Garry Kasparov: KGB State

Wall Street Journal ^ | Thursday, September 18, 2003 | GARRY KASPAROV

[presidio9]

When Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrives at Camp David for next week's summit, President Bush will be welcoming the leader of a democratizing nation, a staunch ally in the U.S.-led war to defend the free world.

Right?

Wrong.

The world view that designates Mr. Putin as America's democratic ally is part of the same fragmented U.S. foreign policy in which the Pentagon has emerged as the most efficient branch of government. That's not to fault the Pentagon, which in its ability to cover any significant task in remote quarters has proved ready and efficient. But where the State Department and National Security Council should be providing diplomatic coverage and a plausible strategic rationale -- which certainly does exist -- for the global "War on Terror," there has been failure. Instead of offering us a new vision of global development, on the scale of Winston Churchill's historic 1946 "Iron Curtain" speech, the current administration has reduced its foreign policy to a vehicle of crisis micro-management.

[snopercod]

Security forces are interfering in business activities when and where they choose. The attorney general's office rubber stamps accusations against oligarchs and big businesses upon orders from the Kremlin, while local prosecutors are on a business-bashing quest to meet the expectations of their governors and mayors. Small and medium-size businesses are desperately trying to raise awareness for myriad Yukos-type clampdowns elsewhere in Russia. Independent-minded journalists are being sued and even imprisoned for publicly criticizing members of local administrations.

Russia is getting almost as bad as California.

[Carry_Okie]

I don't think we've been duped.

Considering the deluded composition of the US Department of State, I'd be hard pressed to think that any effort at "duping" would be necessary. ;-)

[Dog Gone]

I agree with that completely. Fortunately, they are not the only source of information regarding Russia that the Administration receives.

[snopercod]

What's missing from this picture? Property rights, for a start.

[RussianConservative]

What line of crap. Weak economy? 9th largest last year, bigger then Italy this year...so 8th largest. KGB state? What exactly KGB state...great buzz word but what it entail?

Condoleezza Rice's rush to "Forgive Russia" in fact was received by the Putin regime as a green light for any drastic actions Mr. Putin might care to take in moving toward a KGB regime back home.

What drastic actions? Maybe closet socialists at Wall Street Journal not like fact that Putin instigate 13% flat tax? Not very one world government....or that he put 24% corporate tax, get rid of sales tax and cut VAT in half? Maybe they hate Putin drastic action of really cutting back government...not just talk about issue? I know, they hate his drastic action of telling IMF where to shove head....or maybe it is property ownership they hate? Or judgement by jury trial...I know enlightened West elites only like three judge panel show trials like Milosovich.

Oh I know, maybe loosening of gun ownership laws?

No, no, silly me...I know what drastic...and Wall Street Urinal being economic toilet payer here is against...they against the Russian industry first push. They against Putin for not shipping Russian jobs out but for importing work and factories. They against strong economic growth and paying off of national debt. They against surpluses that not spent but set by law for rainy day.

Oh and that Putin Christian and Orthodoxy taught in schools and crosses and icons seen on flags, buildings and military while gay rights not exist and abortion curtailed...that not help his "KGB" image either.

[RussianConservative]

In Russia opposite. Now trial by jury. Now property rights. Now parties push for full legalization of guns (only partial right now). Now government economic transperancy....but most of all that Wall Street Urinal hate, oligarchs who stifle economic growth through monopoly (and who pay handsomely to West "intellectual" journals) brought to answer for fraud and theft....to bad isn't it. Russia follow US model of cuddling oligarchs for to long, for that US got Enron, Worldcom, Tyco, etc. Russia say enough of crap, why suffer like others better learn from their mistake.

[RussianConservative]

Yes you have one world governmenter who like his oligarchical monies just fine to back....how very socialist of you.

[RussianConservative]

Funny thing is, maybe Putin can "get away" with things because 70%+ public like him...wonder why consider he turn Russia around. At this point, Communist party consider great victory when they recruit 18,000 member per year (they probably loose twice to death of old age) and now have only 500K members (or one third one percent of Russians).

[Dog Gone]

Russia still has a long way to go in its transistion from a government-directed economy to a free market economy. It has made enormous progress, but it will take some time.

Foreign investment in Russia has begun on a limited basis, and when companies believe adequate safeguards exist to protect those investments, more will occur.

[RussianConservative]

PURE BS! Reason why oligarchs sponsor communists now.

[RussianConservative]

That funny if so much bullying then please explain why every week to two week new factory openning. Why EU, Japan and US firm now massively investing and capital flight less then half of what under Yeltsin "open" regime. Maybe because under Putin business leader must answer for criminal activity, while under Yeltsin said business leader did what he like and paid government to look other way. Think of country full of Enrons and Worldcoms. All through 90s you Americans scream at Russia to get control of Oligarchs and what embarressment about so much money laundering and such, but now that something being done, you Americans turn nose and scream other way...well good thing in end it up to Russia to clean own house and US ever changing never satisfied opinion not matter.

[RussianConservative]

Beside, these days what is called US economic model is excellent example to Russia what not to do. Articles that now in US printed on ruinous economic practice and outsourcing, have been printed in Russia for long time. Seems, in Russia American illness long time diagnosed...but patient until recently in denial.

[RussianConservative]

Foreign investment in Russia in major scale, this year alone double. Factories even move from future EU members to Russia...Czeck just lost factory from Germany now to open in Nizhni Novograd. Ford, Honda, Chrystler, Jeep, Toyota, BMW all have new factories in Russia. Many others including food factories. Russian companies now compete heavy with European in processed foods.

Russia listed for last 3 years as world's most stable and best market. It is foreign investment in US that fall some 50%+.

[Dog Gone]

Ford, Honda, Chrysler, Jeep, Toyota, BMW all have new factories in Russia.

I did not know that. That is good news.

[RussianConservative]

Yes, many new company move factory to Russia. Russia start to insist that if you sell in Russia, you produce in Russia...opposite US policy, also interesting, Japanese debt to earnings 16:1, US 2:1, Russian .5:1. Russia run surplus for 4 years, always growing too and monies off limits to Duma for spending, it used to pay back debt and prepare for any down turn. Russia this year around 7% growth.

[RussianConservative]

here is one example: saw mill

[eno_]

Russia has a long way to go. The hinterlands will not benefit for ten years, at least. But it is very arrogant to think Russia will fail to become part of the West. The Russian people have a tremendous will be reintegrate with Europe.

[Dog Gone]

Despite some very impressive accomplishments of the Soviets a few decades ago, the fact remains that the commanding heights of the economy remained under central control. It was not sustainable without competition and accountability.

The inevitable collapse has put Russia well behind its peers and it will take a few decades to catch up. There are still some very real obstacles to overcome.

Russia does not appear yet to be on the same growth track as China, which also dropped communism about the same time (actually a little later), despite keeping the official name.

[bruinbirdman]

"One would think that Condi Rice would know better."

Condi does know better. She orchestrated the fall of the evil empire. Right now, Russian problems are not at the top of the PR list. Plenty is taking place behind closed doors. Putin doesn't come to Camp David for no reason.

yitbos

[Carry_Okie]

Thank you.

I have been a bit concerned about the sale of Russian nuclear technology to Iran in that they may be either conducting an aggressive foreign policy by proxy or incapable of controlling sales of their own military technology by criminal oligarchs. Do you have a read on that?