RUSSIA: Pro-Kremlin protest as Garry Kasparov names his candidates for Russian election

Russian opposition umbrella group "Other Russia", led by former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, met on Sunday (September 30) to draw up a list of candidates for parliamentary elections in December. As delegates arrived for their meeting in Moscow, activists from a pro-Kremlin youth group staged a noisy protest, labelling "Other Russia" and its leaders traitors. Nowadays Russian opposition campaigners face regular protests against them by pro-government groups that accuse them of trying to stage a Ukrainian style "Orange Revolution" in Russia. Feelings are running high. Karen Aganyan, an activist from the pro-Kremlin youth movement "Young Guards" said "Other Russia" members should be "killed at birth". Inside Garry Kasparov, of "Other Russia" told reporters talk of winning elections by the opposition movement was premature. He said the opposition's key aim was to ensure free and fair elections are held in Russia. "I think when one is analysing the current political situation in Russia, one should be very cautious in using words like party, movements, elections, running for president, because we are living in a very, very different environment. It has nothing to do with the free democratic country, and the goal of the Other Russia is not winning elections but to have an election" he said. Kasparov accuses the Kremlin of squeezing democracy, and says the authorities are waging a dirty tricks campaign to obstruct him and other opposition figures from participating in elections. Parliamentray elections are due to be held in Russia on December 2. Most observers believe the pro-Kremlin United Russia party will again dominate the lower house of parliament. Russian President Vladimir Putin steps down in March 2008 after two terms in office, and his successor is set to be elected in polls due on March 9.

ITN Source | September 30, 2007

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