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pravda.ru, July 15, 2003

Anti-Presidential Plot Developing in Russia

By Alexey Bausin

Experts think that one of the influential groups is making attempts to stop liberal modernization based on private business

On July 10, political scientists met for an extraordinary session of the Open Forum Club. They reached the conclusion that the scandal connected with discrediting Yukos was targeted against President Vladimir Putin, and not the Russian oligarchs. President of the Institute for Strategic Estimates and Analysis Alexander Konovalov says that "a plot against the president" arose not without reason. First of all, Vladimir Putin openly said he wouldn't run for the presidential post for a third term. Second, it is perfectly obvious now that he wouldn't side with any of the parties. The main objective of the "plotters" is to make the president opt for one side. Alexander Konovalov supposes that only the president can put an end to the disorder in the country.

President of the Expertise Foundation Mark Urnov agrees that it is a severe blow aimed at the president. The expert thinks that one of the influential groups is trying to stop liberal modernization based on private business; in exchange it wants to offer a new model supposing that the role of government will be stronger. It is not accidental, he adds, that the Yukos-related scandal is developing at this very time. As was expected, Russia was to be flooded with foreign investments soon which would have rendered realization of this plot problematic. It is not accidental that particular attention was focused on Yukos. It is one of the first Russian companies to start working in accordance with the international standards.

Anatoly Golov, Director of the Social Policy Institute thinks the Yukos-related scandal is an obvious political case. The expert says the closure of the TVS television; the arrest of werewolf police officers and unexpected claims raised against the largest Russian company were initiated to demonstrate who is master. Evgeny Satanosvky, President of the Russian Jewish Congress doesn't think the situation is that dramatic. His opinion is that the unusual activity of the General Prosecutor's Office is quite typical of the relations between business
structures and the authorities in Russia.

Yabloko chairman Grigory Yavlinsky thinks such a connection between the authorities and business structures is rather strange in Russia. He even calls them Siamese twins who have started fighting each other. The Yabloko leader is sure that we will continue witnessing similar conflicts. He adds that only an independent parliament, judicial system and fair elections can help prevent such conflicts in future.

Independent deputy Vladimir Ryzhkov thinks Russia is now at a crossroads. On the one hand, we are offered a development model suggesting nationalization and isolation from the outside world. On the other hand, Russia still has a chance to become integrated in the international economy. Society is keeping quiet. This means that the President has the final word.

 

See also:

YUKOS Case

pravda.ru, July 15, 2003

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