Russia: Moscow Attempts To Entice Russians Back Home

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty ^ | 06-28-2006 | Claire Bigg

[sergey1973]

MOSCOW, June 28, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 26 gave his approval to a government program encouraging what it calls "compatriots" living abroad to return to Russia. The six-year plan, under which repatriates will receive cash and social benefits, is part of an effort to reverse the country's dramatic population decline.

[sergey1973]

Once in a while, Russia could follow reasonable policies. The success of this policy probably be mixed. Most Russians unlikely want to come to Putin's Russia from relatively prosperous and European Baltics or Ukraine.

However, for Russians (ethnical or cultural) living in post-Soviet hell-holes of Central Asia, it could be a decent alternative.

[sergey1973]

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[Cousin Eddie]

My prognostication for Vlady...FAT CHANCE.

My children's piano teacher (and family) got out 15-20 years ago, and there is no way in the world they would ever return. It isn't about the few bucks (or rubles) that he could throw them...it's FREEDOM!!!!!

They know that Russia is still extremely corrupt, still run by the same party apparatus that ruled the Soviet Union for 70+ years. Putin and all his cronies are basically ex KGB and other party officials. They were low level party members back in the '80s, now they're at the top of the pyramid and won't relinquish power -- anymore than the Soviet rulers would.

The regular folk have no upward mobility. Social welfare won't entice back people who've had a taste of the west.

[sergey1973]

Certainly for 99% Russians living in the West, there is absolutely no reason to return to Putin's Russia. However, for Russians living in Islamic Central Asia, it could be a decent alternative.

[GSlob]

Agree completely. Still, the Balts do not particularly like having the fifth column and could [if not already do] put a squeeze on it. For the Ukraine it would take splitting, due to the numbers involved.

[sergey1973]

Majority of Russians could be well integrated into Baltic States and quite many became citizens.

They are not Palestinians or Islamists living in the W. Europe or US.

[Centurion2000]

bump for later

[sergey1973]

"It isn't about the few bucks (or rubles) that he could throw them...it's FREEDOM!!!!!"

Definitely true. However, let's not forget about Russians living in Islamist hell holes of Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, etc.)

For them Putin's Russia will be at least a step forward -:))))

[Clintonfatigued]

Incidenteally, a recent survey found that Moscow is the most expensive city in the entire world. That's quite an accomplishment in a country that's an economic basket case.

[spanalot]

Take our Russian Mob types - Please.

[Simargal]

It is amusing to observe as participants of this forum nothing knowing about other countries try to express about them the opinion. By the way Putin's program is focused basically on the poor countries of the East Europe. Russian of the Central Asia in the basic weight live in Kazakhstan and do not want emigrate anywhere. In difference disorganized from submission of your country of Ukraine, Georgia and others where Bush managed to put the nationalists.

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The optimist learn Russian, the pessimist - English, the realist - Kalashnikov.