - was later revealed and "verified" to Mr Souza as none other than Mr.Putin.
The planting of KGB officers as bystanders was a common practice in Soviet times.
During the tense stand-off of the Cold War, they would be used to challenge foreign leaders during visits to Russia.
But, while acknowledging this practice, a Russian political analyst and author of books on Vladimir Putin dismissed Mr Souza's claims as "nonsense".
"Vladimir Putin was a major serving in Dresden and he wasn't important enough at that time to be brought to Moscow", said Andrey Piontkovsky.
Mr. Putin served as a KGB officer in the East German city of Dresden.
He was stationed there from 1985 until the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was later called back to Russia.
Not a huge amount is known about his work there, but it is widely believed he was a middle-ranking agent on his first and only foreign posting.
4 comments:
Interesting!
Love the new header!
Hey Alyssa,
It's been ages since I've commented, and since this was about Russia I thought I would :)
While I agree that the man in the picture looks like Putin, I have to say that there are MANY russian men who look like that. you'd be suprised to see how many men look alike here--there's even a Putin look-a-like that you can take pictures with at Red Square daily, there's a rotation of 5 or 6 of them.
And knowing how Russian protect any of their leaders (for ex. if Putin drives down the main street in Moscow, they will close that street and all others in a 5 mile radius around it for the time he's driving and an hour befor and after), I don't know if they'd allow for Putin to be there with a random kid. :)
It could be true, I have no clue, I wasn't there, but I have a few suspisions... :)
Interesting article though, I'll have to show my dad!
:)
Sasha
Hey Sasha that is really interesting about how a lot of men look the like him. But as far as this picture goes you have to remember this photo was taken during Ronald Reagan's presidency. It was the 80's Putin was was in the KGB if this is him he would have been undercover (here looking like a tourist).
The KGB (which I am sure you know) is kind of like our FBI. So basically back then no one knew who he was except those who worked with him. But I do understand what you mean it might not be him it could just happen to be someone who looks a lot like him.
Hmmm... he looks creeper now!!!
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