Friday, October 27, 2006; A22

Regarding the Oct. 20 front-page article "Russia Halts Activities of Many Groups From Abroad":

The Russian government's suspension of several foreign nongovernmental organizations is more subtle than a typical authoritarian crackdown. Many Russian laws are cumbersome and vague, especially those that regulate political and business activities, and they often seem expressly designed to force everyone to violate the law to some degree. That way, the Kremlin can use the criminal justice system to make examples of anyone who refuses to play by its rules (such as the former head of the Yukos oil company, Mikhail Khodorkovsky), while ignoring similar actions by more compliant business and political leaders.

The Kremlin's real goal is probably not to expel foreign human rights groups, a step that would irreparably tarnish Russia's international image, but to intimidate them into self-censorship. That is what President Vladimir Putin has already done to much of the media, opposition political parties and the business community. A strong reaction from Western governments is needed to ensure that he does not succeed here.

NICKOLAI BUTKEVICH

Washington

The writer is research director at the Union of Councils for Jews in the Former Soviet Union.