The Electoral Muscle
By Sean at 23 September, 2007, 7:14 pm
The pawns are moving into place. Kommersant reports that Nashi’s “muscle”, the Voluntary Youth Militia (Dobrovol’naia molodezhnaia druzhina, DMD) has offered its “help” to the Moscow police in maintaining order during the parliamentary elections in December. According to DMD’s leader Oleg Lobkov, Nashi “is worried that extremist organizations such as Red Youth Vanguard, the National Bolsheviks, and their pro-fascist allies will mobilize on the eve of the elections.” “It is our civic duty to resist these organizations and help the police,” adding, “We will work with the police and district militia officers. It is now a difficult time and it will become more difficult, and they have few people.”
With that purpose in mind, Kommersant says, Lobkov met with Viacheslav Kozlov, the deputy head of the Moscow Main Department of Internal Affairs (GUVD) to offer DMD’s support. Kozlov is famous for leading detachments of OMONtsy against a Dissenters’ March protests in Moscow. Nashi’s integration into Moscow security forces, Kommersant explains, will occur thus: Nashi members will first join the DMD, who will then be placed under UVD detachments. Under Russian law, the activists can involve themselves in public conflicts granted that they are deputized as members of the Moscow “people’s militia”. The law allows for “citizens to demand public order” and “use physical force” to ensure it.
We first heard of DMD as Nashi’s internal security from Kommersant’s interview with “Ivan,” an expelled Nashi member who pointed to DMD’s role in maintaining order in Nashi’s Camp Seliger. About DMD, “Ivan” said:
[The]Voluntary youth guard, well [are] a type of cleaners. There have already been cases when they’ve beaten people who have spread information against Nashi. They can probably catch you anywhere. They are football fanatics, athletes, and ordinary thugs. They enforce the ideology and they fulfill their duties with pleasure.
[Their duties include] to keep order in the movement and its borders, instigate disorder in meetings and marches, which hasn’t been approved by those in power. For example, in the spring DMD arranged provocations in practically all the “Dissenters’ Marchers,” they provoked the police and threw smoke bombs, and as police approach they planted them in the bags of marchers.
According to the DMD website, the group defines themselves as such, only with much softer language. In the Voluntary Youth Militia, “youth have the chance to participate in the live of the country, can prevent and stop the misdeeds that surround us, can help in the struggle with crime and with manifestations of nationalism and xenophobia.” This includes working with the police to fight crime and maintain public order. DMD has chapters in 19 provinces, and according to documents “Ivan” gave to Kommersant, their funding comes directly from Nashi. For example, the budget for the Moscow DMD for the months of June, July, and August 2007 amount to 768,000 rubles or $29,538. No small operation.
More importantly, DMD’s cooperation with the Moscow police gives a better indication as to what Nashi’s role in the upcoming elections will be. Should we expect fighting in the streets?
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Another interesting post. I think the answer to your question is “no”, this is still further insurance for the Kremlin that there will not be a colored revolution in Moscow during this seasons’ crucial elections.
I would vote “yes” there will be fighting in the streets, as two sides (Kremlin and Kasparov) see such events as playing into their hands or strengths.
The Kremlin/Nashi folks would spin it as “see, we told you so – these outside forces are trying to steal our country from us and provoke chaos, like in Ukraine.”
The minority liberal Kasparov side would it as further evidence of autocratic rule in Russia and use it for continued appeals to the West.
It is easy to see two sides just itching for a smackdown. It’s like the WWE, each side jawing at the other, waiting to get a piece of each other in the ring.
I’m not completely sure that “Ivan” actually exists. This IS Kommersant.
Remember what Paul Saunders said of Kommersant’s Mitya Sidorov. Like Robert Bridge, he has survived several regimes while remaining at the same company.
Kind of like the Soviet era Afghan foreign minister who had served four different Afghan governments.
Kommersant’s Eng. lang. translation has improved.
I’m not completely sure that “Ivan” actually exists. This IS Kommersant.
Even without Kommersant’s report on Nashi intentions or a DMD within Nashi, there are other media reports that paint a similar picture – Nashi is primed to have confrontations at the polls to counter any perceived “orange revolution” strategies.
Sure. I’m just not at all convinced “Ivan” exists.
Sort of like how Politkovkaya’s stories seemed to contain lots of anonymous informers. I think half the time she was writing works of fiction. My favorite is when she “met” an “inside informant” who told her that the FSB had organized the Dubrovka hostage-taking. Faction, people. Fiction.
Fiction, not faction.
Sorry for the misspell.
“Sure. I’m just not at all convinced “Ivan” exists.
Sort of like how Politkovkaya’s stories seemed to contain lots of anonymous informers. I think half the time she was writing works of fiction. My favorite is when she “met” an “inside informant” who told her that the FSB had organized the Dubrovka hostage-taking. Faction, people. Fiction.”
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Or Rudnitsky favorite Felgenhauer’s JRL posted belly ache about how Lynn Berry censored his story about claimed Russian atrocities in Nalchik. Among other things, Roy’s Intelligent.ru slam on that put him in the JRL doghouse fow awhile.
Is Felgenhauer back at TMT?
On “Ivan” existence. Why would Kommersant lie? Interviewing a fake disgruntled Nashi member isn’t the same as Politkovskaya supposedly lying about Kremlin conspiracies. Plus anonymous sources are part of the trade.
Another thing is that even if Politkovskaya did meet with a genuine, but anonymous FSB or Kachurskaya with a genuine, but anonymous “Ivan”, they might have said what they said to each reporter for their own reasons. I’m not saying that they are lying, but that I can see an FSB and a disgruntled Nashi member saying certain truths and not others.
Plus given the fact that most of what “Ivan” said corresponds with what Nashi reps have said or have done, does it matter whether he actually exists? What “he” said in the interview seems to be pretty right on so far.
I don’t know, a debate over whether “Ivan” actually exists is pretty lame (even though I just willingly engaged in said lameness).
What I find more disturbing is that it appears that Chris and Mike actually see eye to eye on something. If so, then the Doomsday clock must be about 2 seconds from midnight.
“does it matter whether he actually exists?”
??
If a source is cited that is actually fictional, but other real sources provide the same information as the fictional source, does it matter if the fictional source is fictitious?
I suppose it does, as the “real” sources that are providing information might be lying, even if the reporters citing them are not. The whole thing could be a web of lies that we are being fed regarding Nashi’s intentions and behaviors.
However, I’m skeptical of it being a mishmash of lies, as the Kremlin’s urgency regarding the color revolutions and strategies they perceived as being implemented by foreign governments, is very real. Those concerns have come directly from Putin’s mouth.
So, given the Kremlin’s perceptions, are we to believe they won’t attempt a counter strategy themselves?
“to counter any perceived “orange revolution” strategies.”
Orange, apple or watermelon strategies – all are in the past. Compare Georgia and Ukraina with Russia – is like compare apples and oranges
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I agree with Sean – “Ivan” exists.
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But I also agree with Chris
I mean that this “Ivan” just made his story. With the help of Kommersant.
With all “details” he told it was so easy for Nashi’s gestapo to find out who he was
And make tatoo on his back – red star and Putin face
“However, I’m skeptical of it being a mishmash of lies, as the Kremlin’s urgency regarding the color revolutions and strategies they perceived as being implemented by foreign governments, is very real. Those concerns have come directly from Putin’s mouth.”
I have got to figure out how to deal with italics in such fora.
First off, a propos of nothing, this Robert Johnson CD I just bought just rocks.
Second, Russian newspapers use a lot of sockpuppets. During the Yukos affair, Novaya punlished a long “interview” with an “unnamed top FSB man” who was transparently mythical, because everything he said conformed entirely to Novaya’s editorial take. “Ivan” reeks of sockpuppet to me.
This does not mean that the Kremlin and/or Nashi do not intend to forestall a “colored revo” should one be attempted (as it likely will be, or rather I should say an ersatz revo will be staged for the TV cameras by Limonov et al.). They probably are.
http://lenta.ru/photo/2007/09/24/drugaja/
Does anyone think that these guys offering something better?
I thought Drugaya Rossiya split up? Or was that wishful thinking on my part?
Does anyone think that these guys offering something better?
I don’t think anybody was pimping for Drugaya Rossiya.
But it is disturbing when you have a group of young adults looking to crack the heads of anyone who expresses a differing opinion at the polls. The thing I keep wondering about is – if things are really becoming so good for Russia and Russians these days, then where does all this anger and fear come from?
Perhaps it will take generations of wealth and stability within Russia before anyone will allow an idea to be born from somewhere outside of the Kremlin walls, without the government feeling threatened by it. If it takes that long, Russians will certainly be poorer for it.
Chris, I think what happened is that Kasyanov left Other Russia – something about sharing the limelight, as I recall.
if things are really becoming so good for Russia and Russians these days, then where does all this anger and fear come from?
Makes you wonder how much of that oil wealth is trickling down.
Makes you wonder how much of that oil wealth is trickling down.
For those directly or indirectly employed in the oil and gas industry, quite a lot. Which is why Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is miles richer than most other Russian towns of the same size.
For those not involved in the industry, based on what I have seen by looking around me and the experience of almost every other country with a (mainly) nationalised oil industry, I am certain that very little oil wealth is trickling down much below the first one or two layers of government and associated favoured sons.
“But it is disturbing when you have a group of young adults looking to crack the heads of anyone who expresses a differing opinion at the polls.”
How did you, Shedd, come to this conclusion about Nashi’s DND … oops DMD?
In old soviet days it was DND – narodnaya druzhina.
Or do you think that “We will work with the police and district militia officers” means that police job is cracking heads of different mind?
How did you, Shedd, come to this conclusion about Nashi’s
My observations about Nashi’s training, behaviors, and choice of words are clear.
I’m wondering how do you imagine that Nashi will perform their “civic duty to resist these organizations” that they have repeatedly called fascist, under a law that will allow “citizens to demand public order” and “use physical force” to ensure it?
Perhaps you think they will be blowing kisses and handing out flowers?
Perhaps you imagine that even if Nashi were to adopt such pacifist tactics (which they clearly are not) that political opponents won’t attempt to escalate the situation until someone gets smacked around?
Again, as I pointed out – you have two sides that both see benefits to some disorder and fighting in the streets. I hope they prove me wrong, but this is generally a recipe for someone to get their head kicked in.
“you have two sides that both see benefits to some disorder and fighting in the streets.”
First. What benefits are seen by Nashi in street disorder?
So far only NBP (Limonov) and AKM (Avangard krasnoy molodezhi) were seen as main cause for disorders. And best “PR” for Limonov.
second. When I was much…much younger I was a member of such kind of DMD (yes – everything was invented long time before Google). As there were no “orange” bands around we dealt with criminals. Real ones. But even they didn’t see benefits to fight with us. Why? They knew that then they would fight with police. So we were more like eyes and ears – not the fist… And – as you know – this works. “Bad guys” loose much of their “might” when they are just watched.
Fourth. All are talking about Nashi like something that exists everywhere and everytime. But the real difference between Komsomol and Nashi is simple. We were to be members of Komsomol. Without choice. It was part of social structure.
Nashi has to attract members with something. It’s people choice to joint Nashi or not. I think that every evening there much more people in disco and other clubs in Moscow than at Nashi’s last summer camp from the whole country.
Fifth. I think it would be better to ask those living in Russia about their experience with Nashi. If they noticed Nashi’s presence at all
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What benefits are seen by Nashi in street disorder?
It proves the bad guys, sponsored by Americans or whatever bugaboo they can invent, really exist. It proves the Kremlins case against NGOs, etc. Just as the Kremlin is working to focus attention on outsiders that threaten the country, a conflict at the poles would mobilize Russian’s attentions on the other, something bad caused by outsiders.
Nashi has to attract members with something. It’s people choice to joint Nashi or not.
Which group, Komsomol or Nashi, is therefore likely more fanatical?
I think it would be better to ask those living in Russia about their experience with Nashi.
Nobody has said that Nashi is either a large or a powerful organization. I suspect they aren’t discussed on Russian television at all.
Sean excerpt:
“What I find more disturbing is that it appears that Chris and Mike actually see eye to eye on something. If so, then the Doomsday clock must be about 2 seconds from midnight.”
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The post right after:
“Chrisius Maximus on September 24, 2007 3:36 pm ‘does it matter whether he actually exists?’”
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Sean:
Some MachiaLavellian types out there. Like a certain person who tells me “I’m not your enemy.” Meantime, that person says and does a number of behind the scene things against me.
Someone in the media business once told me how some of the biggest ***** ****** are those who appear to share his views. Conversely, there’re others having more opposite views, who are more decent.
***** ******
I’ve been puzzling over what offensive phrase was deleted here. “Sheep lovers”? “Putin shills”?
Keep at it, seeing how it puts you in a more constructive state.
“Fifth. I think it would be better to ask those living in Russia about their experience with Nashi. If they noticed Nashi’s presence at all
)”
I haven’t, other than on TV and in print media.
“I suspect they aren’t discussed on Russian television at all.”
They are.
I’ve been puzzling over what offensive phrase was deleted here. “Sheep lovers”? “Putin shills”?
I was guessing “Putin Lovers” or “Sheep shills”.
If there were a group of politically engaged young Americans who wore Bush Tshirts and signed up to “help the cops” keep order during the elections — let’s call them BEBT (Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed) — wouldn’t you object?
Well I would, and I also object to Nashi, but I think it is understandable in the latter’s case given the trauma of the 90s and the identification of coming out of it with VVP. I think people are scared of a return of the 90s. I’m reminded of when Yeltsin accounced a few years ago that he might be returning to politics (or something to that effect) and everybody freaked out.
CM, there were the 90s and there are the 90s. The actual 90s were a hellish time for most people, and they were a time when they saw and heard a great deal of what was happening in their country, which made it triply hellish. But they were also years when lots of Russians went abroad for the first time, or bought their first cars, or came out of the closet, or went to wet t-shirt contests. Then there are the 90s are portrayed by the present administration, which are very different from the actual 90s.
Look around the political arena in Moscow — is it really, truly reasonable to “fear” that the elections are going to be taken over by some thugs with USAID badges on?
And even if there were any fears of this — don’t we want the state bodies that are supposed to oversee the elections to do their job — and not have politically engaged teenagers involved? Am I the only crack pot who still harbors a belief in, uh, laws? Why do we need vigilantes?
“Look around the political arena in Moscow — is it really, truly reasonable to “fear” that the elections are going to be taken over by some thugs with USAID badges on?”
I said understandable, not reasonable.
Actually I don’t think the Kremlin is lying when they say they think an “orange revo,” i.e., a coup d’etat, is possible. They are probably wrong, but I think they believe it. They know that the USSR was undone by a coup, and they think the Russian Federation may be as well.
Losing your country is a very traumatic experience that leaves scars, after all.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20071101/86235099.html
Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov announced on Thursday that fresh opposition rallies are to take place in Moscow and St. Petersburg on November 24 and 25.
“We have prepared an appeal to members of different political forces that are in opposition or believed to be in opposition to the current government to take part in the protests,” the ex-world chess champion and head of the United Civic Front political party said.
Kasparov, a main figure in The Other Russia opposition coalition comprising liberals, leftists and nationalists, said the rallies were designed to highlight the coalition’s scorn for elections to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, due on December 2.
None of the parties that make up The Other Russia have registration to stand in the coming parliamentary elections.
“We are suggesting [that people] cross out all the parties on the ballot papers and put down ‘The Other Russia’ on them instead,” Kasparov said. “This is our form of boycott”.
He said voters could thereby reinstate the “against all” choice on ballot papers. The option was abolished last year.
You can mark your calendar. November 24th and November 25th.
Head. Cracking. Time.
I’ll be very surprised if some incident isn’t written about or broadcast on Western news. I won’t be surprised if Kasparov brings in a few hooligans as ringers just to start something to get attention.