Kasparov making wrong moves in Russian political game
Ian Brockwell
April 14, 2007
Former world chess champion, Gary Kasparov, was detained by police today following a demonstration in Moscow against the Kremlin.
The “Dissenters’ March”, as they are called, was not authorized by the authorities, but the Kremlin deny this decision was made for political reasons.
Traveling in the center of Moscow is difficult at the best of times, and a march of this size would have disrupted movement considerably. As Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov pointed out, the authorities were also concerned with public order. Not everyone shares Kasparov’s views that changes in the political system are necessary, and a physical clash of opinions was always a possibility.
However, in saying that, the decision to ban the march was probably politically motivated, but with good reasons. Whilst some may criticize the Kremlin, we should also question the motives of people like Gary Kasparov, the former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov (nicknamed "Misha Two Percent." for allegedly demanding a two percent kickback for authorizing government backed loans to private enterprises), and the exiled oligarch Boris Berezovsky.
Although it’s true to say that the Kremlin could do with a little more political opposition (if only to keep them on their toes), there are no candidates (at the moment) in the same league as President Putin. And this latest move by Kasparov and his team seems more like an attempt to restore the oligarch’s to power, so they can bleed the country dry again, than a desire to create political equality.
Just recently, Boris Berezovsky made a statement to The Guardian that he was plotting a coup in Russia. Berezovsky has been charged with fraud and money laundering by Russia, but escaped prosecution after fleeing to the UK where he was given political asylum.
Although the British foreign secretary has condemned Berezovsky’s statement, there does not seem to be any desire for the UK to grant Russia’s latest request for his extradition.
One must wonder why the British government continue to give shelter to Berezovsky, unless they feel that maybe he does have some real chance of obtaining a “regime change”, and creating a government that will be less of a future risk to the plans of people like Bush and Blair?
As we have already seen, the Kremlin have no time for oligarch’s with political ambitions to run Russia in a way that increases their personal fortunes, as former Yukos chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky has discovered to his cost.
It is easy for some to be critical of Putin’s methods, but he does seem to have a genuine love for his country and a desire to see it become stronger and more successful. Russian’s have a lot of pride in their country too, and it is this fact, more than the much talked about control, that provides Putin with the popularity and support he enjoys.
Perhaps other countries should follow Russia’s example in trying to reduce corruption, and controlling individuals who seek to become rich at the public and country’s expense.
The “Dissenters’ March”, as they are called, was not authorized by the authorities, but the Kremlin deny this decision was made for political reasons.
Traveling in the center of Moscow is difficult at the best of times, and a march of this size would have disrupted movement considerably. As Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov pointed out, the authorities were also concerned with public order. Not everyone shares Kasparov’s views that changes in the political system are necessary, and a physical clash of opinions was always a possibility.
However, in saying that, the decision to ban the march was probably politically motivated, but with good reasons. Whilst some may criticize the Kremlin, we should also question the motives of people like Gary Kasparov, the former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov (nicknamed "Misha Two Percent." for allegedly demanding a two percent kickback for authorizing government backed loans to private enterprises), and the exiled oligarch Boris Berezovsky.
Although it’s true to say that the Kremlin could do with a little more political opposition (if only to keep them on their toes), there are no candidates (at the moment) in the same league as President Putin. And this latest move by Kasparov and his team seems more like an attempt to restore the oligarch’s to power, so they can bleed the country dry again, than a desire to create political equality.
Just recently, Boris Berezovsky made a statement to The Guardian that he was plotting a coup in Russia. Berezovsky has been charged with fraud and money laundering by Russia, but escaped prosecution after fleeing to the UK where he was given political asylum.
Although the British foreign secretary has condemned Berezovsky’s statement, there does not seem to be any desire for the UK to grant Russia’s latest request for his extradition.
One must wonder why the British government continue to give shelter to Berezovsky, unless they feel that maybe he does have some real chance of obtaining a “regime change”, and creating a government that will be less of a future risk to the plans of people like Bush and Blair?
As we have already seen, the Kremlin have no time for oligarch’s with political ambitions to run Russia in a way that increases their personal fortunes, as former Yukos chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky has discovered to his cost.
It is easy for some to be critical of Putin’s methods, but he does seem to have a genuine love for his country and a desire to see it become stronger and more successful. Russian’s have a lot of pride in their country too, and it is this fact, more than the much talked about control, that provides Putin with the popularity and support he enjoys.
Perhaps other countries should follow Russia’s example in trying to reduce corruption, and controlling individuals who seek to become rich at the public and country’s expense.
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