In uniform

It's a shame ...

June 24, 2008 Matvey Ganapolsky

When, together with the guests of the Echo of Moscow, we reflect on the first steps of Dmitry Medvedev, then, of course, we judge them by the first laws, decrees and decisions.

Of course, Putin can also be fastened here, but you should not do this. Especially in issues of foreign policy.

If, according to the Constitution, the president determines foreign policy, then with Medvedev and demand. I would not want to humiliate him with suspicions that he was forced to make some kind of foreign policy decision.

And I would really like to discuss something.

So, we sat with Pozner in the "special opinion." And I suggested that he speak out about the decision of Russia to cancel the visas for Latvian and Estonian non -citizens, which will be allowed to enter the country according to the documents that they already have. And this is a passport of a non -citizen Latvia and a foreigner’s passport in Estonia.

Here is a fragment of discussion of this topic with Pozner:

M. Ganapolsky : This is what the listener Sergei Vadimovich writes to you: “Dear gentlemen, this decree on the free entry into Russia of the non -citizens of Latvia and Estonia is a great meanness in relation to Russian citizens who cannot go anywhere and should receive passports in lines and with red tape and a period of only 5 years. And why did Mr. Medvedev not make sure that we go without a visa to the EU? ”

V. POSNER : He says nonsense, this is your gentleman. How can Medvedev ensure that any Russian citizen can go to the EU countries? He cannot do this. Let's not confuse. These people can go to the EU countries, since the country in which they live is an EU member. This has nothing to do with Medvedev. But he made it so that they can now go to Russia. And what?

M.G .: He is offended that they can ride without taking Russian citizenship ...

V.P .: He is insulting that he cannot go to Western Europe. That's what he is offended, and I understand him. It is necessary to somehow achieve such a position when there will be a visa-free entry into Russia for all Europeans. And the visa -free entry of Russian citizens to Europe. That would be wonderful.

M.G .: But he is offended that there are people who live in Latvia and Estonia, and they did not take Russian citizenship. And maybe one of them sits and says: Russia, but I wanted to spit on it. Suddenly the door opens and from there our new president says: guy, you did not take Russian citizenship, but Welcome to Russia. Go there and here. That's a shame for him.

V.P .: So what? I do not share his resentment. I think this is a good gesture. And what these non -citizens say about Russia, I do not know. If they speak badly, they will not come to Russia. Why not. I believe that it is necessary to show maximum openness. If I were still, God forbid, Medvedev, I would say, in general, Russia cancels the visa regime for all EU countries. Come.

That's how Vladimir Pozner said.

And I understand him. This point of view is possible.

But there is another, mine.

I believe that Russia makes a mistake, and this mistake is very serious.

We know that the most unpleasant is both in the household and in the political sense - this is when there is an infringed minority.

Let us recall Serbia: at first there was an Albanian-Kosovsky minority, which was displeased by the Serbian majority, and, under pressure from the West, Kosovars made their state.

And what is the result? Now they have their own minority there, already Serbian.

This is a very old political axiom - any separatism breeds minorities, because people live not along the borders, but as it turns out. And everyone is mixed. And inside any country there must be an enclave of some ethnic minority. And if this minority achieves independence, then it immediately receives as a gift to several minorities at once, which are no longer representatives of the title majority within the old borders.

But the Russian decision that we are talking about is even more bizarre.

At first, all the non -citizens of Latvia and Estonia were, in the sense of movement, a minority. Two years ago, they allowed a visa -free movement throughout the territory of the entire European Union, but they entered Russia on a common basis.

But now they really turn out to be a special caste. Now they, not being citizens of any country, have become citizens of the world.

I am very happy for them and even understand that such a decision of Russia is a kind of demarche. Indeed, Lithuania somehow solved this issue, but Latvia and Estonia, well, no way.

But it turned out that those who tried, taught the local language, passed bureaucratic obstacles and, nevertheless, won-became a citizen, it was they who lost. Because they do not have what a neighbor has that who did nothing, but received much more just as a gift.

It is very Russian-to be emelles, but to get everything without getting off the furnace.

I must say right away, I am not against gifts, especially from the state. Moreover, I consider the policy of Latvia and Estonia, which established the status of non -citizens and do not want to cancel it, I consider it wrong.

But it turned out that if earlier the Russian -speaking acted one front, now Russia, it was Russia, sowed among them a grudge. And I read in blogs this:

Min_alika. I am a citizen of Latvia. And Russian by nationality. I have a dad of the Russian Old Believers who have been living in Latvia since the 16th century, and my mother is generally from Bryansk. I work in the Russian newspaper, I study (by the way, for money) in Russia. I am bloodily connected with my, so to speak, ethnic homeland. And this homeland offended me. Why am I worse than a Russian non -citizen? Are they very infringed? What? Can't vote in the elections? I vote every time for Russian parties, but to the sense ??? I also cannot become an official only because I am Russian. And now, in addition, I feel the "wrong" Russian for the state of Russia - I, after all ... a citizen of the state in which I was born. Although I was born in the USSR. There are more correct Russians - non -citizens ...
On the other hand, there is a house in this situation. And I can have fun ... Negradians can now go to the EU without visas, and to Russia. I will be happy for them! In general, people, let's pour everything to Latvian non -citizens - almost all borders will be open to you.
And I will buy a visa to come to the training session. And in order to visit relatives to come, I will also get a visa. As I recall the epic with invitations (it is very dreary to deliver them to Latvia from Russia) - I will start up. Well, the Russian state of Latvian citizens of even Russian origin does not like. In general - a stranger for Latvians, a stranger for Russians ... Eh .... I will go to London to a girlfriend. They don't care.

It seems to me that in this case, one of the first foreign policy decisions of the new president turned out to be far from impeccable.

It's a shame ...