06
Opinion
RUSSIA BEYOND THE HEADLINES
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www.rbth.rg.ru A selection of letters to editor
Questions to Readers:
IGOR ZEVELEV
MIKHAIL TROITSKIY
Please reply to editor.usa@rg.ru By the end of President George Bush’s
RUSSIA AND CHINA
second term, a stark paradox arose in
Politics Business
American foreign policy. The govern-
Do you believe that Russia’s How attractive do you find the ment’s relations with communist China
foreign policies pose a threat to business environment in Rus- improved, while tensions with Russia
THROUGH
you or your family? sia? built up, despite the latter having a far
more open and pluralistic political sys-
Holidays TV
tem. This is all the more surprising in
Would you choose Russia to Everyone in Russia complains light of the fact that China, and not Rus-
THE AMERICAN
spend your holidays? Which of about the country’s television. sia, is capable of becoming the U.S.’s
Russia's regions would you like Are you satisfied with Ameri- rival in the international arena of the
to learn more about? can TV? 21st century. While Washington’s rela-
tions with Moscow have usually been
fine-tuned in accordance with Russia’s
LENS
movement towards a liberal democra-
Questions? Opinions?
cy and behavior on post-Soviet territo-
ry, the Bush administration has not
DRAWING BY DMITRY DIVIN
used such criteria for moving forward
We want to hear from you. mercial appeals are not pub U.S.-China interactions. Instead, the with the U.S. than Russia has been Unlike Russia, China sees no direct projects an image of a confident coun-
Please send your letters of no lished. Please include your administration has striven to turn China able to achieve. benefits in institutionalizing political try that strives for “a harmonious
more than 350 words, along name and — for verification into a “responsible stakeholder” in world Impressed by China’s success, pro- dialogue with the West. China and world.”
with your name and address, purposes — day or evening affairs. ponents of the “Chinese model” of re- the U.S. try to avoid mutual criticism; Russia has a much greater chance
on any subject about Russia… telephone numbers. Letters The reasoning behind this situation lations with the U.S. have become however, it is likely that they are on than China to areach partnership with
be it business, culture, tourism, and guest columns, once pub- can be found in Americans’ high and more vocal in Russia. However, it is the way to actual mutual contain- the U.S. and the West in general with-
human relations or politics] lished in RBTH, become the apparently unrealistic expectations of necessary to consider what down- ment. Aggressive rhetoric towards out losing its own uniqueness and in-
We want to know what inter- property of Rossiskaya Gazet- Russia in the 90’s. American politi- sides there are to such a model for China usually fails to give American dependence. Although China has thus
ests you about Russia today, ta, and it reserves the right to cians and experts assumed that Rus- Russia. politicians additional financial back- far made greater achievements than
as a place to visit or a place to reject, condense or edit for sia would gradually follow the model Following China’s path, Russia would ing or more votes. However, among Russia in this area, Russia could take
do business, and its place in the clarity or when information of Central European governments. have to be ready to sacrifice any sus- American military and intelligence the lead by finding its own path be-
world today. stated as fact cannot be sub- Moscow, however, continued to drift tained and meaningful dialogue with communities, where planning ex- tween the “Chinese model” of relations
Anonymous letters, personal stantiated. away from the West in both domestic the West in context of the G8, institutes ceeds four-year terms, concerns with the U.S. and the fate of being
attacks, letters advocating ex- and foreign policies. of the EU-Russia cooperation, the about China’s action runs deeper America’s “junior partner.” There is
tremism, letters to other peo- E-mail to editor.usa@rg.ru, Unlike Russia, which Americans want- Russia-NATO Council, and, possibly, than in political spheres. much greater room for maneuver be-
ple, mass mailings and com- fax to +1 (202) 330 5423 ed to see as a country much like their with other structures such as the Despite all differences between Rus- tween these two options than is evi-
own, China is regarded by the Ameri- Council of Europe and OSCE. This sia and China, Moscow could learn dent to the naked eye.
can political community as “different.” would be unwise. The value of Mos- from Beijing the art of sophisticated
From Washington’s perspective, cow’s adjustments to Western inter- public diplomacy. According to pub- Dr. Igor Zevelev is professor of politi-
Pro&Con:
someone “different” has the right to national practices in these institutions lic opinion polls from 47 states, in cal science and Washington Bureau
practice “incorrect” domestic policies is often underestimated by Russian 2007 China had an overall positive Chief of RIA Novosti – Russian News
and politics. U.S.-China contradictions politicians and experts. It would be image in 27 countries, while Russia and Information Agency.
Does Russia need to improve its image?
on the international arena seldom lead reckless to trade in the fruits of suc- was viewed in a positive light in mere- Dr. Mikhail Troitsky is assistant pro-
MOST RUSSIANS FEEL CERTAIN THAT THEIR COUNTRY’S IMAGE ABROAD to crises in their relationship. Gener- cessful adaptation to greater respon- ly 14 countries. Regardless of seri- fessor at Moscow State Institute of In-
NEEDS SERIOUS IMPROVEMENT. SHOULD RUSSIA REALLY DO IT? ally, China, has managed to reach a sibilities for dubious freedom in foreign ous internal socio-economic prob- ternational Relations (MGIMO Uni-
more level and pragmatic connection policy maneuvering. lems, in the international arena China versity).
To improve the image of Russia in the world
the media has to tell the truth. If half of what
the media says about Russia were true, its image
would be different. People all over the world would
OLYMPIC
of work. For people such as Adam, armed conflict of 1992-1993. Besides
know that Russia does have problems with cor- Sochi is a great opportunity. The the economic benefits, the Olympics
ruption, and nationalistic trends and the number planned investment of $12 billion may affect its ambiguous political sta-
FROM PERSONAL ARCHIVES
of poor people is still quite high. But they would
HOPES OF THE
speaks for itself: there will be enough tus. Russia will be determined to main-
MARGARITA also know that the war in Chechnya is over and construction work for everyone, and tain the current stability in Abkhazia.
SIMONIAN
the standard of living is gradually improving. Un- it will be close to home. The greatest difficulty is that stability
EDITOR-IN-
CHEIF RUSSIA
fortunately, we journalists often say either some- President Putin has made it clear that itself is regarded differently in Abkha-
TODAY TV
thing negative or nothing at all. This may also be
HIGHLANDERS
the Olympics in Sochi are actually just zia and Georgia. But the best course
the reason why most of what you read about Rus- one of many crucial projects to accel- is to ensure the present stability, which
sia is negative. Russia does have a lot of prob- erate the entire country’s economic means that for the next seven years,
To improve
lems, but there is also a trend of writing about Rus- development. The Olympic sites and the people of Abkhazia can go about
the image of
sia in a negative way. Sometimes I feel like the infrastructure will do more than create their business to solve their social and
Russia in the
country I’m living in is different from the one I’m a construction boom in the Krasnodar economic problems.
world the me-
reading about. For instance, when I read that free-
TIMUR ALIEV
then travel to Sochi. He’d heard that the region. The consequences will be far Stability must be maintained in the en-
dia has to tell
dom of speech in Russia is worse than in Iraq , I JOURNALIST Olympics would be held and figured greater: the Games are expected to tire North Caucasus, where several
the truth.
totally lost. Of course, Russia itself should do more that the city would need construction spark a dramatic change in the econ- of the republics are considered “po-
so that others hear about it and understand it rath- In a minivan taxi driving the route from workers. The man’s name was Adam, omy of the Kuban region and then the tential conflict zones”. Over the next
er than be scared of it. As for the actual problems Narzan (Ingushetia) to Vladikavkaz and he was from the Chechen village entire southern federal district. The seven years, the federal authorities
Russia faces today, they have to be solved; we (North Ossetia), a simply dressed man of Zakan-Yurt. enormous influx of investment into the will do all they can to prevent any kind
shouldn’t be afraid of speaking about them. of about 35 years held a boy in his arms Adam is one of the people for whom Kuban economy will eventually of military action in the region. And
and constantly looked out the window. the 2014 winter Olympic Games in spread to the neighboring regions. that factor — even more than the eco-
I don’t think Russia needs a “positive image” Every now and then he would ask the Sochi are not just a matter of national The unrecognized republic of Abkha- nomic factor — makes the residents
abroad. Indeed, I don’t think any country can other passengers: “How much lon- pride, but an event that might change zia, which is closest to Sochi, could of the North Caucasus republics hap-
have a unified image, good or bad. It would be ger? Will we get to Vladikavkaz before his life. The high levels of unemploy- reap the greatest economic benefits. piest of all.
better to concentrate on the country’s reputation five o’clock? Will we stop far from the ment in Chechnya and the entire Even now the leaders of the republic
in specific areas. Russia’s ballet, its literature and train station?” It transpired that he was North Caucasus force hundreds of are talking about rebuilding the local Timur Aliev is editor of Chechen Society
its women, for example, all have fabulous reputa- rushing to catch the train to Adler and people to leave their homes in search airport, which was closed after the NEWSPAPER (Grozny).
FROM PERSONAL ARCHIVES
tions. But there are other areas that need a lot of
ILYA MERENZON
work: corruption, out-of-control bureaucracy and
PUBLISHER
an unstable business environment. And with
RUSSIA!
MAGAZINE
these issues, abstract improvement in Russia’s
image won’t do any good. I am not saying public
relations campaigns are bad. They can be very DOG-WALKING
most the time the owners carry these
dogs instead of walk them. There is
even less to discuss with them than
I don’t think
useful for Russian corporations that need access
Russia needs
to Western capital, or for producers who need to
a “positive im-
establish long-term relationships with a new cus-
age” abroad.
tomer base. But an American business person,
– A GATEWAY
with the retired cop.
There was one period in my life when
I didn’t have a dog. During the difficult
1990s, the years of liberal reform, life
English tourist, Japanese architect or French chef
does not need to fall in love with the country to do
DRAWING BY SERGEI YELKIN
business here or come for a visit. What the West- TO WISDOM
was so hard that I couldn’t bring my-
self to take on responsibility for anoth-
er living creature. But that was also the
ern public needs — and what Russia often fails to time when the streets were filled with
provide — is information, as how to get a visa in people walking Rottweilers, Pitt Bulls
24 hours, where to stay and how to do business and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
here. Once that information is out, the hard part for
ALEXEI PANKIN
soon as Nox sees Achilles, he starts to time when pet shops sold only leash- Today companion breeds are pop-
Russia will be making a foreign tourist or business- JOURNALIST wag his tail and squeal with joy, but he es, collars and muzzles, and that to ular. In my neighbourhood, Dachs-
man’s visit run as smoothly as it would in the Unit- expresses his joy by clamping down make sure puppies got all the vitamins hunds are the most plentiful, followed
ed States or Britain. When Moscow moves down Dog-walking teaches you more about on his friend’s drooping muzzle and essential for healthy growth, you had by Labradors and Golden Retrievers,
in the Most-Expensive-Cities-in-the-World index life than any newspaper or opinion ears. The Labrador usually endures to grind up egg shells and chalk and although there are more and more
and up in the World Politeness index, the nation’s poll. this with good humor, although some- mix them into thoroughly boiled oat- West Highland and Scotch Terriers.
overall image will improve automatically. I don’t like Labradors. I find them plac- times he growls. If he gets truly angry meal. Today you can find the all the No matter what the differences be-
id and rather bumbling. But Vladimir some day, he could bite my dog in half premium brands of dry and canned tween the totalitarian and democrat-
Putin does like them and often takes in an instant. pet food on just about every corner. ic eras, one thing remains constant.
Harry Potter and his Russian fans
his Labrador, Connie, to various tele- The owner of the Labrador is a retired Most of the time our group discuss- Both then and now the authorities
vised events. Russia’s citizens like police captain. Of the dozen or so es apolitical topics, like the best kind have demanded that we walk our dogs
ALL NIGHT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BOUGHT ENGLISH-RUSSIAN DICTIONA- Putin, and that’s probably why there members of our informal dog-walking of doggie rain suits, or the most effec- in specially marked areas and keep
RIES AND STOOD IN LINE AT BOOK STORES TO BE THE FIRST TO READ A BOOK are a fair number of Labradors on my club, he’s the only one who talks about tive brand of tick repellent. them leashed and muzzled. And both
ABOUT A YOUNG WIZARD IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE. WHY DO THESE NO- neighborhood streets. politics. His politics come down to the The skyrocketing number of York- now and then we walk our dogs wher-
VELS TOUCH THE RUSSIAN SOUL? My favorite breed is the small but brave belief that life under the communists shire Terrier owners maintain their ever they want and think that leashes
and proud West Highland White Ter- was better. We don’t agree, but we distance from us. An entire indus- and muzzles are a form of cruelty to
In the Harry Potter books, the plot is badly rier. My Westie, Nox, doesn’t share don’t argue either. We respect each try now produces clothing (including animals. The authorities can’t order us
written. But the setting — the background, my views; he prefers Labradors, al- other’s right to his own opinion. mink coats) and accessories (collars around. But we do secretly wish that
ITAR-TASS
characters, place and atmosphere — is brilliant- though his relationship with one of For us veteran dog owners, the com- with precious stones among other the owners of fighting breeds would
ly written. That’s why Russians like them. We’re them, Achilles, is rather strained. As munist period is remembered as the things) for this breed, even though become more law-abiding.
good at plot and bad at setting. Our actions and
passions are positively Shakespearean, but the
setting for our lives is rather flat and unappealing.
DMITRY BYKOV
Maybe that’s why we like role-playing games. Live-
WRITER
action role-playing games have taken off in Russia further diplomatic tensions. But these Russia Beyond the Headlines will of our times, while trying to preserve
like nowhere else. Kids take the setting of Rowl- headline-grabbing events barely bring news, analysis and trends. Our its traditions and identity.
The Russian
ing’s novels and act out their own plots, which are scratch the surface of this enormous economic pages will acquaint you with We have been encouraged by let-
yearning for
much more interesting than hers. In the Harry Pot- country, which, as our railway traveller the Russian market, its prospects, ters from readers, which have shown
order is fi-
ter novels, everything is logical, orderly, and clear- on page two points out, is seven days and its interdependence with foreign that there is a thirst for a deeper un-
nally realized
cut. There are spells they need to make their po- TO OUR READERS wide and 14 days long. countries. derstanding of where Russia is going
in Rowling’s
tions, and thousands of practices to master before Russia Beyond the Headlines is a As a host, Russia Beyond the Head- today. Your questions, comments and
novels
the wand will work — plus the guiding principle that new-style supplement sponsored by lines will show you around the coun- suggestions are always welcome at
good must triumph over evil. How much do you think you know about the leading daily paper Rossiyskaya try’s cities and landscapes, arts and editor.usa@rg.ru
what is going on in Russia today? In the Gazeta (Russia Gazette). Each issue culture. In the process, we hope to dis- Russia Beyond the Headlines offers
When a work of literature that is not first-rank past few weeks you may have read the of RBTH will go behind the news, to pel stereotypes and preconceptions, additional information about Russia in
or even tenth-rank becomes so popular and usual enthusiastic reviews of the Bol- give a view of events from a Russian and help you understand Russia as an the latest multimedia formats through
so easily flogged to millions of readers, it’s a certain shoi Ballet, seen surprising pictures of perspective — something not easy to historic, complex nation undergoing a complementary e-paper version
indication of poor taste. So first of all, I don’t share President Putin on holiday or heard of find elsewhere. change in response to the challenges and website http://rbth.rg.ru.
the general opinion that this is good literature. Sec-
ond, the books are rather elitist: an attractive and
FROM PERSONAL ARCHIVES
cultured boy in glasses stands up to the rabble.
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ORTHODOX
my third objection: it’s not a magic fairy tale at all. EVGENY ABOV EDITOR & PUBLISHER MIKHAIL BELYAT MANAGING EDITOR NICOLAI KOROLEV PHOTO EDITOR IGOR ISAKOV CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER MILLA DOMOGATSKAYA CHIEF LAYOUT EDITOR, IRINA PAVLOVA
PRIEST
In fairy tales, the magical world and the real world
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intersect, but they don’t merge. It’s hard to think of
INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER SEGELL@WASHPOST.COM PH. +1 (212) 445 5853
There is some-
a single classical fairy tale where the hero is a wiz-
© COPYRIGHT 2007, ZAO ‘ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA’. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALEXANDER GORBENKO GENERAL DIRECTOR VLADISLAV FRONIN CHIEF EDITOR.
thing unchris-
ard — and especially a tale where you can’t tell if
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tian in the ob-
he’s a good wizard or a bad one. In these books,
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session with
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the real world merges with the virtual world. Given
Potter
MANUSCRIPTS AND PHOTOS.
modern uncritical thinking, influenced by atheism
and without ethical standards, these kinds of ob-
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