Kasparov Plays Down Russian Opposition Divisions
Garry Kasparov says Other Russia needs to step up its activities in Russia's regions (file) (AFP)
In a July 9 interview with RFE/RL's Russian Service, Kasparov said Other Russia was moving "from words to deeds" as elections approach.
Former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov left Other Russia on July 2, prior to the group's conference in Moscow on July 7-8.
Kasparov said Kasyanov wanted to be named Other Russia's presidential candidate while other members wanted a free competition.
Read the full interview in Russian by RFE/RL's Russian Service
here.
Kasparov said Other Russia needed to step up its activities in the regions.
He outlined a plan to hold a series of regional conferences, followed by a national congress that would nominate a unified opposition presidential candidate.
"Today, we are drafting a proposal for convening [regional] conferences," he said. "And I expect that in the next two weeks we will coordinate it with regional activists, not only of our organization, but also of many other organizations that work with Other Russia in the regions in order to be able to hold 45 conferences in August and September which will be followed by a congress."
Kasparov criticized Kasyanov for seeking a "predictable" process for selecting a presidential candidate.
Demonstrators in Moscow carry a coffin with a television in it to protest government control over broadcasting (TASS file photo)
DO RUSSIANS LIKE THEIR GOVERNMENT? During a briefing at RFE/RL's Washington office on November 15, Richard Rose, director of the Center for the Study of Public Policy at the University of Aberdeen, discussed the results of 14 surveys he has conducted since 1992 on Russian public opinion about democracy and the country's development. He discussed the implications of these opinions for relations with the West and for Russia's 2008 presidential election.
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