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Opinion
RUSSIA BEYOND THE HEADLINES
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Letters to the Editor
PUTIN STAYS ON TOP
Helping Russian Adopted Russian
Children daughter
Two articles caught my atten- In the November 28th edition
Editor's message:
tion in the November 28, 2007
there is an article by Sveltana
edition of the Russia Beyond
Sorokina in regard to adoptions.
the Headlines supplement to
My wife and I adopted a teenage
The Washington Post – “Adop-
INTRICACIES OF TRANSITION
Russian girl (14 going on 15),
tion in Russia” and “Priorities:
Victoria (nee Ivanova), from
Why does Russia Need the
Smolensk over 5 years ago.Our
National Projects?” I am work-
The Russian public and the political elite spent
daughter, whom we love very
ing with a Russian non-gov-
much, has graduated from St.
much of last year in apprehension over Vladimir
ernmental organization (NGO)
named “Development.” This
John’s College High School,
Putin’s imminent departure from the presidency.
group has been involved in
traveled with us to other coun-
It was only after Putin announced his intention to
HIV/AIDS education of in-
tries and other states in the U.S.,
head the government if First Deputy Prime Minister
mates in the Russian prison
been a Washington Debutante, Dmitry Medvedev were to be elected president (a
system (GUIN) in the Oblast of
gotten married and has a beau-
practically foregone conclusion) that the country
Sverdlovsk. They are complet-
tiful baby. She is very smart and
breathed a sigh of relief.
ing the first phase of the project
wants to be a pediatrician.
Why do most Russians so overwhelmingly pin their
which has been a six month ef-
ARTHUR HEIMBOLD AND MARGARET
hopes on Putin? Is it good or bad for democracy?
fort funded by a $15,000 grant BYRNE HEIMBOLD,
from a small American founda-
WASHINGTON, DC
We offer the opinions of three specialists on what is
tion. Given the limited amount
increasingly being called "the Putin phenomenon.”
of funds, they have achieved A side effect of
One article comes from a young politician; another,
some phenomenal results. We
Sputnik
from a prominent liberal sociologist; the third, from
are hoping to secure some ad-
an economist responsible for some of the radical
ditional funding to continue I greatly enjoyed reading the ar-
economic reforms of the 1990s.
and perhaps expand the proj- ticle about Sputnik in your Sep-
ect. As you know, there is a
Also, have a look at the commentary of Alexander
tember issue. Here is one more
major problem with HIV/AIDS
effect Sputnik had: it killed Ford’s
Melikhov, a prominent author from St. Petersburg, the
in the Russian prison system
then-new “Edsel” automobile.
home town of Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev,
due to widespread IV drug use
The Edsel and Sputnik were
on http://rbth.rg.ru/articles/leader_or_myth.html DRAWING BY DMITRY DIVIN
among young people. On my
launched around the same time.
last trip to Yekaterinburg I had
Ford trumpeted that developing
the opportunity to visit an or-
the Edsel had cost around $250
phanage where a large num-
million. Then came Sputnik,
large nationwide youth political move-
ber of the children were HIV
which caused a great shock in
ments, including Molodaya Gvardia
positive as a result of having
THE PRESIDENT OF HOPE
the U.S.: that we were falling be-
(Young Guard), Nashi (Ours) and
one or both parents with the Rossiya Molodaya (Young Russia).
disease. So the problem of in-
hind the Soviets technologically.
Their main goal is the socialization of
jection drug use and the HIV/
We realized our money should
ordinary citizens into selling their terror, and regained its position in the young leaders into the country’s so-
AIDS infection (which very
be spent on training engineers,
ALEXEI SAGAIDAK
KALININGRAD vouchers for practically nothing, while international political arena. cial and political system. There is al-
often results) certainly impacts
not developing still more cars.
a select few enriched themselves at A massive administrative reform was ready some success on this front —
the overall health of the gener-
Driving an Edsel became viewed
If you were to try and categorize the everyone else’s expense. Compa- launched in which the powers of dif- recent years have seen a marked
al populace.
as close to a lack of patriotism. It
Putin phenomenon, you might be nies were grabbed, while financial ferent levels of government were increase of the number of young peo-
failed, and no wonder.
GARY L. DENNIS, PH.D.SENIOR
tempted to say it is a blend of political pyramids and turf wars between crim- clearly delineated and new proce- ple taking part in city and regional par-
ASSOCIATE, RUDOLPH HIRSCH,
will and luck. Of course, one might inals became rife. I remember having dures were introduced for electing the liaments. Though broadly agreeing
USA (VIA EMAIL) USA (VIA EMAIL) argue it has more than a fair bit to do the distinct feeling that the govern- governors of Russian regions. The with the national policy, these new
with the temporarily expensive world ment had given up responsibility for right of citizens to local self-govern- politicians are more ready than most
energy market. That would be justi- public security – that was left to the ment was sealed and the responsibil- to make corrections, spot the govern-
We welcome letters to the editor
fied. But alone it would not be enough mob. ities of local governments were clear- ment’s errors, propose ways of deal-
editor.usa@rg.ru
to account for the more developed The ongoing Chechen conflict also ly defined. The economy was ing with problems and assume re-
state we see today, for clear national brought grief to many Russian homes reoriented to innovation and integra- sponsibility for decisions.
priorities which are supported by the and undermined the morale of the tion into the world market. The elec- On March 2, 2008, the nation will elect
majority of the population, for the Russian army. It was a senseless war toral system was reformed. On De- a new president. So, to a certain ex-
emergence of a unifying ideology or that allowed some to line their pock- cember 2, 2007, the State Duma was tent, Russia is poised for political
for the economic and social progress ets. There was a scramble among elected according to a new principle change. But the Duma elections have
Live Journal
achieved in the last years. Russia’s regions to declare their sov- under which seats are distributed ex- confirmed that the general public sup-
The 1990s saw Russia disintegrating; ereignty. Even in my native Kalinin- clusively among political parties. This ports Putin’s reforms. By signaling his
it was a period of oligarchic free-for- grad region — a loyal Russian ex- reform has made parties more ac- intention to step down from the presi-
Russian Bloggers Discuss Dmitry Medvedev
all. I remember my father receiving a clave wedged between Poland and countable before citizens for their de- dency this year, while maintaining a
privatization voucher. For those un- Lithuania — there was a public de- cisions and has strengthened the presence in politics, Putin has both
THE IDENTITY OF PUTIN’S SUCCESSOR IS NOW IN LITTLE DOUBT. DMITRY
aware of this scheme, voucher priva- bate as to whether to remain part of democratic process in Russia. guaranteed the country’s continued
MEDVEDEV HAS RECEIVED THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE FOUR KREMLIN-
tization was a policy implemented in Russia. No less importantly, ambitious “na- stability, and left the door open for
FRIENDLY PARTIES AND PUTIN HIMSELF. AS POWER BEGINS TO SHIFT AWAY
the early 1990s whereby every citizen And then, in 2000, a new president tional projects” were launched in young politicians to help shape its fu-
FROM PUTIN (IN THEORY, ANYWAY), WHAT ARE WE TO MAKE OF THE SUC-
received an investment check sup- appeared who undertook to rectify 2005. They were aimed at developing ture course.
CESSOR? FOLLOWING LAST MONTH'S DEVELOPMENTS, RBTH ASKED RUS-
-
posedly exchangeable for shares of past mistakes. The conflict in the Cau- key areas of the economy, improving
SIAN BLOGGERS ABOUT MEDVEDEV: WILL HE HAVE REAL INFLUENCE, OR WILL
government-owned companies. But casus was ended within a short peri- human capital. Alexei Sagaidak, 25, is a deputy
HE SIMPLY BE A FRONT FOR POWERFUL AND BROODING KREMLIN ELITES?
rather than stimulating low-level cap- od of time. Russia also suddenly be- Putin also developed a new, young (the United Russia party) of the Ka-
italism, this scheme ended up tricking came an ally of the West in the war on political elite. There are now several liningrad City Council
The overwhelming majority of er.” User fuji_oka went as
bloggers likened Medvedev to far as proposing Medvedev for
a political marionette — at least Hollywood, writing: “I may be
for the time being. On the other mistaken regarding what kind
hand, many also identified sim- of a person he is, but he looks
ilarities with 1999, when a virtu- like the principal bad guy from
AT THE HELM OF A TIRED NATION
ally unknown Vladimir Putin a Mafia movie.”
was propelled onto the Russian Thinking about whether any-
political stage. User tuarisa thing will change with Medve-
BORIS DUBIN
dence in Putin became based al- gory eventually dominating. Howev- as the wealth gap, rising inflation and,
writes: “With Medvedev’s as- dev’s rise to power, bloggers MOSCOW most exclusively on the contrasts be- er, by the end of Putin’s first presiden- most importantly, the cancellation of
cension to the presidential are either pessimistic, like tween him and his predecessor, tial term, it became clear that the new social benefits (in exchange for token
post, nothing will change signif- demiuses who wrote: “Ex- In Russia, an appointment to the post Boris Yeltsin. Yeltsin had been an President favored consistency over a sums of money), exclusively on the
icantly. But I’m having déjà vu: changing members of the polit- of Prime Minister usually sends a pol- ailing old man, while Putin was young rollercoaster ride of reforms. Histori- government, and not the President
haven’t we seen this some- ical elite (Putin-Medvedev) itician’s ratings to unheard of heights. and athletic. Yeltsin had always been cally, Russians had never expected himself.
where already? Did anybody won’t change anything. It won’t Under Yeltsin, Prime Ministers Yevg- in the limelight and had thoroughly anything positive to come from the Even more confounding is the fact
know anything about Vladimir be worse, it won’t be better,” or eny Primakov and Sergei Stepashin enjoyed it, while Putin kept in the political elite anyway, so the fact that that today 60-80% of Russians do not
Putin, after all.” neutral, believing Medvedev will all saw their popularity skyrocket upon background. Yeltsin had rarely left Putin brought nothing at all augured link their family’s own material well-
User misamoll focused on only show his true face at a later their being tasked to head the govern- Moscow, while Putin made trip after well for his career. being with Russia’s economic growth
behind-the-scenes maneuver- date. g_bess, for example, ment. The same applied to Putin in trip across Russia with lightning Later, the windfall of petrodollars fa- or election results. Instead, Russians
ing: “Medvedev did not choose argued “Medvedev looks like a 1999, when he was charged with speed (in one famous episode, he cilitated small, but regular increases recognize increasing chasms devel-
himself. He is simply the alter- technical figure in a game. leading the second military campaign flew in a fighter jet to the war-rav- in wages, pensions and unemploy- oping in society (for example, be-
native figure that satisfies sev- But… we should not forget that in Chechnya from the Prime Minis- aged Chechen Republic). ment benefits. Poverty decreased as tween the rich and the poor) and con-
eral Kremlin camps: the siloviki he will hold the presidential post ter’s chair. Interestingly, the only com- However, perhaps the most essential the middle class began to feel safer, tinue to have almost no confidence in
(security organs), business- of a nuclear state in his hands. ment Russians made about Putin at contrast between the two men was while some “oligarchs” became even social institutions.
-
men and politicians. But when A person lacking political aspi- that time was that they couldn’t say that Yeltsin was a reformer, while wealthier. Interestingly, public grati-
he gets his hands on real pres- rations could not rise so high. anything bad about him. Most weren’t Putin represented stability. As a re- tude for this turn of events went al- Boris Dubin heads the socio-politi-
idential authority — maybe not This means that Medvedev able to say anything good, either. sult, Yeltsin was adored by some and most entirely to the President. Rus- cal research department at the Mos-
right away but in a year — he’ll likes the authority… My fore- Once he became president, confi- hated by others, with the latter cate- sians placed blame for problems such cow-based Levada Center
be able to switch the key fig- cast is that once he is the Presi-
ures in the government and dent, he will make Putin regret
work for himself, not for those putting him in that position.
who put him there.”
Other bloggers decided to
THE RUSSIAN BLOGOSPHERE HAS
ALMOST TRIPLED IN 12 MONTHS.
adopt a more light-hearted ap-
THESE SUMMARIES HAVE BEEN “UNFORTUNATELY,
the party that came to power (and
later formed the core of United Rus-
sia) had only one program: to support
proach when considering Med- TAKEN FROM RECENT POSTS the president. That proved enough
vedev. User gurzuff noted
ON THE SPECIAL COMMUNITY SET
for most ordinary citizens, who felt
how Medvedev "is neither tall
UP FOR THIS NEWSPAPER,
HTTP://COMMUNITY.LIVEJOURNAL.
nor broad-shouldered, but talks
COM/OPINION_RU,
well,” while tolstolobic,
L’ETAT, C’EST MOI...”
that conflict between the executive
and legislative branches was de-
AND ARE COMPILED BY MARINA structive, rather than constructive.
after watching Medvedev on
PUSTILNIK.
In other words, Russian voters turned
TV, claimed him to be no politi- parliament into a sort of “supporting
cian, but instead "a hypnotiz-
VITALY NAISHUL
It can be explained predominantly by est levels. This is the gist of the prob- structure” for the executive branch.
MOSCOW
the fact that the President has come lem that Russia faces today. And, again, this parallels past events.
to control all of the informal relation- Did things have to turn out this way? Throughout Russia’s history, parlia-
I had the opportunity to meet Vladimir ships of power and property among In the early 1990s, Russia attempted ment has proved to be not only a
Putin many times during his first term the elite. Due to Putin’s explicit aim of to build a system of checks and bal- weak institution, but an unworkable
RUSSIA: BEYOND THE HEADLINES THIS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE WASHINGTON POST
as president. The impression I gained building a strong “power vertical,” the ances, but out of the three branches one. It has been dissolved and “do-
PREPARED BY ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA IN COOPERATION WITH THE ADVERTISING
DEPARTMENT AND DID NOT INVOLVE THE WASHINGTON POST NEWS STAFF. WEB ADDRESS
— confirmed by people working presidency has a much greater sig- – executive, legislative and judiciary mesticated” by everyone from Nicho-
WWW.RBTH.RG.RU E-MAIL RBTH@RG.RU TEL. +7 (495) 775 3114 FAX +7 (495) 257 5382 closely with him — is that that he is nificance today than was the case – only the executive branch met the las II to Yeltsin; one has only to re-
ADDRESS 24 PRAVDY STR., BLDG. 4, FLOOR 12, MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 125 993.
not a man who likes power for its own with Yeltsin eight years ago. One challenge. Naturally, strong institu- member Yeltsin’s notorious
EVGENY ABOV EDITOR & PUBLISHER MIKHAIL BELYAT MANAGING EDITOR NICOLAI KOROLEV
sake. He won it unexpectedly and could compare the President’s cur- tions eventually take over the func- bombardment of the Congress of
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LAYOUT EDITOR, IRINA PAVLOVA LAYOUT EDITOR JULIA GOLIKOVA ADVERTISING & PR
has little ambition to keep it at any rent predicament to that of a head of tions of weaker ones. This develop- People’s Deputies in 1993.
MANAGER. E-PAPER VERSION OF THIS SUPPLEMENT IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.RBTH.RG.RU. cost. Indeed, I doubt he views the rul- a national bank who controls all of its ment is not without parallel in world Of course, there is no quick fix for
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ing elite’s manifestations of love for key receipts and major transactions. practice. Italy, for example, has com- these problems. One is left with the
INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER, WASHINGTON POST MEDIA SEGELL@WASHPOST.COM
him with anything but irony. If he does Naturally, if such a person were to petent courts, but weak administra- impression that, for the moment,
PH. +1 (212) 445 5853
© COPYRIGHT 2007, ZAO ‘ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA’. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALEXANDER
continue to exercise influence after leave the bank, his or her departure tion. As a result, Italian courts as- Russia is left facing another uncer-
GORBENKO GENERAL DIRECTOR VLADISLAV FRONIN CHIEF EDITOR. the March elections, it will not be be- would be seen as disastrous. In fact, sume some functions of the tain period of history: of two czars
ANY COPYING, REDISTRIBUTION OR RETRANSMISSION OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS
cause of a lust for authority, but be- Putin’s departure will not only disrupt executive. heading one state.
PUBLICATION, OTHER THAN FOR PERSONAL USE, WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF
-
cause Russia has yet to develop an the state of affairs on the federal In Russia, the courts are very weak,
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ARTICLE OR PHOTO, PLEASE PHONE +7 (495) 775 3114 OR E-MAIL RESALE@RG.RU WITH
adequate mechanism for the succes- level, but even on the regional one. and it is not yet fully understood how Vitali Naishul is President of the Insti-
YOUR REQUEST. LETTERS FROM READERS, GUEST COLUMNS OR CARTOONS LABELED sion of power. This is also due to his centralization to make them stronger. As for parlia- tute for the Study of Russian Econo-
"OPINION”, “COMMENT” ARE SELECTED TO REPRESENT A BROAD RANGE OF VIEWS AND THE
So what has made the ‘transfer of of power: changes at the top current- ment, its fate was decided by the my (ISRE), and one of the authors of
OPINION OF THE AUTHOR. E-MAIL TO EDITOR.USA@RG.RU OR FAX TO +1 (202) 330 5423 .
power’ so critical for the ruling elite? ly alter agreements even at the low- 1999 parliamentary elections, when the liberal economic reform
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ADDITIONAL READING MATERIAL:
RUSSIA BEYOND THE HEADLINES HOPES TO SERVE ITS READERS AS VALUABLE SOURCE ALEXANDER MELIKHOV / “NATIONAL LEADER OR NATIONAL MYTH?”/ Russia Beyond the Headlines / opinion, January 30, 2008 / www.rbth.rg.ru
OF INFORMATION FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA ANDREI VAVRA / “ADVANCED MATH OR THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY?” / RIA Novosti/opinion & analysis, December 18, 2007 / www.en.rian.ru
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