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Russian politics for an outsider looks like a panopticum, where
you can see all types of monsters. There are monsters that can
devour a whole economic sector in an instant, people who like
weather-vanes start rotating speedily at the smallest breeze from
the Kremlin, millionaires with Versace ties continuously struggling
to raise the living standards of ordinary Russian citizens…
Grigory Yavlinsky is surprising here, as he remains a normal
person in this crazy crowd. He somehow manages to stay different
in such a caustic and acid milieu. He is a wonder in politics,
as he preserves the features that are most unbecoming in such
a world: the ability to clearly state what he thinks, not to betray
himself or the people who vote for him. On the political scene
he represents the people who still believe that politics do not
necessarily equate to meanness.
For the past ten years in Russia's history Yavlinsky has always
represented an alternative. At every moment, on every fork of
the road he had the intelligence and courage to say and prove
that there is another way out. That it is possible to rebuild
the economy in a different way - so that millions of able-bodied
people are not transformed into indigents. That the Chechen problem
can be resolved in a different way - so that you don't have to
destroy your own towns. That it is possible to rebuild Russia
without blood, lies and robbery - in a different way.
This intelligent man demonstrates to us the experience of independence.
It is possible to be different. It is possible not to let cynicism
tear you apart. It is possible to engage in your favourite business
and succeed.
Congratulations, Grigory Alexeevich!
See also:
Press Release. April
10, 2002. President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin congratulates
Chairman of the Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO, head of the
YABLOKO faction in the State Duma Grigory Yavlinsky on his 50th
birthday.
Komsomolskaya Pravda. Everything
Is Ahead for Yavlinsky. April 10, 2002.
Oksana Alexeeva. Kommersant
Daily, April 10, 2002. Today, on April 10, the leader of the YABLOKO
faction in the State Duma Grigory Yavlinsky has turned 50.
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