Posted on 09/16/2004 2:22:02 PM PDT by Lukasz
The European and Russian governments are living in two different worlds
"Business is politics in up-to-date Russia. The government controls all aspects of the nation's life and the commercial field is not an exception," the chairman of the committee "2008: Free Choice", Grand Master Garry Kasparov said on September 13th at the Baltic Forum of Development in Hamburg. Below you can find excerpts from the chess player's speech.
"We must draw a distinction between the current Russian leadership and the citizens of Russia. The rich culture, creativity, the knowledge and humanity of our nation is still alive and means a lot more to the world than the whole Russian oil," Kasparov said. "High oil prices make the only support for Putin's regime. Citizens of other oil-extracting countries do not derive profit from the oil wealth. Both oil and all other natural resources of Russia should have their own markets and open ways to reach those markets."
Garry Kasparov believes that Russia should unite with Europe. "This union would be important to the Russian nation for social and economic reasons. The traditions of the European democracy and the relative economic stability will help Russia become a modern state. However, Putin's regime mixes up the past and the present. A lot of Russia's neighbors are still being suspicious about Russia, and they have reasons for it. An order in the past is necessary for the future progress. The European and Russian governments are living in two different worlds," Kasparov stated in Hamburg.
"One of the examples to prove it is the fact how our media outlets defend the notorious pact of 1939 between Nazis and Soviets. The USSR attacked Finland because of the pact, it invaded the Baltic republics, occupied a part of Poland and assisted in unleashing WWII. Russia needs to acknowledge the crimes of its Soviet predecessors.
"The avowal of guilt is a good spiritual remedy, which also means the acknowledgement of universal moral values, which the Kremlin currently rejects. One of these values is the ability to find common language. Putin's administration does not know how to speak this language.
"The Soviet past still dominates the Russian reality and politics. Putin is aware of that. In his address to the nation after the hostage crisis in Beslan, the president said that the nation is living under the conditions, which have been created with the collapse of a great state, which proved to be helpless in the changing world. It would be the same to say that you have been living in a house without the water supply system," Kasparov said.
"The Soviet Union could not and cannot be a part of modern Europe. It could become a part of Europe only with its conquests. We must distinguish between modern Russia that we need and the Soviet past that Putin is trying to retrieve.
"There is no place for Committee 2008 and the real opposition in the Russian press. However, there is a place for nationalists and Stalinists, who grieve about that "great state." They decline basic democratic values. These talks about the return to the erstwhile glory are becoming more frequent now. The Nazi propaganda is prohibited in Germany, but not in Russia," Kasparov said.
"Unfortunately, this is not the only aspect, in which Putin exercises himself as a Stalinist. He talks about everything in the old Soviet language. He suppresses freedom of speech, freedom of commerce, he has led Russia astray.
"Putin announced that he would cancel elections of regional governors as a measure to struggle against terrorism. Local parliamentarians will have to approve the selected nominees. Putin is destroying democracy at the time when we need it most. Western politicians might say that the Russian Constitution technically allows it. However, if the West keeps silent, we will most likely witness similar changes happening in the presidential election procedure.
"Even the national lucrative oil market does not function according to the standards of the civilized world. The scandal with Yukos and its CEO, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, has exerted a destructive influence on the economy.
"It is impossible for Europe to deal with the current Russian administration. Europe should press on Putin for changes. One should not let Putin mix the Soviet past with the Russian future in an attempt to keep the relations.
"Schroeder and Chirac are using double standards instead, which brings a lot of harm to the Russian nation. It is not time for Realpolitik. Each meeting of the Group of Seven with Putin's participation is perceived as the approval of Putin's home policy.
It's starting to sound like Pravda's America desk as well.
We just gave asylum to a chechen terrorist. Nice move.
Actually this was a myth which I corrected with a more accurate posting just a few days ago. Putin was not speaking of us when he used the words "the west".
Yes. Actually the change gives more power to the legislative branches in each oblast.
It is long overdue in Russia, although some are unhappy about it.
You don't understand the depths of corruption there. I expect this to be a transitory move, one that is a response to the corruption which enabled chechen and other scum to brutally rape and kill North Ossetian Orthodox Christians.
You gleened that from your Pravda talking points?
The press is not so muzzled as you think.....you should try visiting and watching television.
No I posted a full version of what Putin said and many freepers were happy to see it. He specifically said he had no beef with us at all. But the wonderful media here, which you seem to be so proud of, failed to report that, except for a few rare instances.
Yes, some people would find it hard to watch their hard won freedom slipping away into the hands of a dictator.
"You don't understand the depths of corruption there."
LOL! As opposed to the corruption that permeated the entire ranks of the Soviet Union and goes to the top of the current government?
"He stopped short of directly accusing the United States or its allies of sponsoring terrorism here and praised President Bush as a "predictable and reliable partner," but he argued that other Western officials hoped to undermine Russia and were willing to use whatever tools available to do so."
Seattle times. Go figure.
LOL! Yes, I see them supporting you and Putin fervently. Your problem is people have read what Putin has said, in total, and what other Russians are saying, in total.
You don't get it at all. Perhaps another freeper can elaborate for you. I am not going to post my personal experiences here.
Actually if you read the threads, there are more supporters than those of your ilk.
I do get it...when an ex-KGB agent who has been publicly bemoaning the demise of the Soviet Union, who has been moving his nation back towards Soviet think, moves to dismiss popular elections and mussles the press...I do get it.
Putin has fashioned the sort of system the Russian people want.
Now why does this sound so familiar? Oh, yes...
Well that is what Germany has right now. Chancellor Hitler is about to be re-elected to another term. He has eliminated much of his political opposition. He has taken control of the radio networks. He has cracked down on business corruption. He now has, in effect, a rubber stamp parliament known as the Reichstag. But the free market in Germany is flourishing. The economy is growing significantly. Foreign investment has begun to flow into Germany. Real income of most ordinary volk is increasing.
Hitler has fashioned the sort of system the German people want.
Let everyone be mindful. We may have a common enemy, but not yet a common purpose.
Nice talking to you, don't forget to vote for Bush.
Reichstag fire?
In Russia Chess master Kasporov is free to challenge Kremlin policy without fear of jail....in America Chess Master Bobby Fischer hunted down like dog around world and is go to jail for defying State Dept. travel policy.
WHAT A COUNTRY!!!
I do get it. We fought a cold war with the Soviet Union for many years. Many years during which whole nations were forced to kneal to their Soviet masters. President Reagan didn't call it the Evil Empire for nothing...it was evil.
I haven't forgotten and I am watching...and Putin is our enemy.
In Russia Chess master Kasporov is free to challenge the Kremlin without fear of jail....in America Chess Master Bobby Fischer hunted down around world and is to go to jail for defying State Dept travel policy.
WHAT A COUNTRY!!!
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