-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- Wednesday, March 1 6:15 PM SGT Putin leading Russia towards "modernised Stalinism": Bonner MOSCOW, March 1 (AFP) - Vladimir Putin is overseeing the introduction of a dark era of "modernised Stalinism," Yelena Bonner, widow of rights activist Andrei Sakharov, said in an opinion piece published Wednesday. Bonner and a raft of leading Russian rights activists urged the West to "re-examine their attitude toward the Kremlin leadership, to cease indulging it in its barbaric actions, its dismantlement of democracy and suppression of human rights." The harshly-worded polemic urged the "democratic world" to support "our efforts to stop the war in Chechnya; restoration of freedom of the press; and the activity of civil rights and national-minority organisations." The article, published in the English-language Moscow Times, marked a rare critical outburst in Russia, where press and television carry largely pro-Putin coverage. It painted a stark picture of life under Putin, who became acting president on December 31 following the shock resignation of Boris Yeltsin, and remains the overwhelming favourite to win March 26 elections. "Under Putin, a new stage in the introduction of modernised Stalinism has begun. Authoritarianism is growing harsher, society is being militarised, the military budget is increasing," the group added. Special units of the FSB domestic intelligence agency were being recreated within the military, military education is being reintroduced into schools, university students and high school graduates were being drafted. "Nationalist and anti-Western propaganda is increasing. The influence of the security agencies is increasing," the authors noted. The Andrei Babitsky case highlighted civil rights concerns, they said, noting that three-quarters of civil rights organisations had been stripped of their right to conduct legal activity. Bonner and her co-authors said the modernised form of Stalinism had been re-established" during Yeltsin's reign under the cover of democratic and market reforms applauded by the West. Two-thirds of Russians worked for nothing or symbolic wages, twice Stalin-era levels; more than one million people were languishing in gruesome prisons. "Add to that the victims of two Chechen wars and the mafia terror throughout the country. Yet today, all the citizens of the country are free and may even travel abroad. Modernisation!" Powerful businessmen known as "oligarchs" ensured a compliant mass media, the rights activists wrote, adding: "Elections in such conditions have become a farce. "The mass media pour filth upon all serious opponents of the Kremlin and barely let their voices be heard. Falsification of vote counts has flourished," they said saying that at least real elections were possible within the Communist Central Committee." A Kremlin spokesman said "we have no comment." Putin's potential rivals for the Kremlin, Moscow's powerful mayor Yury Luzhkov and ex-prime minister Yevgeny Primakov, saw their poll ratings destroyed by a vicious mud-slinging campaign in state-controlled media orchestrated by the presidential administration. ===== <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
