KPRF takes a stand, Democrats unite, and “Ukraine is not even a state!”
By Sean at 9 April, 2008, 10:45 am
The post election political lull appears to be over as Russia’s politicians gear up for Medvedev’s presidency. As everyone already knows, Medvedev is expected to nominate Putin as Prime Minister. No one expected any opposition to this, since denying Putin dominance over Russian politics is like preventing tidal wave from hitting the shore. But it seems that Zyuganov’s Communists will make a show of opposition. The KPRF threatens to oppose Putin’s nomination because they haven’t been invited into any discussion about the future cabinet or Putin’s candidacy. According to Zyuganov, any candidate for Prime Minister “has a duty to meet with all [Duma] factions and give his opinion on how he will carry out his administrative and economic duties and how he perceives the administrative system.” Deputies from the other Duma parties, however, don’t see what Zyuganov is griping about. Sure, there might be a custom for an aspiring PM to meet with Duma leaders, says LDPR deputy Igor Lebedev, but “I think that Vladimir Putin can’t be bothered with it.”
The Duma pasted the third reading of a law that places new restrictions on national referendums. According to the Moscow Times, the law abolishes referendums on the federal budget, taxation, treaties and presidential terms. The Communists’ 57 members walked out of the vote. KPRF deputy Alexandr Kulikov stated that the passing the bill meant “we’re asking people to shut up.” United Russia leader Boris Gryzlov touted the bill as as a effort to maintain political stability. “We don’t need any political forces promoting the idea of a referendum, playing on the destabilization of the political situation,” he told reporters.
Gryzlov’s days as United Russia head appeared to be numbered. Putin is expected to be named party leader at its congress on April 14.
Russia’s self-proclaimed oppositions are also making moves and giving ultimatums. Last weekend, oppositionists met at the “The New Agenda for Democratic Movement” conference in St. Petersburg to plot their next move. 200 delegates from 30 regions came together with the to hope of forming a broader united democratic opposition. Until now, Russia’s liberals–Yabloko and Union of Right Forces–have declined joining up with Garry Kasparov’s Other Russia coalition. But given that Yabloko and SPS are on the precipice of political irrelevancy, it seem they need all the friends they can get.
However wide the democratic movement may be, it certainly is in no position to make ultimatums. But that didn’t stop the conference from passing a resolution that informed the Kremlin that they are prepared for a “constructive dialog with the state” and to have “contact with the state” on a variety of questions, namely, “the dismantling of authoritarianism.” Then came the ultimatum to President-elect Medvedev. Their demands were:
A review during the first hundred days after inauguration of all political issues including the Khodorkovsky case, securing the rights of citizens to assemble and demonstrate, the revoking of media censorship, and most important to change the electoral laws and prepare to conduct a special parliamentary election.
Let’s see, the chances of any of these happening are about, well, zero. But you have to give them a gold star for persistence.
The fact that the “orange threat” has been declared over hasn’t stopped the FSB. On Tuesday, FSB director Patrushev accused foreign NGOs of aiding terrorists. “Emissaries of foreign terror and religious extremist organizations, exploiting socio-economic problems and ethnic and religious differences, are trying to conduct recruiting efforts,” Patrushev said. “Individual foreign nongovernmental organizations provide information support to them to a large extent.” No specific NGO was mentioned. Patrushev’s comments were made with the announcement that the number of NGOs operating in Russia has dropped from 600,000 in 2002 to 227,577 in 2007. Human rights activists are expected an additional 15,000 to 20,000 to collapse this year. It seems that Russia’s new NGO registration law is doing its job. 11,000 NGOs were denied registration and another 8,274 were closed by the courts.
Aida Edemariam notes that Antonia Shapovalova’s Nashi wear is part of a wider phenomenon of political panties.
Quibbles about the usefulness of a political statement generally hidden under outergarments notwithstanding, a bit of digging reveals that there is quite a precedent for this kind of thing. In the run-up to the 2004 US election, for example, an outfit called Axis of Eve organised what they called “Operation Depose and Expose”: gaggles of women flashing red, fuschia, black and lavender drawers at TV cameras. It was the slogans that were the point, however. “Weapon of Mass Seduction”, many of them read. “My Cherry for Kerry” and “Expose Bush”. This time round BarelyPolitical.com has got in on the act, selling skimpy red boy-shorts with “OBAMA” written in big white lettering across the back.
And just this February Agent Provocateur, not generally known for its serious political leanings, designed a pair of Guantánamo Bay orange knickers, accessorised with a tiny pair of handcuffs, some fetching black ribbon, and the slogan “Fair trial my arse” curling across the rear. Vivienne Westwood (whose son runs Agent Provocateur) sent some down the catwalk at London Fashion Week. Even Gordon Brown was presented with a pair. The effectiveness of pants in the fight for justice across the world is unrecorded. But cavilling seems churlish. After all, in a healthy – or aspiring – democracy, everyone must do their bit.
In this case, that “bit” includes wearing only a little bit.
Natalia Morar, who was banned from Russia as “a danger to the safety and security of Russia,” has lost her appeal in Russian court. The court gave no reason for denying her appeal to get the ban removed. According to her lawyer Yuri Kostanov, “I have no proof but I suspect the case has a political subtext,” he told reporters. “As far as I understand it, Morar has not done anything subversive. But her activity is journalism and she published a great many political articles, including about VIPs. I cannot exclude that namely these people applied some leverage, and this may be the root cause (for the decision). I cannot rule this out.” No, really, you think?
And finally, it seems that Putin could only contain himself for so long at the NATO-Russia Council last weekend. This is despite the fact that Western diplomats pleaded that he tone down his rhetoric. But apparently Putin could only contain himself for so long. According to reports, Putin “lost his temper” during discussion about Ukraine’s possible NATO entry. One diplomat told Kommersant that at one point Putin turned to Bush and said, “You do understand, George, that Ukraine is not even a state! Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and considerable part was given to them by us!” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that Putin ever made any such statement. Nevertheless, I’m sure that after hearing this, there are many Ukrainians who can’t run into NATO’s arms fast enough.
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Nice roundup, Sean. I hadn’t heard about the political panties movements in the US, I guess I need to go back to college. Since you mentioned Morar’ and drawers in the same post, these two photos seem relevant – from her photobucket page. Apologies for lowering the level of discourse.
“In this case, that “bit” includes wearing only a little bit.”
Hey, the less the better! The whole thing is self-defeating anyway, because such message packaging produces a strong impulse to dispose of the message, as it were.
I’m all in favor of ’samostiynaya’ and ‘nezamozhnaya’, but strictly speaking Putin is right about Ukraine. He’s speaking about the past of course.
Well Lavrov said about the Ukraine thing that…
http://echo.msk.ru/programs/beseda/506017-echo/
С. ЛАВРОВ: Президент Путин и в Бухаресте, и на встрече с президентом Бушем напомнил, как формировалась нынешняя Украина в ее сегодняшних границах, …, они по-прежнему ищут модель своего государства, президентская республика,парламентская, парламентско-президентская, насколько сильны противоречия между западной частью страны и ее восточными и южными регионами. Он обовсем этом напомнил.
Сказал, что то, что делается для
искусственного, форсированного втягивания Украины в НАТО, не будет способствовать важнейшей задаче, которую мы считаем необходимым решать, помочь Украине сохранить свое единство и стать стабильным сильным государством, которое живет в мире и сотрудничестве со всеми своими соседями, которое взаимодействует и с НАТО, и с ЕС, и с кем еще угодно. Но таким образом, чтобы не создаватьрисков и угроз для кого-то из своих других соседей.
Not really a call to break up Ukraine now is it?
First hand, old-fashioned report form the “congress of democRats”
What seems to have been missed by a lot of reports covering the Nato summit is that Putin had to take the embarrassing step of crashing Nato’s dinner party in order to bring attention to his concerns.
i bet he got $hitfaced off cognac and decided to go…
Makes me feel like rhyming:
Pissy off the ‘yak,
Missing Jacques Chirac –
VVP goes
to f*** with Na-to
Naw, f*** the ‘yak,
That $hit’s from down south.
Russky Standart for the presidential mouth.
“According to reports, Putin “lost his temper” during discussion about Ukraine’s possible NATO entry. One diplomat told Kommersant that at one point Putin turned to Bush and said, “You do understand, George, that Ukraine is not even a state! Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and considerable part was given to them by us!” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that Putin ever made any such statement. Nevertheless, I’m sure that after hearing this, there are many Ukrainians who can’t run into NATO’s arms fast enough.”
First question: this was a high level closed session, so who leaked this story and why? Second question: is it true in whole or in part? I doubt the truthfulness of the phrase, Putin “lost his temper”. Third question: whilst there will be many Ukrainians who will rush into NATO’s arms, will there not also be many that are glad to hear Putin speaking bluntly about the realities of the Ukrainian state and about the strange manner in which Khrushchev “gave” the Crimea to Ukraine allegedly “after a good lunch” in 1954?
Although Russia does not belong to the alliance, and Putin had not been invited to the dinner, he showed up anyway, to everyone’s surprise. The NATO leaders politely made room for him — as it happened, Afghan President Hamid Karzai had backed out at the last minute, leaving an open seat
Oh! I didn’t know that Afganistan is a NATO member and Karzai is one of its leaders…
Thanks goes to Tim
But most funny remark came out of Bush (as usual). He assured Yuschenko that Russia couldn’t veto NATO decision about joining of Ukraina.
It seems that Bush looks at Russia as NATO member. But – as Iceland – without rights to vote
Ivanov, wasn’t there some kind of big scandal in Iceland after the war because the US refused to close its base? Something like that?
“ivanov on April 10, 2008 2:35 am But most funny remark came out of Bush (as usual). He assured Yuschenko that Russia couldn’t veto NATO decision about joining of Ukraina.
It seems that Bush looks at Russia as NATO member. But – as Iceland – without rights to vote”
****
What about the Ukrainian people? Check this out:
http://greatersurbiton.wordpress.com/2008/04/05/natos-double-disgrace/
From a “credible” (perhaps incredible) source. Among the beauties being the one portraying Turkey and Pakistan as democracies unlike Russia.
“The KPRF threatens to oppose Putin’s nomination because they haven’t been invited into any discussion about the future cabinet or Putin’s candidacy.”
“the law abolishes referendums on the federal budget, taxation, treaties and presidential terms. The Communists’ 57 members walked out of the vote. KPRF deputy Alexandr Kulikov stated that the passing the bill meant “we’re asking people to shut up.”
It looks like the KPRF is the real democratic opposition!!
Hi, just some words to say it’s a quite interesting blog. Congrats!
Regards from Portugal.
Cristina
“Ivanov, wasn’t there some kind of big scandal in Iceland after the war because the US refused to close its base? Something like that?”
Sorry, Chris, but I’m not a fan of Icelandic history. And there are always someone who use any opportunity for scandal. Doesn’t matter what it is about – they just need an excuse for shouting.
What I know for sure – Icelanders were not happy when US closed the base. Not because they are scared by Russian TU-95 in the sky but because few hundred millions USD every year – for free. Plus (now minus) hundreds of jobs (in US scale – hundreds thousands jobs).
Sorry for off top, Sean.
“It looks like the KPRF is the real democratic opposition!!”
I’m no friend of Communists but right now I would support them to some extent, because Russia desperately needs a real opposition party. Unfortunately, Russian Communists will continue to carry Bolsheviks stigma for long time to come. Nobody will trust them with real power after 70 years of usurpation.
Btw, it’s sobering to read how much opposition there was among the leading Bolsheviks to Lenin’s insane strive for takeover of power. Almost all of them at some point went on record saying that taking power by force will destroy the future of the international Communist movement. History proved them absolutely right. Time and again Lenin was thwarted and found himself overruled by the majority of leading Bolsheviks opposing military coup. Yet at the end Lenin prevailed in his maniacal obsession. Why, oh why, oh why?!
Where was there ever a Communist country that wasn’t predicated on violence?
“Almost all of them at some point went on record saying that taking power by force will destroy the future of the international Communist movement.”
You’re talking about the April Theses?
Unfortunately, Russian Communists will continue to carry Bolsheviks stigma for long time to come. Nobody will trust them with real power after 70 years of usurpation.
Um, everyone in power now was at one point a Communist.
Btw, it’s sobering to read how much opposition there was among the leading Bolsheviks to Lenin’s insane strive for takeover of power. Almost all of them at some point went on record saying that taking power by force will destroy the future of the international Communist movement.
You mean Kamenev’s and Zinoviev’s objection to taking power? That was their right to object. But they lost in the final vote. Lenin had too many supporters in the Party leadership.
The Russian Revolution was more that Lenin’s so-called “maniacal obsession”. Popular revolutions are rare historical events. What are you reading Pipes?
Well Krupskaya said they thought he (Lenin) had lost his mind.
“The Russian Revolution was more that Lenin’s so-called “maniacal obsession”. Popular revolutions are rare historical events. What are you reading Pipes?”
If you are talking about the real February Revolution, I agree absolutely. Incidentally, Lenin had nothing to do with it. October putsch, otoh, was mostly all Lenin’s handiwork.
Yes, I have read Pipes and found it quite good. Apparently, it was not just Zinoviev and Kamenev, but also Bukharin and Rykov, and Nogin, and many others (except Stalin) who opposed the power grab. Their reasons were simple and perfectly logical and History has showed they were right. It was so simple, even a regular Communist could see it!
Again and again Lenin found himself in minority among the Bolshevik faction, his course of action overruled, his article censored in party’s papers; again and again he had to work behind the scenes to build a majority coalition around himself. Again and again he had to try to push through that ‘final’ resolution…
“It was so simple, even a regular Communist could see it!”
Leninism was a very heretical form of Marxism at the time. Pretty much all the mainstream Marxists at the time either condemned it or expressed reservations.
True.
“Um, everyone in power now was at one point a Communist.“Also true. So the choice in Russia is between reformed and non-reformed Communists.
In somewhat related news, Italian Communists failed to win a single seat in both Houses, for the first time since WWII. By all accounts, Italian Communist party used to be an influential opposition player in Italian politics, actually spearheaded useful reforms and really helped working people. The fact that it’s influence is waning drastically might be pointing to the final demise of the Communist movement.
The fact that it’s influence is waning drastically might be pointing to the final demise of the Communist movement.
I guess if you’re one of the few who still think such a movement still exists.
As much as I vehemently oppose Communism in any incarnation, when dealing with the post-Soviet space, it is not enough to take labels and names at face value. The Communist Party platform in Moldova differed from the opposition on very few issues, mainly NATO membership (and language). There was very little “communist” there. In the same way, I doubt that real Communists would be too worried about the referendum.
“I guess if you’re one of the few who still think such a movement still exists.”
If I see Bob Avakian in the Hollow Earth, I will say hi.
You know I don’t even think Avakian exists. I bet he dropped dead on Telegraph and now there are Avakian clones ravaging the “Movement.” I’ve had this theory for a while, but was convinced when I saw a flyer at UCLA for an event for his book and he wasn’t even going to be there. The guy lives in Berkeley for chrissake. You mean he couldn’t get a flight on Southwest for $90.
Correction. I just read on Wiki that Avakian’s whereabouts “are kept secret.” The plot thickens . . .
What a nut.
“I guess if you’re one of the few who still think such a movement still exists.”
Yeah, and nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition, either.