Single candidates from the regional branches of the “Union of Right-Wing Forces” (SPS) and the public political movement, Yabloko balloting in the 31st and 44th electoral districts to the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg and in the 209th electoral distract to the State Duma of the RF hope that the democratic forces will win these elections. This statement was made at a joint press conference of the candidates in St. Petersburg on September 25, 2000.

Alexander Dubrovsky, ecologist, (Yabloko) who participated in the press conference made an official declaration that he recalls his candidacy in

favour of the candidate to the deputies of the Legislative Assembly of the northern capital Olga Kurnosova (SPS) in the 44th electoral district.

According to Dubrovsky, his decision was “first of all governed by moral

principles, where common interests prevail over personal ambitions.”

The single candidate to the State Duma in the 109th electoral district from Yabloko and the SPS Anatoli Golov in turn expressed his conviction on the firmness of the union and the victory of the democratic parties in St. Petersburg. However, he believes that the electorate must demonstrate its “political activity” and come on the 15 October to the polling-booths and make the “right choice”.

Golov said that his main rival at the elections to the State Duma would the candidate from the CPRF rector of the Military Mechanical Institute (“Voyenmekh”) Yuri Savelyev. He also said that the topics “of the accident with the nuclear submarine “Kursk” and the rebirth of Russia through a revival of its military potential that are actively exploited by left-wing forces, are positively influencing the rating of Yu. Savelyev.”

According to the participants of the press conference, a possible refusal of the leader of the St. Petersburg organisation of the “Democratic Russia”

party, Ruslan Lynkov, to recall his candidacy despite the decision of the SPS and Yabloko, may adversely affect the distribution of the electorates in this district.

The participants in the coalition think that this may result in a dispersal of the democratic vote and the victory of a communist candidate in the electoral district, where Galina Starovoitova won the elections to the State Duma.

Based on Interfax reports. See also:

Yabloko and the SPS support single candidate Anatoli Golov for by-elections to the State Duma in St. Petersburg

The Coalition of the SPS and Yabloko considers participation in the municipal and parliamentary elections to be a priority

It is unlikely that the issue of restoring the rights of the Russian delegation will be raised at the present session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Such opinion was expressed by one of the leaders of the Yabloko movement Sergei Ivanenko in an interview in Strasbourg, where a session of PACE was scheduled to open on September 25.

“I think that the conflict between PACE and the Russian delegation has somewhat levelled out and switched from an acute form to a chronic one, said Ivanenko. – In my opinion, the issue of restoring the rights of the Russian delegation is purely technical and both sides are interested in resolving the problem, preserving face”.

According to Ivanenko, “the real decisions will be adopted in January,when PACE will have to confirm the proxies of the majority of its delegations pursuant to its regulations”.

“Today, explained Ivanenko, there is no time for this, as such a decision may only be initiated by the speaker on the situation in Chechnya, Lord Judd, who, as I know, has not yet prepared his report and is still thinking about the wording”.

At the same time Ivanenko expressed his view that “the issue of proxies for our delegation is exaggerated in Russia”. “It is hurtful, but not the main issue,” added Ivanenko.

According to Ivanenko, the representatives of Yabloko are participating in the present session of PACE as fully-fledged members of the faction of liberal democrats. " PACE is built on a party, rather than nationality principle, and we work in this faction,” said Ivanenko.

He also said that Yabloko representatives had submitted at the summer session of PACE a draft resolution on the freedom of the mass media in Russia. “On Wednesday it will be considered at the meeting of the Committee for Culture. We hope, that this issue, including a corresponding report will be included in the agenda of the January session of PACE,” said Sergei Ivanenko.

He also stressed that the Russian delegates in PACE “should strive to obtain a better understanding of European problems, rather than simply come here with the sole task of convincing everyone that everything is fine in Chechnya. And the only means to find a solution to a problem is provided by contacts, negotiations and definite work. No one is interested in confrontation,” added Ivanenko.

He also expressed his opinion that the tragedy with the “Kursk” submarine “demonstrated who is our friend and who is our enemy.” “The British and Norwegian rescue teams honestly and dynamically tried to help, and the common people, first and foremost in Europe, honestly shared their condolences with us – all this indicates where we should look for friends and not seek enemies there,” added Ivanenko.

Based on Interfax reports.

See also:

Delegates of Yabloko faction to participate in the PACE session