REUTERS-President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian
suspected spies and imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies over
their
involvement in hacking U.S. political groups in the 2016 presidential
election.
The measures, taken during the last days of Obama's presidency, mark a
new post-Cold War low in U.S.-Russian ties and set up a potential flashpoint
between incoming President-elect Donald Trump and fellow Republicans in
Congress over how to deal with Moscow.
Obama, a Democrat, had promised consequences after U.S. intelligence
officials blamed Russia for hacks intended to influence the 2016 election.
Officials pointed the finger directly at Russian President Vladimir Putin for
personally directing the efforts and primarily targeting Democrats, who put
pressure on Obama to respond.
"These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we
have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate
response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established
international norms of behavior," Obama said in a statement from Hawaii,
where he is on vacation.
"All Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions," he said.
It was not clear whether Trump, who has repeatedly praised Putin and
nominated people seen as friendly toward Moscow to senior administration posts,
would seek to roll back the measures once he takes office on Jan. 20.
Trump has brushed aside allegations from the CIA and other intelligence
agencies that Russia was behind the cyber attacks. He said on Thursday he would
meet with intelligence officials soon.
“It's time for our country to move on to bigger and better things,"
Trump said in a statement.
"Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people,
I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be
updated on the facts of this situation," he said, without mentioning
Russia.
The Kremlin, which denounced the sanctions as unlawful and promised
"adequate" retaliation, questioned whether Trump approved of the new
sanctions. Moscow denies the hacking allegations.
U.S. intelligence agencies say Russia was behind hacks into Democratic
Party organizations and operatives ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election.
U.S. intelligence officials say the Russian cyber attacks were aimed at helping
Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers have voiced concern about Russia's
actions, setting up a potential wall of opposition should Trump seek to
overturn Obama's measures.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, the top Republican in
Congress, said Russia "has consistently sought to undermine" U.S.
interests and called the sanctions overdue.
Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham said they intended to
lead effort in Congress to "impose stronger sanctions on Russia."
Incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus told Fox News he did
not condone foreign governments hacking U.S. institutions.
"It’s wrong and it’s something we don’t agree with," Priebus
said. "However, it would be nice if we could get to a place where the
intelligence community in unison can tell us what it is that has been going on
and what the investigation was and what it has led to so that we can
respond."
The Trump team's response could generate bipartisan discord early in the
new administration's tenure.
"This is going to be a key source of tension
post-inauguration," said Eric Lorber, a senior associate at the Financial
Integrity Network, which advises banks on sanctions.
SPIES AND SANCTIONS
Obama put sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies, the GRU and the
FSB, four GRU officers and three companies that he said "provided material
support to the GRU’s cyber operations."
He said the State Department declared as "persona non grata" 35
Russian intelligence operatives and is closing two Russian compounds in New
York and Maryland that were used by Russian personnel for
"intelligence-related purposes." The State Department originally said
the 35 were diplomats.
The 45-acre complex in Maryland includes a Georgian-style brick mansion,
swimming pool, tennis courts and cottages for embassy staff.
A senior U.S. official told Reuters the expulsions would come from the
Russian embassy in Washington and consulate in San Francisco. The Russian
embassy declined to comment.
The Russians have 72 hours to leave the United States, the official said.
Access to the two compounds will be denied to all Russian officials as of noon
on Friday.
The State Department has long complained that Russian security agents and
traffic police have harassed U.S. diplomats in Moscow, and U.S. Secretary of
State John Kerry has raised the issue with Putin and his foreign minister,
Sergei Lavrov.
The U.S. official declined to name the Russian diplomats who would be
affected, although it is understood that Russia's ambassador to the United
States, Sergei Kislyak, will not be one of those expelled.
Obama said the actions announced on Thursday were just the beginning.
"These actions are not the sum total of our response to Russia’s
aggressive activities. We will continue to take a variety of actions at a time
and place of our choosing, some of which will not be publicized," Obama
said.
A report detailing Russia's interference in the 2016 election as well as
cyber attacks in previous election cycles would be delivered to Congress in the
coming days, he added.
The sanctions were the strongest response yet by the Obama administration
to Russia's cyber activities. However, a senior administration official
acknowledged that Trump could reverse them and allow Russian intelligence
officials back into the United States once he takes office. He said that would
be inadvisable.
Obama amended an executive order originally issued in April 2015 to
respond to cyber hacking to include sanctions on those who tamper with
information to interfere with an election.
Trump said in October he would “cancel every unconstitutional executive
action, memorandum and order issued by President Obama" on his first day
in office, without saying who would determine their constitutionality.
REUTERS
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