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 “The
process of creating a democratic union has become an urgent
need”, said Grigory Yavlinsky at a meeting of the Central
Council of the Yabloko association on April 22, 2000. “We
are persistent people: if we take up a task, we endeavour
to accomplish it, especially now, when there is no clarity
in the policies of the authorities.”
The Central Council of Yabloko supported the initiative
of creating a broad democratic coalition and also approved
the decision of the Yabloko faction in the State Duma to
jointly create with the SPS faction a co-ordination council
on legislation.
Deputy Head of the Yabloko faction Sergei Ivanenko will
develop jointly with representative of the SPS Viktor Pokhmelkin
the provisions for the work of such a body that will issue
decisions which will be binding on both the factions. The
Central Council considers the work to create a broad joint
democratic coalition with a permanent democratic conference,
very important.
Yavlinsky believes that it could comprise five representatives
from each democratic party or movement. It is likely that
the heads of these movements will take turns to chair the
conference. “We don’t claim our leadership here", stressed
Yavlinsky, "we participate on equal grounds and will look
for forms of interaction together.” The permanent conference
will assess the current situation in the country, co-ordinate
positions on key economic and political issues, set forth
joint initiatives and programmes. “Decisions must be adopted
on the basis of a consensus,” stressed Yavlinsky.
Special attention must be paid to the creation of a democratic
coalition in the regions. Assessing the pre-election situation
in St Petersburg, Yavlinsky recalled that Yabloko had its
own candidate for the post of Governor.
The Central Council supports the candidacy of Igor Artemyev.
At the same time, the leadership of Yabloko welcomes steps
to decide on a single democratic candidate at the elections
in St Petersburg. Grigory Yavlinsky also said that further
development of the movement and its transformation into
a party was an important task for Yabloko. This should include:
creation of a responsible system of management, reasonable
distribution of functions, search for new leaders, unions
and coalitions at a local level, the creation of new commissions
and research centres developing programmes that are strategically
important for the country. “We have been working for ten
years, and it is time for us to achieve a new standard of
quality,” stressed Yavlinsky.
Preparation for the 8th Congress of Yabloko, that is scheduled
for the beginning of June 2000, will be an important part
of the meeting of the Central Council.
The Central Council plans to finish its work on April
23, 2000.
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