-Caveat Lector- Sunday January 2 4:46 PM ET Frozen Swiss Accounts May Be Linked to Yeltsin-Newsweek NEW YORK (Reuters) - A dozen bank accounts containing more than $15 million frozen by Swiss authorities investigating Russian money laundering, are suspected of being linked to Boris Yeltsin, Newsweek reported on Sunday. While Yeltsin's aides have consistently denied that he has any foreign bank accounts, unnamed sources say the accounts in question are not in Yeltsin's name, but rather are held by offshore companies or in the names of individual businessmen, both Russian and foreign, Newsweek reports. The Swiss authorities, which froze the accounts last summer, suspect they may be linked to former president Yeltsin, who resigned last Friday, according to the latest edition of Newsweek. The news magazine does not indicate why Swiss authorities suspect a link. Swiss prosecutors are investigating an alleged multi-billion dollar Russian money laundering scheme linked to Russian politicians, businessmen and their family members, and a separate case involving claims of bribes paid to Kremlin officials. They also believe there are links between accounts in a Bank of New York (NYSE:BK - news) money laundering case and the frozen Swiss accounts. The Kremlin denies the charges and Russian politicians have said the allegations were politically inspired ahead of elections. The freezing of the accounts does not necessarily imply any wrongdoing, but Yeltsin has been dogged by corruption charges since last summer, when political foes raised the issue and forced an impeachment vote. Yeltsin won the vote. Yeltsin, 68, who resigned suddenly from office on the final day of last year, and his family have been given guarantees of immunity by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who was appointed acting president by Yeltsin. Newsweek said informed sources told them Yeltsin made his decision to leave office on Dec. 24, less than a week after his Unity party's success in Russia's parliamentary election. It remained a tightly held secret for a week. Although Yeltsin insisted he was not stepping down because of his health, Newsweek reported sources saying his overall health had worsened significantly in the last few weeks. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
