God forbid you stand. Excuse us, please

Dozens of people in Russia, no one organized, nobody calls at the call of his own heart out on the picket against the war

Today, when Russia invaded Ukraine, we have forgotten that once Ukrainians and Russians are brothers. “Empire” citizens are experiencing a relapse of “imperial syndrome”. Rating “gatherer of Russian lands” ascended to heaven. There can be no fraternity.

And yet there are people in Russia are worthy of the greatest respect. Lyudmila Mihaylovna Alekseeva – a man of the era. A well-known Russian human rights activist and public figure, one of the founders and chairman of the Moscow Helsinki Group, one of the organizers of the All-Russian Civil Congress. In March, on the eve of the Crimean “referendum”, she put his signature under the appeal of the initiative group for the intelligentsia of the Congress “Against the war, against the self-isolation of Russia against the restoration of totalitarianism.” This was followed by an appeal to the people of Ukraine, signed by Lyudmila Mikhailovna with four well-known Russians, which began with the words: “Dear brothers and sisters!”

“Internet” was able to talk to a human rights activist. Before you – answers Lyudmila Mikhailovna questions of Ukrainian journalists.

– You are, among others, representatives of the Russian intellectuals signed an open letter to counterparts in Russia against the aggressive policy of the Kremlin towards Ukraine. Do you have a lot of like-minded people?

– I am sure that we in Russia today, a lot. According to the “Levada-Center” at the height of enthusiasm for “Krymnash” 83% of Russians supported the Russian government. But in August the number of support began to decrease; I am sure that the fall will continue. From the outset, social scientists have warned that we have seen some changes in the psyche. They believe that people who talk about the support of the authorities, in fact, do not think so. People are afraid – if you do not support the aggression, you are already the fifth column, and not everyone wants to be credited to it, especially in small towns.

So we have reason to believe that we have much more. Today it is clear that our army of volunteers under the guise of fighting in Ukraine. People who are against it, today more and more. How many of them – I can not say. But I am sure that we are not 17%.

– How are subjected to harassment Russians supporting Ukraine?

– All we selectively, but, nevertheless, there is persecution. People detained for pickets, pickets though we are allowed. People who once were in the Internet, also persecuted. They block access, citing the fact that such statements are dangerous to the integrity of Russia. And it is very difficult to achieve, what kind of information should be removed.

– You said the jump Vladimir Putin’s rating in Russia. He was associated exclusively with “Krymnash”?

– Yes. For me it was a bitter discovery – I had hoped that after the Soviet Union much more of our citizens have got rid of the imperial syndrome.

Now, when our army began to take part in military actions in Ukraine, even if veiled, pickets – the only ones that do not need approval from the authorities, – take place every day. Some were taken away – others become. These pickets have been going on all week.

I remember when in 1968 Soviet tanks rolled into Czechoslovakia, then the demonstration came to 8 people. And now no one notices, when dozens of people, no one organized, nobody recruits – just at the call of their own hearts – and go out on the picket against the war. Moreover, the young are more likely than older, that makes me very happy.

– Can the “imperial syndrome” Russians realized in relation to other countries?

– Imperial syndrome – a dangerous thing. But I think (I hope) that the enthusiasm for the Crimea will be lonely, because people will begin to understand what price we pay for it – isolation of our country, hostility towards our country from its neighbors – countries with which we have for many years been one state and considered them their compatriots.

I hope that this lesson will be the Crimea bitter lesson, it would deal a blow to the imperial syndrome, many of my fellow citizens.

– Looming whether today the Russian intelligentsia political emigration?

– Of course. The general mood is that those who can and want to leave, leave. Those wishing to leave a lot – even in the polls. I believe, largely because of the political situation. But now much harder to get a job in Europe and in America. Therefore, only the securities professionals can rely on the fact that they are easy to find a job. And this, of course, holds the people.

– And how do you personally feel about the idea of ​​political emigration?

– Well, I tutoshny, not going anywhere. I want to live here, at home, in all conditions.

– How the Russians belong to the project “New Russia”?

– As it turned out, a television in the life – a great power. I do not know how it works, because I just do not turn on the TV. Not because I’m afraid that I will turn to their faith and gentlemen Kiselyovs solvevy. Of course not. I once turned on just to see what they do there. Me 10 minutes is not good, it was disgusting. So I do not expose myself to this aesthetic challenge.

But most Russians receives information from the TV. Sometimes I even know how to talk and make logical conclusions people somehow give in and something to believe in. But those who watch television, they say that such propaganda Sabbath was not even in Soviet times.

– What sources of information do you choose?

– Firstly, the Internet, and secondly, the independent media – they are few, but they exist. Channel “Rain”, “Echo of Moscow”, “Novaya Gazeta”, “Novye Izvestia”, the magazine “The New Times”.

– We may be few in Ukraine go too far, but we often compare Putin to Hitler. Is it correctly, in your opinion?

– Let’s start with the fact that Hitler was a consummate demagogue, who was fascinated with his speeches. We have not, thank God. Therefore, such a comparison – it is an overlap. But we have only to someone or compare Putin – with Hitler and Stalin, and with whoever you want. But, in my opinion, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin – a separate phenomenon in our modern times, deserves to pay careful attention to what he himself has potency and weaknesses.

– He’s already an old man. How much it will last?

– God forbid anyone of his age have so much energy and health.

– We in Ukraine are often asked when Russia will rise?

– I’m not a political scientist, not a politician and not a clairvoyant. We have a very large supply of patience, but we are always climb so unexpected for us, not only to others, I do not presume to predict it. So it was in 1917, so it was in 1991. I do not know.

God forbid you stand. I am very worried … You can not do this to people who – almost by ourselves. Whom you ask – someone in the family there is Ukrainians, someone – friends who lived there … Well, how can you ?! It’s horrible. Excuse us, please.

Sourse, 05/09/2014