The nuke threat is a world threat. Not just the US and Russia. Until Russia begins supporting human rights and UN treaties with action, Russia is nothing more than dangerous animal! By supporting Iran and North Korea, or maybe it is permitting these countries to be nuke capable, Russia is showing its true colors. I wouldn't trust them with a golf tee!
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Garry Kasparov, former chess master turned Kremlin critic: "Russia deserves democracy."
Paging the President
Vox Pop: What Russians want Obama to know.
Published Jul 6, 2009
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A day before the American president was scheduled to meet with opposition and civil society groups in Russia, NEWSWEEK spoke with human-rights activists, politicians, and experts about what they expect from the summit.
Karina Maskalenko, a lawyer for jailed billionaire Mikhail Khordorkovsky and assassinated journalist Anna Politkovskaya's family, at the European Court of Human Rights:
"The independence of the entire court system in Russia is currently being tested by two major trials: the Yukos [petroleum company] case and the Khordorkovsky case. Russian President [Dmitry] Medvedev created a challenge for himself by admitting that Russia is rotten with state corruption. Does the president, a lawyer, really think that for an innocent person to be pardoned, he or she should first admit guilt? That is nothing but pure legal nihilism. We want President Obama to know the truth about Russia just as much as we want to know the truth about America's violations in its prisons. Let us be open and honest with each other, rather than turning our backs on our problems."
Ivan Bunin, director of the Center of Political Technologies:
"I would like to see President Obama reset relations with Russia, a move that would significantly strengthen Russian President Medvedev's position. President Obama's decision to criticize Putin gives us hope that his visit will change the political climate. ... Finally, we'd like to hear the words of respect. This is what Russia has been asking from the West during the whole of Putin's term."
Vyacheslav Izmailov, a senior correspondent of Novaya Gazeta(one of a handful of independent Russian newspapers), who has lost six colleagues to contract murders:
"For over a decade we have been under attack for criticizing state corruption. Our friends and colleagues have been shot and poisoned for their investigative reporting about the Kremlin, FSB[intelligence service], and other sensitive subjects. But this year our newspaper had a chance to interview both President Obama and President Medvedev. This is a big change. It means we are out of the dark. Still, that does not mean that Obama has taken us under his wing. We must fight for our democracy on our own. We simply hope that Obama reminds us all of the real values of a democracy."
Garry Kasparov, chess champion and political opposition leader:
"This is a unique event. The fact that political players like me, [reformer] Boris Nemtsov, and [member of the opposition] Elena Lukyanova will have a chance to meet with President Obama means it is possible to reset relations. Obama cannot change our reality in two days, but we at least expect him to stop treating us with double standards. Russia has an authoritarian regime; Obama's and Putin's values cannot have common ground. I will tell President Obama about Russia's dozens of political prisoners—opposition activists, scientists, and businessmen. We will judge him by whether or not he has a clear plan for Russia. But we wish to highlight that Russia deserves democracy."
Gennady Gudkov, a Duma deputy:
"President Obama has already made even the most angry anti-American politicians in the Russian Parliament soften up, just because he is a younger, more professional, intelligent, and sensible leader than Bush. Most Russian politicians have great expectations that his visit will put an end to the Cold War mentality in Russian politics."
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