06
Opinion
RUSSIA BEYOND THE HEADLINES WWW.RBTH.RG.RU
BOOKMARKS www.mnweekly.ru Columnists’ hot debates in
The Moscow News Weekly
SECTION SPONSORED BY ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA, RUSSIA
www.wciom.com Results of the major public opinion polls
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH THURSDAY_NOVEMBER 15_2007 in Russia
Letters to the Editor
BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION:
A nation of jokers
invitation to suggest topics for
Having just returned from future supplements I would
Russia, we can fully endorse like to put forward the idea
Michele Berdy’s claim that of an article on the contem-
NATIONAL DISASTER
this is a nation of jokers. porary art scene in Russia.
During our Viking cruise of My son is a professional artist
their waterways (between St and I have been involved in
Petersburg and Moscow), the contemporary art apprecia- OR MIDWIFE OF
behind-the-scenes laughter tion for many years. DRAWING BY DMITRY DIVIN
and giggling from the ship’s He and I meet frequently at
crew, the joke-telling and Tate Modern in London look-
good humour of our guides ing at modern art from differ-
HISTORY?
and their real concern that all ent countries.
the members of our Saga It would be very interesting to
group were enjoying them- read something about what is
selves was a real tonic, adding going on in contemporary art
BORIS KAIMAKOV
considerably to the success of in Russia. MOSCOW
our time in their country. Two years ago I visited the
JOHN AND JEAN GOULDING
Russian Pavilion at the Bien- With the 90th anniversary of the Bolshe-
HERTFORDSHIRE, UK
nale in Venice and I liked very vik Revolution just days ago, many in
much what I saw. Russia look back on this major upheaval
Incidentally, at Somerset in the country’s history, trying to reas-
Modern art wanted House in London there are sess its controversial legacy.
As I lived through the years always items on display on Some view it as a man-made disaster that
of the Great Patriotic War, I loan from the Hermitage in claimed millions of innocent lives and
appreciated very much the St Petersburg. These exhibi- ended in a dictatorship. Others consider
tribute to those brave sailors tions are changed at frequent it to be a positive undertaking, an attempt
who gave their lives in the intervals. to create a state driven by social justice.
Arctic convoys.
GEOFFREY CREBER
The Levada Centre, one of Russia’s lead-
On the matter, though, of your EMAIL: GFCREBER@AOL.COM ing pollsters, has recently conducted a
survey to find out more about how this
historic event is perceived by the gener-
al public.
Some 31pc of those interviewed credited
Live Journal
the Bolshevik Revolution with spear-
heading Russia’s economic and social
progress. As many as 26pc of the respon-
Bloggers on Revolution Day demonstration
dents said it had helped Russia turn over
a new leaf. About 16pc argued that it had
BACK IN THE USSR, AS PAUL MCCARTNEY ONCE
been a major impediment to the nation’s tary truck to speak about his vision for a There has been a lot of debate lately over follow-up, the birth of the Russian repub-
SANG, THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE OCTOBER REVO-
development, while 15pc described it as Communist revolution. And Soviet lead- the extrajudicial character of the re- lic would have been much less painful.
LUTION WAS ONE OF TWO DAYS EACH YEAR WHEN
a national disaster. Around 12pc said er Boris Yeltsin, speaking to his audience gime change initiated by the Bolshe- The difference between these two events
PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE RE-
“don’t know”. from the top of a tank, set forth guide- viks, with some analysts arguing that could be illustrated using a medical anal-
GIME WERE ORGANISED IN SOVIET CITIES. RUSSIAN
The Levada Centre’s survey suggests lines for a new, democratic Russia fol- the events in October should be catego- ogy. The former treated Russia as a com-
BLOGGERS ON LIVEJOURNAL.RU THIS MONTH TOOK
that the majority of Russians regard the lowing the August 1991 putsch. Such rised as a coup. But I believe the term petent obstetrician, whereas the latter
A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE, RECALLING THE DAYS
Bolshevik Revolution as a progressive historical parallels reveal a single pat- “revolution” is more appropriate, if behaved more like a backstreet midwife,
OF MARCHING TO MARK THE REVOLUTION.
and positive event. Which is, perhaps, tern, making it easier for us to make only because its masterminds had a performing a Cesarean section without
one of the reasons why the mummified sense of our past. thought-out plan of action, as well as a proper instruments or skills.
With the Russian blogoshere coming winter in the air. My body of Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin clear vision for the country’s post-revo- A lot of historical injustices can be
dominated by people under attitude was actually quite still lies in state in the Mausoleum in Red lutionary future. blamed on the Bolsheviks, but their
40, memories reflect child- pagan.” Square. The post-Communist ruling The October ‘coup’ More often than not, people staging re- greatest crime was to slay all those who
hood reminiscenses of the In smaller cities with their elite are in no hurry to rebury the iconic
was preceded by
gime change have no respect for the law, stood in the way.
Soviet period. With cities citizens have less to look for- revolutionary as they fear such a step and many of them could even be classi- The Russian poet Alexander Blok be-
grinding to a halt it is not ward to these events had will provoke a public outcry.
a peaceful revolution
fied as criminals. But in politics, every- lieved there was a profound mystical
surprising that many viewed more resonance, with the Monuments to Soviet dictator Joseph
in February. It is probably
thing depends on the perspective. meaning behind the Bolshevik revolu-
the marching and ceremony chance of spotting faces in Stalin were knocked off their pedestals true that if not for the Governed by the winner-takes-all prin- tion. In his poem “The Twelve”, the first
as simply a good holiday and the crowd greater and more overnight in 1956, following Nikita
bloody follow-up, the birth
ciple, those who seize power will demo- poetic attempt to make sense of the event,
the chance to avoid school. of a thrill. Dyachenochka Khrushchev’s public condemnation of nise leaders they have just deposed. So if he presented it as an act initiated by the
As Romant73 said, “back agrees: “We lived in the mili- his predecessor’s political repressions.
of the Russian republic
the 1991 putsch to oust Mikhail Gor- 12 disciples of Jesus.
then I did not think about the tary town, so the parade was Effigies of Lenin, by contrast, still re-
would have been much
bachev had been a success, the hardlin- Russia plunged into revolutionary vio-
ideology of this holiday, it obligatory. I remember that main in place in many cities and towns less painful ers who orchestrated that coup would lence for the sake of a blissful future. And
was just a good holiday, a from the early morning there across the country. And the faithful con- have surely proclaimed themselves sav- it went to Calvary, hoping its martyrdom
stopover in the preparation was a definite feeling of cel- tinue to pay homage and lay flowers in iours of the nation while vilifying Yelt- would help the Communist utopia ma-
for New Year.” Scud_c ebration – and the hope to see an expression of an almost religious piety Both Lenin and Yeltsin started out their sin as a criminal. terialise.
agrees: “I liked walking with my Dad during the parade.” for their Communist idol. political careers from a low base, and it But whatever tricks politicians may use In hindsight, it looks like the October
adults – and subconsciously I With infant memories often Students of Lenin’s works will come was their populist rhetoric, voiced at the to conceal the true nature of things, their Revolution was a curse rather than a
felt that I belonged to some- dominated by sound as well across a lot of discrepancies and incon- right time and in the right place, that creed and motives become apparent blessing to the Russian nation. Ninety
thing big, even huge, and as vision natka_kawaii fo- sistencies in his writings, as well as ex- quickly propelled them to prominence. after a short while. Lenin was trying to years of solitude…
-
kind.” cuses on the cheering in the amples of downright cynicism, utter Lenin’s slogan “land to peasants” struck build in Russia a Communist utopia he
Users like aquarius_women crowds, “and when the slo- contempt for human life, and what we a chord with Russia’s predominantly ardently believed in. His successor Sta- Boris Kaimakov is RIA Novosti political
saw them as an obligation. “I gans were read out every- would now recognise as PR tricks. But rural populace, bringing him an over- lin had no Communism-related illusions commentator
never thought of these dem- body would answer in a big the aggressive style of his polemics and whelming victory over hearts and when he came to power, but he sought to
onstrations as a holiday. The and loud ‘hooray!’ It’s too his analytical reasoning possess some minds. create a powerful autocratic state
Georgi M Derluguian, a Russian professor
best thing about them was bad it doesn’t happen that galvanizing power that is hard to resist. Yeltsin called for democracy at a mo- through industrialisation and the collec-
of sociology at Northwestern University
when they ended. And I don’t way any more.” Social upheavals often bring forth lead- ment when the nation was ready to move tivisation of farms.
in Chicago, gives his view of the causes
remember anyone toasting ers with a special talent for rallying the away from totalitarianism to a freer so- The October “coup” was preceded by a
and consequences
the revolution.” THE RUSSIAN BLOGOSPHERE masses behind them. Lenin energised ciety, and only lacked a leader to show peaceful revolution in February. It is
of the October Revolution on
Vetka_twi saw the events as
HAS ALMOST TRIPLED IN
crowds in 1917 as he jumped on a mili- the way. probably true that if not for the bloody
www.rbth.rg.ru
pre-Christian: “The May and
12 MONTHS. THESE SUMMARIES
HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM
November demonstrations
RECENT POSTS ON THE SPECIAL
divided the year in halves. COMMUNITY SET UP FOR THIS
The November one was right
NEWSPAPER,
before the winter and often
HTTP://COMMUNITY.LIVEJOURNAL.
COM/
there was snow falling and
OPINION_RU AND COMPILED
the general feeling of the up- BY MARINA PUSTILNIK. RUSSIA’S PATH IN THE
Arabia, Algeria, Qatar and Iran. But the
talk of setting up a gas cartel similar to
the Organisation of Petroleum Export-
ing Countries (OPEC) is no more than
political speculation. It is actually im-
practicable since the gas market func-
tions in a manner different from that of
the oil market.
Poll results
MIDDLE EAST
Fourth, Russian companies’ commercial
interests in the Middle East are a com-
plex and somewhat unpleasant issue.
Russia looks back at Stalin’s tyranny
FYODOR LUKYANOV
Russian business community sees the
MOSCOW modern world as a huge marketplace,
THIS IS THE YEAR OF TWO BLEAK ANNIVERSARIES: 90 YEARS SINCE THE
with tough competition in all spheres.
REVOLUTION AND 70 SINCE THE PEAK OF THE GREAT TERROR. THE ALL-
The broader Middle East is likely to re- Commercial interests of major busi-
RUSSIA PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH CENTRE (VTSIOM) RECENTLY CON-
main in the spotlight for the next few nesses are closely linked to the foreign
DUCTED A SURVEY TO SEE HOW CONTEMPORARY RUSSIANS HAVE COME
decades. Does Russia have a clear-cut policies of many countries. Therefore,
TO REMEMBER 1937.
policy there? What are its goals, given Moscow tends to see pressure put on
that it has become much more active in countries and companies interacting
WHAT DO RUSSIANS THINK TODAY ABOUT 1937?
the region lately? with a nation such as Iran as bad com-
Moscow’s somewhat erratic policy in petition. In the situation around the nu-
the Middle East is determined by sev- clear power plant in Bushehr, Russia is
eral factors. trying hard to balance its international
First, Russia wants to regain its status commitments with its commercial in-
as a superpower involved in all major terests in the Iranian market. Inciden-
international issues. For example, Mos- tally, Germany, which is Tehran’s larg-
cow has always been a co-sponsor of the est trade partner, is obviously trying to
Middle East peace process, even if only do the same.
formally during its geopolitical decline Though Moscow can hardly be blamed
of the 1990s. Today Russia is deter- for going ahead with the Bushehr con-
mined to make a real contribution to the tract, the deliveries of Russian conven-
process, partly to sustain its global pres-
DRAWING BY DMITRY DIVIN
tional weapons to Iran and Syria is a
tige, and partly because the solutions much more controversial issue. On the
proposed by the others involved in the military operation against Iran could A defeat of the coalition forces in Af- one hand, the Russian defense industry
peace process are not working and the destabilise the whole of the Caspian re- ghanistan would also be dangerous for is guided by the principle that a prod-
situation is steadily deteriorating. gion, primarily Azerbaijan, especially Russia, because retaliation by the Tal- uct should be sold in the market where
Moscow believes it could be a helpful considering that about 20 million eth- iban would certainly hit Central Asia. there is a demand for it. And, formally,
mediator with so-called “rogue” na- nic Azerbaijani live in Iran. Uncon- Russia will have to make good on its Russia is not violating any ban. But on
tions. The Kremlin thinks “mainstream- trolled developments in the region could commitment under the Collective Se- the other hand, such a mercantile ap-
ing” is a much more productive policy at the very least lead to an influx of ref- curity Treaty Organisation (CSTO) to proach harms Russia’s prestige as a su-
than pressuring and confronting, even ugees. A more unfavorable scenario provide guarantees to Central Asian perpower, especially when it transpires
when it comes to “difficult” partners would be a restoration of the Azerbai- states in the event of an external threat. that Russian-made arms end up in hos-
SOURCE: WWW.WCIOM.RU
such as Hamas or Iranian President jani reunion concept. Third, energy will certainly remain Rus- tile zones, as was the case with Hezbol-
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. If the United States were to prove un- sia’s political priority. This is the reason lah.
-
Fewer than half of Russians millions, and 4pc at tens of Second, it wants to prevent the possible able to prevent Iraq’s disintegration, the why Moscow shows so much interest in
(47pc) think 1937 was a time thousands. On the other negative effects of degradation in the consequences and repercussions for ad- countries which play important roles in Fyodor Lukyanov is editor of Russia in
of mass persecution. One hand, 2pc approve of the re- broader Middle East. For example, a jacent areas are impossible to predict. the global energy market, such as Saudi Global Affairs
fifth (15pc of the young, 29pc prisals and a further 16pc
of those over 60) had victims consider them necessary,
in their families. Meanwhile, though it affected many in-
36pc estimate the human toll nocent people. One fifth
of the terror at several mil- (19pc) see it as “Stalin’s great
RUSSIA: BEYOND THE HEADLINES THIS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WAS PREPARED BY ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT AND DID NOT INVOLVE THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
lion, 20pc at several hundred error”, another 19pc as a
NEWS STAFF. INTERNET ADDRESS WWW.RBTH.RG.RU E-MAIL RBTH@RG.RU TEL. +7 (495) 775 3114 FAX +7 (495) 257 5382 ADDRESS 24 PRAVDY STR., MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 125 993.
EVGENY ABOV EDITOR & PUBLISHER MIKHAIL BELYAT MANAGING EDITOR KONSTANTIN FETS ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR NICOLAI KOROLEV PHOTO EDITOR IGOR ISAKOV TECHONOLOGY DIRECTOR JULIA GOLIKOVA ADVERTISING & PR MANAGER
thousand, 13pc at tens of premeditated crime.
MILLA DOMOGATSKAYA CHIEF LAYOUT EDITORS IRINA PAVLOVA LAYOUT EDITORS. E-PAPER VERSION OF THIS SUPPLEMENT IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.RBTH.RG.RU/ E-PAPER. TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SUPPLEMENT CONTACT JULIA GOLIKOVA
GOLIKOVA@RG.RU OR MATTHEW MARGETTS ON MATTHEW.MARGETTS@TELEGRAPH.CO.UK
© COPYRIGHT 2007, ZAO ‘ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA’. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALEXANDER GORBENKO GENERAL DIRECTOR VLADISLAV FRONIN CHIEF EDITOR. ANY COPYING, REDISTRIBUTION OR RETRANSMISSION OF ANY OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS
PUBLICATION, OTHER THAN FOR PERSONAL USE, WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED. TO OBTAIN PERMISSION TO REPRINT OR COPY AN ARTICLE OR PHOTO, PLEASE PHONE
+7 (495) 775 3114, OR E-MAIL RESALE@RG.RU WITH YOUR REQUEST. LETTERS FROM READERS, GUEST COLUMNS OR CARTOONS LABELED ‘OPINION’, ‘POINT OF VIEW’, ‘COMMENT’ ARE SELECTED TO REPRESENT A BROAD RANGE OF VIEWS AND THE
We welcome letters to the editor
OPINION OF THE AUTHOR OR ARTIST. LETTERS SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION ARE PREFERRED IN WRITING. E-MAIL TO EDITOR.UK@RG.RU OR FAX TO +44 (870) 928 9823. RBTH ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS AND PHOTOS.
MEDIA PARTNERS DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
editor.uk@rg.ru

RUSSIA BEYOND THE HEADLINES HOPES TO SERVE ITS READERS AS VALUABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8