New Face at Russia's Helm

Author: Linda DeLaine
Website: RL Online
Department:
Page: 2   ( 2) pages

Summary: More about Russia's acting president; January, 2000.

Putin used his popularity and new position to endorse the Unity party in the December, 19, 1999, Duma elections. As a result, Unity came in just behind the dominating Communist party. However, the combined votes of the Unity and other centrist parties exceeded that of the Communists. Thus, a new Duma, elected by the people, is very much pro-Putin. Putin is seen as a young, adventuresome and vibrant individual who is willing to take chances and do whatever is necessary to achieve a better life for the Russian people.

Putin agrees with Yeltsin regarding their disapproval of U.S. and Western criticism and attempted intervention in the Chechen affair. Chechyna is a Russian republic, thus, the crisis in considered, by Russia, to be an internal issue; one that is not one else's business. At the same time, Putin is very interested in maintaining a good relationship with the U.S.; afterall, it is in both country's best interest. He has been quoted as saying he would welcome a visit, to Moscow, by President Bill Clinton and would gladly visit Washington, DC, if invited.

Acting president Putin has been rather vocal about his take on the economy and what needs to be done. He is in favor of a regulated market economy, but opposes both the more liberal approach of the West and any system similar to that of the Soviet era. While Russia is no longer a Communist nation, Putin points out that she will never become a democracy by Western form and definition. He states that, because of the Russian history and the nature of Russian society, the people want and need a regulatory state which is determined by the traditions of the nation. Putin has pointed out that Soviet Communism failed because it did not cause the nation to prosper and its people were in bondage and not free.

Putin is in favor of a slower reform process. He has proposed a fifteen year plan to improve foreign investments and, at the same time, the quality of life for the Russian people. It seems that he believes that the best and most permanent reforms come with time as apposed to quick fixes.

Of great interest is Putin's career in the KGB and intelligence. From 1984 - 1990, he served as a spy in Dresden, East Germany. This duty was proceeded by a nine year stint and a KGB internal affairs officer in St. Petersburg. While he is very popular, there is considerable concern, primarily by other politicians and international leaders, regarding Putin's motives. On December 18, 1999, Putin and his wife, Lyudmila, attended the 25th wedding anniversary party of a former KGB agent at Dzerzhinsky Square. This building currently houses the FSB, post-Soviet version of the KGB. Feliks Dzerzhinsky was the founder of the KGB back in 1917. The Putins were warmly welcomed. The question on many peoples' minds is this; is Putin a democrate as he says, or is he really so-called Chekist or one who adheres to the tactics of the old secret police? Frightening to some is the report that, at this party of former KGB agents, former KGB chief and prime minister, Yevgeny Primakov, offered a toast. He ask that all who defined themselves as Chekists to stand up. As the report goes, most did, including Putin.

Putin began his political career in the early 1990's as the aide to St. Petersburg's mayor at the time, Anatoly Sobchak. He later was appointed as the first deputy head of the city government, in 1994. When Sobchak lost his mayoral bid, in 1996, Putin was brought to Moscow to serve as deputy to Pavel Borodin, the manager of the administration's properties; Kremlin, residences, office buildings, etc. Putin was soon put in charge of relations between the Kremlin and Russia's regions. He was noted as being an imperialist because he refused to give regional leaders more power and walked a pro-Kremlin line. Yeltsin appointed Putin as secretary of his Security Council, in March of 1999.

Vladimir Putin was instrumental in the launching of the brand new, official Russian Federation Government website. It is in both English and Russia. This is an excellent, informative and up to date site. Be sure to read, Russia at the Turn of the Millennium, written by Vladimir Putin. This article outlines, very clearly, Putin's assessment of the Russian condition and his solutions for the future.

A Footnote . . .

In a recently released report, it is stated that Vladimir Putin was awarded a decoration for service, the Bronze Order, from East Germany's Stasi during his years as a KGB spy in this country. The award was given by former Stasi chief, Erich Mielke, to Putin in 1988.

Russia's Unfinished Revolution
Political Change from Gorbachev to Putin
Michael McFaul

Hardcover, 384pp.
Cornell University Press
September 2001