|
The main achievement of President Putin can be summed up as
his foreign policy which is aimed at a rapprochement with the
West. The President chose to follow this policy despite resistance
from the political elite and his entourage. The direction of current
foreign policy could have strategic prospects and become a prologue
to Russia's transformation into a European state in the broadest
sense of the word - from observation of human rights to the level
of the population's welfare.
However, the Federal Council Bureau of YABLOKO would like to
stress again: a serious move towards Europe is only possible,
provided that Russia's steps in foreign policy are accompanied
by profound changes in domestic policy. Such changes have not
been undertaken, apart from some steps in the economy. Problems
that have accumulated over the past ten years have still not been
resolved, but have been postponed and are consequently aggravating.
The Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO states: the construction
of a manageable democracy under cover of pseudo-democratic institutions
and procedures that have been transformed into pure formalities
does not and cannot resolve any of these problems. This also refers
to the deplorable state of our judicial system which still implements
orders from the top. We don't have any division of power - all
the power is accumulated in the Kremlin. The government is a purely
technical institution: it represents mainly the interests of the
monopolies and big business connected with the authorities. The
failure of federative reform in building a "vertical of power"
is obvious: the Federation Council has been totally disabled and
representatives of the President in the federal districts can
hardly be called significant political figures in some regions.
The use of dirty technologies, involving use of courts, the public
prosecutor's offices and law-enforcement agencies, have become
common practice at regional elections. Governors and presidents
[of republics] loyal to the Kremlin are allowed not only to continue
with arbitrary rule, but even be elected for a third term.
People are dying in Chechnya every day - both Russian soldiers
and civilians and legal arbitrary rule is also being exercised
there on a daily basis.
However, after two years in office Vladimir Putin has retained
the support of 60% of the citizens. This is a clear political
achievement that allows him to do everything necessary for the
country.
Clearly the President's foreign policy leads Russia forwards;
whereas Russia's corrupt bureaucracy leads it backwards. This
cannot last long. In the 21st century Russia's position and probably
even its existence will depend on which side wins.
| 