http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/12/world/europe/12russia.html?_r=1&ref=world
http://en.rian.ru/video/20101109/161258359.html
So, apparently Medvedev has all of a sudden decided that attacks on journalists are horrible crimes and must be investigated. During a meeting with Rossiskaya Gazeta's journalists he expressed his concern for the situation and praised the role of journalists in discovering and deliverying to the public the truth:
http://news.kremlin.ru/video/601
My guess is that since a video showing Kommersant journalist Oleg Kashin being beaten up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T96NFuxZ8Mo) has reached the internet and the wider audience, Med and his buddies want to show that they are actually taking care of this all situation before anyone starts saying that it's all the government's fault.
Everything you have taught me about Russian politics suggests that this regime has raised political posturing to high art. This it must do because it's corrupt. Everyone knows it's corrupt, but the government can afford to reveal a certain amount of its corruption and yet remain unfettered, as long as it trims off the excess here and there. If it sticks out, lop it off; otherwise business as usual. There is a considerable amount of Russian pride and luckily it is image-conscious. In the long run the effort to appear reasonable and proper (and not too corrupt) will prove the country's saving grace as the periodic pruning of excess eventually produces a reforming element in ruling circles. A slow process, always in the teeth of those who would hijack the political machinery strictly for personal gain. Actually it's fascinating to watch. Let us hope the oligarchs gradually misstep themselves out of power.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/world/europe/02wikileaks-russia.html
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you've read it, but just in case. Very interesting.