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Opinion
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Letters to the Editor
CLOSER TO CHINA
Soviet Patriotism in tion. Stalingrad was at least as
World War II important as D-day. This should
This comment is prompted by never be forgotten.
RALPH WINNIE
Anna Arutuyan’s article in the Every Soviet soldier had at least SPECIAL TO RUSSIA NOW
Nov. 18 issue, “Russia’s Presi- one family member who was
dent Dmitry Medvedev Issues either deported or killed by Sta- During President Barack Obama’s
Tough Condemnation of Stalin- lin. And yet, many fought and recent trip to the People’s Republic
ism.” My father, arrested in died while chanting his name. of China, he strongly urged China
1938, died in Kolyma. But I did How can this be explained? His- to strengthen its currency as ten-
not know that Oct. 30 was the torian Orlando Figes wrote that sions escalate between the United
memorial day for victims of So- relaxation of the party propa- States and China over exchange
viet repression; I will start com- ganda of class struggle was part rates. While both President Hu Jin-
memorating it. I agree that Rus- of it. Pravda dropped its peace- tao and President Obama agreed to
sia’s achievements during World time masthead, “Proletarians of work together on pressing interna-
War II were due mostly to all lands, unite!” The slogan that tional issues, Obama has now joined
the people’s heroism. replaced it was “Death to the many world leaders calling on China
The undeniable heroism of German invaders!” to allow its currency, the renminbi,
Soviet people was mentioned But that was not all; special to appreciate. Obama contends that
in my short book, “Hell on Earth: units were used to shoot sol- the currency is undervalued and
Brutality and Violence Under the diers who lagged behind or tried damages U.S. exports. The Russian
Stalinist Regime,” written for to run away. How important Federation, however, has been quiet
Americans who are not familiar were these measures? Accord- on this matter.
with Soviet history. The more I ing to Figes, they were ineffec- The People’s Republic of China has
think about Stalinism the more tive. Some Soviet people would become a major economic player in
I am fascinated by it. On the probably have been less patri- the world community. As China con-
one hand it was a political sys- otic if they had been aware of tinues to grow, Russia views the situ-
DRAWING BY DMITRY DIVIN
tem that killed millions of its deportations of entire nations ation as more of an opportunity rath-
own people; on the other hand to Kazakhstan. Victory was not er than a threat. China has been Asia. Many people associated with ward U.S. policy when, during his wants to strengthen Russia’s ability
it was an effective instrument easy; for every German soldier successful in actively promoting joint these firms are former high-ranking recent meeting with President Obama to choose its own partners in an in-
for the defeat of a different ty- killed during the war, the Sovi- venture partnerships with profitable Russian military officers, including ex- in Beijing, Hu mentioned, “We will creasingly globalized society. For the
rannical system, Naziism. It is ets lost three soldiers. Western companies. Currently, Rus- KGB, who were among the most pro- continue to act in a spirit of equality, past twenty years, Russia has always
not at all obvious that Hitler LUDWIK KOWALSKI sia lacks the ability to effectively inte- fessionally trained in the former mutual respect and noninterference sought recognition from the West as
would have been defeated with- MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY, grate these new technologies into the U.S.S.R. These people seek out prof- in each other’s internal affairs.” a leading superpower. However,
out the Red Army’s contribu- MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY fabric of its economy. itable joint venture business oppor- It has been suggested that Russia strong criticism of Russia by presi-
The Russian government recogniz- tunities, thereby hoping to prevent views a close economic, political and dents George W. Bush and Bill Clin-
es that the key to developing a ro- the United States from dominating strategic relationship with China as ton created a perception that the
bust and stable economy is to push global affairs. According to recent a viable, ongoing relationship that United States is an arrogant hege-
strengthening relations with China. studies, many Russians (47 percent) could mature into a political, eco- monist. Unlike China, the prevailing
Let Us Hear Your Voice!
Russia is eager to understand how have responded favorably to increas- nomic or military union similar to the view among the Russian government
China has been able to rapidly ab- ing trade contacts and ties with China. North Atlantic Treaty Organization or is that the United States is seeking
sorb and utilize Western know-how Russians view the rise of China as the the now-defunct Warsaw Pact. In this domination, manipulation and isola-
We welcome letters to the ed- umns become the sole and entrepreneurial business success; result of a more multipolar world. new union, China, Iran, Russia, Ven- tion of Russia.
itor and reserve the right to property of Rossiyskaya Gaze- it seeks to emulate China’s relatively They believe that the United States ezuela and many other non-Western The closer relationship being es-
edit for length and clarity. ta. We do not publish anony- open economy. Privatized Chinese must learn to coexist with other ris- nations would emerge as a powerful tablished between China and Russia
Please send your comments by mous letters, letters advocating companies can now work together ing powers, including China and Rus- bloc in opposition to the imposition should encourage the United States
e-mail (editor.usa@rg.ru) extremism or containing per- with Western companies to develop, sia. by the West of Western-style capital- to alter its mindset toward Russia. The
or fax (0870 928 9823), to- sonal attacks, mass mailings or refine and control capitalism. By con- While the Russian government ism and democracy. This system is United States must support the emer-
gether with your name, address commercial appeals. trast, Russia’s economy has been char- wants to protect and defend Russia’s still viewed as chaotic, unstable and gence of a rapidly growing Russian
and a contact telephone num- All articles and letters appear- acterized as unstable, unmanageable sovereignty, they recognize that the uncontrollable by the Russian gov- middle class. Encouraging Russia to
ber for verification. If you do ing on the opinion page do and unworkable. This is due to the Federation may be better protected ernment and its people, who still viv- participate as a responsible stakehold-
not wish your name or e-mail not necessarily reflect the po- interrelation of organized crime with through closer economic ties with idly remember the collapse of Russia er in the global community will help
to be published, please indi- sitions and views of the editors Russian political leaders and nation- China rather than the West. Many and its tumultuous transition to a Russia choose and manage its eco-
cate this clearly. Once pub- of Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Rus- alization of successful foreign busi- Russians believe that the Chinese re- democratic system. nomic and political relationships wise-
lished, letters and guest col- sia Now. nesses. spect a country’s internal affairs and The prospect of China providing ly.
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Many members of the Russian po- don’t seek to enforce the ideals of a a security buffer against Russia has
litburo have strong ties with oil and “good society” on other sovereign been the rationale for mistrust and Ralph E. Winnie, Jr., is the Director of
natural gas companies seeking to in- nations. Moreover, President Hu Jin- suspicion between China and Russia. the Eurasian Business Coalition’s China
crease and expand their presence in tao echoed the Russian sentiment to- However, the leadership in Russia Program.
The Polls
Most Russians Favor Death Penalty
THE ALL-RUSSIAN PUBLIC RESEARCH CENTER ASKED RUSSIANS
WHETHER THEY MORALLY OPPOSE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. AN OVER-
EASTERN PROMISES
WHELMING MAJORITY VOICED SUPPORT FOR THE DEATH PENALTY IN
CASES OF EXTREME VIOLENCE AND ABUSE.
to one largely controlled by the Sino- for political, economic and military Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s inner
DO YOU BELIEVE IN CAPITAL PUNISHMENT?
ANDREI TSYGANKOV
philes, who have supporters in the union along the lines of a Warsaw circle. As the key negotiator, Sechin
SPECIAL TO RUSSIA NOW
government; energy firms with ties to Pact with China, India, Iran and other is now applying the model of a re-
China’s influence in Russia continues Asia; and the military-industrial com- non-Western nations. cently signed oil deal with China to
to expand. Even routine domestic plex. The general public has also grown In the area of economic relations, other energy areas including electric-
economic decisions in Russia are in- more pro-China over time. For exam- the pro-China position is often fa- ity, natural gas and atomic energy.
creasingly made with a consider- ple, a June poll revealed that the share vored by energy producers and mil- The prospect of a growing pro-Chi-
ation of China. For instance, Beijing of Russians viewing China as a strate- itary enterprises seeking high-ticket na tilt in Russia’s foreign policy may
sent a delegation to Moscow in July gic and economic partner had grown defense contracts in Asia. Kremlin force the West to alter its foreign pol-
to negotiate the conditions of a large from 34 percent to 41 percent over strategists believe the country would icy course. Rather than trying to se-
group of ethnic Chinese affected by the past several years. In addition, 47 be better off redirecting its oil and cure the 21st century as another Amer-
the Moscow government’s decision percent of the respondents voiced op- gas supplies toward Eurasian coun- ican or Western century, Washington
to close the large Cherkizovsky Mar- timism regarding the future of rela- tries such as China and India because and Brussels will do well to prepare
ket following multiple violations of tions with China. such a measure would assist the coun- for the emergence of a post-Western
labor and immigration law. Headed Sinophiles push strengthening re- try in developing energy-intensive world and reassess the role that Rus-
by Beijing’s deputy trade minister, the lations with China based on Russia’s goods and transforming its current sia will play in this new structure. Pre-
delegation negotiated restoration of economic and security priorities. Al- status as a raw materials appendage venting a potentially anti-Western Mos-
the trading area on the condition that though they want to defend Russia’s of Europe. cow-Beijing axis means that the West
China invest $1 billion. The influence sovereignty, they insist it would be As of now, Russia’s most common- has to strengthen its ties with Russia,
exacts a price: In recognition of the better protected by closer economic ly exported products to China are while preserving strong relations with
growing need for China’s investments and political ties with China rather energy and weapons, whereas the China. The objective should be not
and export markets, Russia is unwill- than the West. This is driven by in- most commonly imported products to marginalize or isolate China, but
ing to press environmental claims fluential leaders in the defense min- include everything from electronics rather to strengthen Russia’s ability to
against its neighbor for polluting the istry, foreign ministry and military-in- to clothes. In addition, some state choose its future partners in the post-
SOURCE: WWW.WCIOM.RU
Amur River. dustrial complex who want to prevent corporations have benefited from Chi- Western world.
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China’s rising importance has trans- the United States from dominating nese loans. For example, China’s $6
The vast majority of Russians con- According to the survey, most lated into the growing prominence of global affairs. Creating a multipolar billion loan helped Rosneft purchase Andrei P. Tsygankov, a native of Rus-
sider the death penalty an ac- of the respondents (65 percent) Sinophiles in Russia’s national discus- world is needed to revive Russia’s su- Yuganskneftegaz in a December 2004 sia, is an author published in the
ceptable punishment for some said capital punishment should sions. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, perpower status. Pushing for a U.S. auction. Notably, the chairman of United States, Russia and China. He
egregious crimes, said the All- also be applied to terrorists, the China discourse has evolved from retreat from Eurasia in the next five Rosneft is Igor Sechin, who is a dep- is a Professor of International Relations
Russian Public Research Center. while 27 percent disagreed. one dominated by the Westernizers years, advocates of multipolarity call uty prime minister and member of at San Francisco State University.
On Nov. 19, Russia’s Consti- The survey also showed 60
tutional Court extended a mor- percent were in favor of the
atorium on capital punishment. death penalty for people who
The court said that the ban, in- committed premeditated mur-
troduced in 1999, had begun ders. That position is unaccept-
an “irreversible process” toward able for 31 percent of those
the abolition of the death pen- questioned, with 9 percent un-
BEHIND POKER FACES
alty in Russia. sure.
“A total of 79 percent of Rus- The majority of respondents
sians consider it acceptable to said the death penalty should funny Crime and Punishment. (In de- mense store of classic Soviet-era jokes serious scandals derived from over-
apply the death penalty, primar- not be applied to corrupt offi-
KEVIN M.F. PLATT
SPECIAL TO RUSSIA NOW
fense of Dostoevsky, Nabokov de- that are retold to the present day: heard jokes. Or perhaps the problem
ily to those found guilty of rap- cials or to those found guilty of scribed his novels as “wastelands of A Red Commander addressing his is that Americans try so hard both to
ing minors. A total of 17 percent treason and espionage. I first ran into the problem of ex- literary platitudes” punctuated by troops: “Men, the Whites have been be happy and not to hurt anyone’s
are against such a punishment,” Some 1,600 people in 42 re- plaining Russian humor to Americans “flashes of excellent humor.” Some- defeated and the victory of the Rev- feelings.
a statement said. gions took part in the poll. while in graduate school. When I how, I missed the funny bits. The olution is secure. In the past, man Hurt, however, is often at the crux
would tell family and friends that my wastelands, too, actually.) The image exploited man. Now, it will be the of humor, as Russians seem to know
master’s thesis was about laughter problem is exacerbated by the Rus- other way around.” best. A Russian proverb (loosely trans-
in Russian literature, they would sian habit of maintaining a gloomy Indeed, communism and its ab- lated) runs: “Where a man feels pain,
laugh at me. Typically, in the Amer- poker face in public and a tendency surdities produced some of the best that’s what he’ll explain.” Russian
ican collective imagination, Russians toward, let us say, a brusque manner jokes of all: humor is, most often, a self-depre-
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places, dress in gray or brown, drink The irony is that Russians are actu- munism? Yugoslav revisionists say yes, iniquity, injustice and pain, of which
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vodka in shots without mixers and ally very funny people. They also have while Chinese dogmatics insist there Russians have had extra helpings —
RUSSIA, 125 993.
rarely smile, much less laugh. I’ve a great sense of humor. Being a spe- won’t be. We take a dialectic ap- especially in the last century or so.
EVGENY ABOV EDITOR & PUBLISHER KONSTANTIN FETS EXECUTIVE EDITOR
found that much of this image is cialist, I can write this in absolute, proach: There will be, but not for ev- Which brings me to a last Russian
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easy to dispel as an outdated Cold 100 percent seriousness. (In fact, I eryone. joke:
MILLA DOMOGATSKAYA HEAD OF PRE-PRINT DPT. IRINA PAVLOVA LAYOUT War stereotype. (Granted, Moscow just attended a Princeton University In my informal poll of Americans A man is walking down the street
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ficiency in the humor department likely an irrepressible gadfly and cutup Russians. Americans love to laugh, Kevin M. F. Platt is an Associate Profes-
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