THE EDITOR, Sir:
I HAVE paid attention to the articles published in your newspaper on recent parliamentary elections in Russia, which expressed concern about the democratic reforms in the Russian Federation. I am not going to dispute about different assessments made in these articles. For example, G. Dyer (The Gleaner, 6/12/03), simply speaking, doesn't want to recognise the fact that the majority of Russians support President V.V. Putin not because they are "fooled", but because he does something very right. His policies aim at economic growth and political stability, and that is why he enjoys the vast popular support.
On the whole I do interpret that these articles as a sign of what is going on in Russia is not indifferent to your readers. Of course, the results of these elections will be a subject of further analysis, but the most important thing is the fact that they reflected the real sympathies of the population, the realities of our political life. The voter's turnout could be higher, but taken as a whole, it is equal to the turnout situation in many other countries.
On the ballot there were 23 different political parties, but only four of them got enough votes to get elected to the Parliament. I would like to bring to your attention the fact that the outcome of the elections, which were opened at the premises of our Embassy in Kingston for the Russian citizens residing in Jamaica, was similar to the overall results in Russia. The voters here and in Russia had an open choice and they took it!
We do consider that the main conclusion of the elections is a further step towards strengthening democracy in my country. The population of Russia made its historic choice to follow the way of democratic development 12 years ago and is determined to continue its efforts in this direction. The political changes started at the same time and there is still a lot to be done. The President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin understands very well this enormous task and intends to carry it out consistently.
We welcome different views on what is going on in our country, especially those who bear constructive approach, because truth comes up only as a result of discussions. The example of today's Russian mass media and public opinion is an obvious proof of it.
I am, etc.,
EDWARD MALAYAN
Ambassador of the
Russian Federation
to Jamaica
