HERE HE IS. LEADER OF THE LDPR PARTY, VICE-SPEAKER OF THE STATE DUMA OF RUSSIA, CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, FAMOUS POLICY, PHILOSOPHE, LAWYER. EVERYBODY KNOWS HIM. PERCEPT DIFFERENTLY. BUT NO ONE DENIES ITS INCREDIBLE OPERATION AND POLITICAL WILL. FOR MEASURES IN STRENGTHENING THE RUSSIAN STATE AND ACTIVE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES, IN 2000, BY THE DECREE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RF, VLADIMIR ZHIRINOVSKY WAS AWARDED THE TITLE "EMPLOYED LAWYER OF RUSSIA.
We are talking with Vladimir Volfovich sitting on the shore of the Persian Gulf. We are talking about the politics and rights of Russian citizens, about the problems of women and children, about sea vacations. No slogans, harsh phrases and become the talk of the town "Definitely!". We, living in Dubai, want to understand what one of the most striking and extraordinary Russian politicians thinks about the events taking place in our distant Motherland.
- Vladimir Volfovich, at the end of 2007, parliamentary elections were held in Russia, during which the LDPR won a pretty confident victory and won a significant number of seats in the State Duma. You are currently running as a candidate for the presidential election in March 2008. What are the main reasons leading you and your team to this election? Indeed, many analysts and political scientists say that the outcome of the presidential race in Russia is a foregone conclusion, a successor has already been appointed, so is it worth it to go and vote at all?
- Elections in Russia have been held for 20 years, and all these years we (the LDPR party - approx. Ed.) Have been taking part in them. Our results are often underestimated. Basically, about two times. In the current composition of the Duma, we should have not forty deputies, but eighty. But we attribute this to costs. They are in the economy. The dollar or euro is not at all what it really is. It is kept artificially, tying it to some specially invented parameters. So it is in democracy, unfortunately. Pure democracy is not yet possible with us. We ourselves are victims of this alignment, but still try to remain participants in the electoral process, since everything is good for us. Citizens of the country hear us, and this develops them. Ultimately, the stage will come when the elections will be extremely clean, transparent and will satisfy most people.
- When do you think such times will come?
- About twenty years later. A new generation will grow, it will be more informed. Now, basically, a large part of the population of our country is an old, still Soviet generation that grew up in another world. It is very difficult for them to rebuild; they will turn democracy in the other direction. In the direction of egalitarianism, in the direction of lowering the number of rich people. They live in a certain sense of envy, revenge, and in some ways they are right. Therefore, that democracy is good when society is more homogeneous. Such as in the USA or rich European countries such as Belgium, Holland, Sweden, in small countries. In a large country like Russia, it is difficult to achieve social homogeneity. The gap between rich and poor is huge.
Although we in the LDPR are not afraid of open and transparent elections. We know that our potential is up to 30% of the vote. This is the standard percentage for Europe, where the political party going to the polls receives about 30 percent, and when this figure is 70% or higher, it always raises suspicions.
- How do you assess your chances of winning the presidential election?
- I have good chances as a presidential candidate. If the vote is completely transparent, then there is a chance of winning. If it will be with the so-called "manual fine-tuning", then - the second place. If you really aggravate the situation, it means third place. In any case, for 20 years, the LDPR has always been one of the three leaders. Like in sports - gold, silver, bronze ... In 1993, the Liberal Democratic Party won gold in parliamentary elections, in 1995 silver. Bronze was in 2003, and in 2007 too. In the 1991 presidential election, we also had bronze, and this is important, because those elections were held in the most difficult conditions for the country. That is, we are always among the winners. We are disgusted that our votes go to our competitors, but if you choose a different path of struggle, you need to have more money. So far we have no such resources. A revolution is a weapon, a rifle, but democracy is money. Therefore, it is difficult for us to compete with them (forces ruling today - approx. Ed.), They have a hundred times more money. It happens when the money is twice or three, and they have a hundred times more. Now, if I can hardly collect $ 10 million for the elections, they will have a billion. Well, and what can I do. Billion versus ten million. Very difficult. This is where the root of the problem lies.
Why are elections in America democratic? There, equal forces come into the struggle for the presidency. Both parties invest the same amount of money in the election campaign. And they pull the voter onto themselves with some kind of find, with some software installations that are today the most relevant and closer to the electorate. And only on this they are breaking ahead. And the whole difference there is one or two percent. That is, both parties go "head to head". We don’t have it yet. We are sorry, but we have no other way. Just go out, as did SPS, Yabloko, the National Bolsheviks and other parties? It does not give anything. Any violent way is also excluded. Take the latest developments in Kenya, the unrest in Pakistan caused by the assassination of Benazir Phutto. All this is very difficult, plus big sacrifices. For Russia, this will be too much of a burden.
- The Western press, referring to the lack of democracy in Russia, often cites CIS countries such as Georgia or Ukraine, which also held early presidential and parliamentary elections, as an example. What do you think of it?
- I know both Georgia and Ukraine. And there, and there have been. He lived in Georgia. In 2004, he came to Ukraine as an election observer. Then he traveled almost half of Ukraine. Everything is the same there as ours. Corruption and pressure on both sides. Therefore, in no case can not be considered that some democratic forces are fighting there and democratic processes are taking place. Unfortunately, they act in the same way as we, using the same administrative resource.
In Georgia, I am sure that Saakashvili lost the presidential election, but nevertheless he, at least, honestly declared his victory with a maximum percentage of votes of 52%. He did not say that 70, 80 or all 90 percent voted for him.
Therefore, perhaps, Western observers believe that this is better. That this is a more democratic way than in Asia or in Russia, where the percentages of winners are calculated in figures of 70 and 80%. In our case, there is a big mistake. We could well not have used the manual refinement of the voting results, and then United Russia would receive 40%. Everything would be normal and honest. And 30% would receive the Communists (Communist Party) and we (LDPR). So much for 100 percent. And if United Russia wanted to have a "controlling stake" in the Duma, they could unite with us, and as a result get the same 70%, but honest and clean. But they did not, they lack understanding. Communist swagger sits in these people, because they all left the CPSU. Not only the Communist Party is officially the heir to the CPSU. “United Russia” consists of 93% of the former communists and party nomenclature, and even the Cheka (KGB), that is, those people who strictly adhered to all these communist norms. Therefore, they cannot understand in any way that it is necessary in a different way, that it is necessary to start playing in the same way as in the West. With the same rules. Form the necessary coalitions. On the contrary, invite foreign observers to you: "Come, come to us!" And to tell them that 12 thousand observers are not enough for us, let them be 120 thousand. Let's! Georgia had a huge number of observers, almost 400 thousand, but compare how Georgia is smaller than Russia in terms of population. Thirty times. And we do not need observers. Why? What are we afraid of? Let there be many foreign observers, let there be free and democratic elections. But no. They (the party of the "majority") are still afraid. Do not know how. Why? Because today the ruling class in Russia is the remnants of the former CPSU, which squeezed out everything that is possible. This is not a new formation, not a creative political elite, but the remnants of the very nomenclature. Third tier. That is, the most losers. Gorbachev - took the “cream” for himself, under Yeltsin something good still remained, and now the worst shots remained. Therefore, you have to endure them.
- Will it take a long time for new frames to grow?
- Already, everything is going to that. Today in Russia there are 23 million Internet users. This means that over the past 5-6 years, their number has increased sevenfold. In the next ten years, the whole country will use the Internet. Everything. Then nothing can be done. People will hear and see us directly. These are ten to fifteen years and everyone will have to endure.
- How can you comment on the situation today with our compatriots living and working abroad?
- Integration and constant contacts with Russians living abroad are very important today. Our citizens are still drawn to the homeland. They have a desire to help Russia, a desire to return to Russia. No matter how good it is abroad, a person is burdened by someone else's. If there was a single language in the whole world, then there would be no problems. And the lack of a single language space separates people. It is difficult to hear someone else’s speech, to celebrate other people's holidays, to live according to other people's customs. Therefore, a Russian man is drawn to his homeland. And we are conducting this work, aimed at interacting with compatriots, and will continue to do so in the future. For this, money is pledged to the federal budget, and special structures are created in the government and executive bodies.
A deputy from the LDPR, for example, heads the Committee on CIS Affairs and Relations with Compatriots in the Duma. Now they began to pay attention to this. The regime in Russia has become more stable. There was a time and a desire to communicate with their citizens. We have always stood for this. But the past government was a little afraid of their own compatriots who went abroad. Because after the collapse of the USSR, the Russian people turned out to be divided, and the rest, who did not want to stay in the new states, feared Moscow’s policies, because the split of the Union caused it. Therefore, there was a certain bitterness in people in power, and the government, in turn, apparently knew and was afraid that people would vote against it. And now everything has calmed down, and questions of communication with compatriots abroad have been given attention at the state level.
- Vladimir Volfovich, you are familiar with the problems of the Middle East. In 2006, your book, The Cruel War in the Middle East, was published, in which you give an interpretation of the development of events in this region. There were other publications regarding the problems of Iran and Iraq. What are your impressions of your current stay in Dubai? How do you assess the situation in the UAE as a whole?
- I'm in Dubai for the second time. I believe that this country should be developed and developed. Let our people work and live here, get married, do business, develop a culture. Everything that is possible is interesting and useful - it is necessary to do. You can’t limit anyone. And willy-nilly, in this way, relations with Russia will improve. Our fellow citizens act as a kind of connecting link with the Motherland. Good thing your magazines are published here. It is good that there is a strong Russian diaspora here. In general, wherever I come, there are Russians everywhere. In London, in New York, in Paris, in Dubai, in Cyprus. Commercial, sports, cultural ties must be developed and strengthened. Those connections that damage Russian interests are harmful. When in Russia they are trying to create some organizations that are now called non-governmental. Under Soviet rule, they were called "public." And through them they try to influence our domestic policy. This, of course, does not always arouse approval among official authorities.
- That was what caused the closure of the offices of the British Council in major Russian cities?
- Of course. Because it was a "roof" for conducting anti-Russian activities. And I myself know this well, using the example of, say, such parties as Yabloko. They were always supported by two German foundations - von Ebbert and Friedrich Naumann. Money was allocated directly, internships, studies, and various preparations were conducted. This is a direct intervention in the affairs of Russia. We are not training activists for the CDU of Germany or the SPD, but they are directly involved in this. Workshops are held. They became insolent even to the point that the Russian Economic Forum was held in London. Well what is it. Russian forum, and takes place in London. There the official opposition exists, there they are fed, there is the Internet, and the media, and other sources of propaganda. But this is not enough for them, and they are trying inside Russia to do the same. No one will restrict anyone if it is the organization of a humanitarian plan. Want to provide economic assistance? Do it. But do not interfere in our domestic politics, and it is hostile. Please conduct seminars and talk about electoral systems around the world, about parliaments around the world. And they are trying to finance and train those structures that are ready to fight the current government, and promise some benefits if they come to power. It is unpleasant. And this is interference in our affairs. Only in this regard is the struggle going on.
- If you still get distracted from politics, do you like to relax in the Emirates? Especially during the New Year, when many famous artists came here with concerts?
- Concerts, stars of Russian show business, local audience - all this is good and pleasant. This allows you not to feel that you are far from the homeland. I love the South, I especially like swimming and relaxing on the water. Even the fact that it is a bit cool in the winter does not bother. All the same, the Emirates is the closest southern direction for us. If you fly further - to the Seychelles or to Thailand, to Australia or the Caribbean, then this is very far away. And Dubai is nearby. I think it's cool for just one month. From the end of February until the end of November, steadily warm weather will be maintained. And the winter temperature of +20 here is still better than in Moscow, where it is now -20. And then, when I arrived, the first week was pretty warm. And I do not like very strong heat.
- Vladimir Volfovich, please answer such a "female" question. The idea of introducing an amendment to the law on the legalization of polygamy in Russia is not related to your previous visit to the Emirates and good knowledge of the Islamic world?
- Many people simply call this law or interpret it incorrectly. We advocated the right of citizens to register remarriage without terminating the previous one. Today, both here and around the world, a person can enter into any number of marriages, but he must dissolve the previous one. Why do this? If he has the opportunity to save both families? In Russia, we are not talking about two wives living in the same house. Each family can live separately. And a man, by the way, may not live with both families. But as a husband and father, he is obliged to pay attention to one and the other family. Thus, women retain their rights: the first continues to be a wife, and in the second woman, children born with this man are considered legitimate. They have a father, and women have a husband. This is not entertainment, in this case. This is the legalization of the shadow sector in family life. He is. And we cannot leave him.
If a man remains a father and husband, he is obliged to support both families.And now, having a second child “on the side,” the man begins to feel worse about the first family. There comes a moment of bifurcation. A man is tormented, worried. Therefore, our law aimed to alleviate the situation. He did not call on all men to have a second and third wife without exception. Not. He called to make life easier for those children who grow up in "single-parent" families, and the fate of those women who live with the stigma of "divorced". Our law in the Duma did not pass.
But the situation with polygamy in Russia really exists. In Muslim regions, people openly have two, three, or even four families. And in the middle lane - it is, but illegally. And what good is this? After all, every year in Russia three hundred thousand children are born out of wedlock. Feel this figure! For 15 years - this is five million children and women who live in a disadvantaged state. What for? Our law could be a temporary solution to the problem. Everything was done by us in the interests of children. They can not be infringed. In no case. We tried to do a noble cause, and our enemies are trying to make fun of it. Here, they say, the Liberal Democratic Party-supporters of polygamy. What are the supporters? We simply send a person to the registry office to officially register their relationship and bear responsibility for their family, we do not force and do not oblige, but give him that right. If forced, it would be a return to serfdom. We say: "Give the person the opportunity to behave responsibly and honestly. So that the children feel that they have a father, and women that they are married."
- But many opponents of such a law or amendments to the law are trying to reduce the essence of the whole problem to religious issues, saying that this form of polygamous marriage is accepted in Islam and is not acceptable for Orthodoxy.
- Exactly. They are trying to compare our country with the countries of the Muslim world. But even here (in the countries of the Middle East - approx. Ed.) This is not. In cities, men, even Muslims, usually have one family. A large number of wives are usually in rural families or remote settlements. And this, again, is understandable. This is not someone's whim, it happened historically. In order not to cast the widow of his brother to the mercy of fate, the elder or younger of the brothers took his wife and children to his family. Because a woman who has already been married has no one else to take care of. It is difficult for her to marry again. Around are full of other girls. And most marriages in rural areas generally occur under duress. Parents agree among themselves, and the guy sees his bride only at the wedding, and he, for example, does not like her. And the father, who is sorry for his son, allows his son to take a second wife to the house, which he will already choose for himself. And so on. Up to four wives. Here the reason may be the absence of children from the first wife, then they bring a second one able to give birth to the house, and the older one watches all the offspring. And war, and accidents, and other disasters. Muslims have limited the number of wives to four. And even at the age of eighty, a Muslim has the right to bring his young wife to the house, if something happened to one of the previous ones. Well, and which is better. Our man divorced his wife, and she was left alone. Live as you want. And a Muslim - saves his family, and not only his own. This cannot be blamed. There must be a right of choice - if you want, do it like this, if you don’t want to - do not.
We still have a lot of difficulties. The Soviet Criminal Code had an article for polygamy. People were imprisoned for this. Or they took a tax for childlessness in the amount of 6%. And I paid it. More recently, all this has been canceled. All of these misinterpretations lead to problems. Any person should have a right enshrined in law. And then, he will decide how he needs to live, without violating the law. The law permits - this is the meaning of a good law. Bad law forbids everything. Our goal was simply to resolve. And we are hung labels. Make fun of us. No one will ever bring a second woman into the Orthodox family. And everyone knows that. In our conditions, this is simply absurd. Imagine two or more wives in our "Khrushchev". People simply don’t know much, therefore those who benefit from propaganda distort all good undertakings. We should not offend our own citizens. This is unfair. And this injustice is enough in other things.
- In which, for example?
- Wild things are happening with Russian citizenship - it’s very difficult for Russian people who were born in other countries to obtain Russian citizenship. We are fighting this. I believe that there should be a “zero” option - a Russian person living abroad should automatically receive a Russian passport at the embassy. No need to go anywhere, no information to collect. What, it does not show that he is Russian? The birthplace is indicated in the metric, it also says that the parents are Russian. You never know who, where and when he left. Everything happens in life. Therefore, if a person wants to have Russian citizenship, he must have every right to do so. Take, for example, Israel. This country gives a passport to anyone, even if he is not Jewish, because according to their law, if my grandmother was Jewish, a person receives citizenship automatically. And here, Russians cannot achieve citizenship for themselves and their children. So they scoff at us. And there is no economy here, and there is no danger in this. We just torment people for years. Many live in Russia and cannot receive a passport for 8-10 years. The Liberal Democratic Party, as a parliamentary party, fights all these things. We are for justice.
Why are our people here (in the UAE - ed.)? To do business, because in Russia they can’t. It would be possible to make dual citizenship in the CIS. Schengen citizens travel across Europe. And we have couples where citizens from different CIS countries are married, are tormented.
Because our authorities do not know what is happening. They spent their whole lives in cabinets. They are told that crime is growing in our country. Why? They explain that this is due to visitors from the CIS. What measures? Let's stop giving them passports. What have you achieved? Nothing. A thug will buy a passport for himself, and a normal person will suffer. Officials need to report, as the president demands a lower crime rate. Downgraded? Not. On the contrary, the crime rate increased in 2007 by half a million cases, and the total number is terrifying - 3.5 million crimes. And the new law on citizenship has been in effect for five years. This means that we did not stop the growth of crime due to the fact that we did not let our former fellow citizens across the USSR come to us, but they blocked oxygen to normal honest citizens of the former Union who would like to live, work and create families in Russia.
- Does this mean that you and the Liberal Democratic Party will continue the struggle for justice?
- One of the slogans of the Liberal Democratic Party - "Do not be afraid and do not lie!". We are not afraid of our enemies and are not afraid of difficulties. We are not the time for ourselves and not the time for our voters. We are trying to work honestly, for the benefit of all Russian citizens.
Interviewed: Irina Ivanova, Elena Olkhovskaya
