[main page][map of the server][news of the server][forums][guestbook][publications][hot issues]
Marianna Maximovskaya

Interview with Grigory Yavlinsky

“Segodnya” programme, TV-6, June 26, 2001

Marianna Maximovskaya: Today we have invited the leader of the Yabloko faction in the State Duma Grigory Yavlinsky. This is a live broadcast.

Good evening, Grigory Alexeevich. In a little while I shall ask you about the new initiative of the deputies and possible redistribution of posts [in the Duma]. But first let me raise another issue. The Yabloko faction announced that it had begun preparations for a referendum on the imports of spent nuclear fuel into Russia. Do you seriously believe that such a referendum might happen?

Yavlinsky: Yes, our preparations are very serious. It looks as if it is the only way left open to us to oppose the import of nuclear waste into Russia. The Federation Council may consider this law and return it to the State Duma and then important amendments could be introduced. There is still a chance that the President will not sign this law. And then we would be able to rectify the situation. But if nothing happens, we firmly intend to hold a referendum.

Maximovskaya: Grigory Alexeevich, today we observed in our reporting from Vladivostok how Prime Minister is personally engaged in the preparations of the Maritime Territory for the heating season. In Yakutiya the Head of the Ministry of Extraordinary Situations personally controls the process of restoring the city back to normal after the flood. In your opinion, is it normal for top state officials to be personally involved in such issues?

Yavlinsky: This is a very good question: if top officials in our country resolve such problems, if during the frosts in the Maritime Territory radiators and the welders to assemble them are brought there by planes, then nuclear waste imports to our country, given the level of organisation of life and business, from all over the world would simply be a crime.

Maximovskaya: Another question about to-day. We have already told viewers about the idea proposed by some Duma deputies on the need to redistribute the leading posts in the Duma. What do you think, can this attempt be successful and who would be affected first?

Yavlinsky: I don’t treat this seriously. This is mere plotting used by some deputies to switch from post to post. The things that we have already discussed here are much more serious. For example, we sent an address to all the members of the Federation Council, so that the Federation Council would discuss this law. We addressed all the legislative assemblies and heads of all the federation subjects, calling on them to compel their representatives in the Federation Council to reject this law. The idea of redistributing posts in the Duma has been raised to distract public attention from this issue. This is how I see the sense of all these procedures.

Maximovskaya: Grigory Alexeevich, thank you for the interview.

See also:

Nuclear waste bill section of the web-site

“Segodnya” programme, TV-6, June 26, 2001

[main page][map of the server][news of the server][forums][guestbook][publications][hot issues]

english@yabloko.ru