Mikhail Friedman about Nemtsov: "I have not met so many people who are close to me in my life"

In 2016, the project “Five Friends of Nemtsov” came out on our site - fragments of interviews that journalist Mikhail Fishman took from friends and colleagues Boris Nemtsov for filming the documentary “too free person”. By the third anniversary of the death of Nemtsov, we publish an interview with a businessman, the creator of Alfa Group Mikhail Friedman from that selection of articles.

Since the fall of 1991, Boris Nemtsov has been working as the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region. Regional industrial enterprises are in a difficult financial situation, Russia passes through a crisis of non -payments. By November 1994, the Norsi oil refining plant (in the past Gorknefteorgsintez) was partially privatized during check auctions) belongs to the largest debtors of the country.

We met a year in 1993-1994, and, as they say, not for the most pleasant occasion. During the privatization, our Alfa-Capital check fund acquired several packages of the shares of companies that were in the Nizhny Novgorod region. And unexpectedly, certain difficulties arose with this process: the leadership of the region did not like that Alfa Capital is actively involved in check auctions and receives significant packages. Because the leadership of the region had some other plans-either to sell these packages to some strategic investors, or something else. It seemed somewhat strange, because Nemtsov, at that time of the governor, still had a reputation as a liberal, a market for the rules, norms, and healthy approaches to privatization and generally to business in the region. But for some reason he did not like our participation: either the directors of these plants were broadcast to him about us, or something else. And then in society it was widespread that these are speculators, buying assets for nothing. Probably Nemtsov reacted to this too. In general, some obstacles arose from the outside, relatively speaking, representatives of the administration in the exercise of our rights as shareholders.

Among the others, there was an important object - an oil refinery in the city, if I am not mistaken, Kstovo, which was then called Norshi. We supplied oil for processing there, there was an idea to create a financial and industrial group, and on all these issues we needed support or at least non-resistance from the administration. Before that, we may have seen each other with Nemtsov at social events, but no more. And then we phoned-it seems that Peter [Aven] asked for a meeting, and he appointed us for some time in the morning, I don’t remember, well, at 11 in the morning. And we flew to him with Peter Aven and Herman Khan. It was either late autumn or winter: snow, terribly bad weather. We had to fly on an airplane, but the plane lingered due to absurd weather: in those days, planes were more sensitive to the weather.

What do you not understand? I told you: to steal anything. 500 million dollars per barrel and all, goodbye. Take the plant.

We were terribly nervous because we are very disciplined, organized and punctual people: after all, the governor made a meeting for us, we fly to this Nizhny Novgorod. Unpleasant situation. We called the reception room, explained everything: here, objective circumstances. But they were still late - not so much, an hour, probably for one and a half. They got on cars, rushed to the Kremlin this Nizhny Novgorod. Well, of course, he already has another meeting. As usual, journalists-he loved this business-and some huge group of people. His voice is heard from behind the doors, such a loud, and the three of us sit in the reception room-in nervous tension. I see, we are waiting. It is clear that they themselves are to blame that they were late. And somewhere else they say: the governor is ready to accept you.

The governor of Nizhny Novgorod Boris Nemtsov at a meeting with American governors. Yuri Somov / RIA Novosti

But I must say that Norsi at that time was in a deplorable financial condition: the supply system of raw oil to the oil refinery broke up, and the new consolidated vertical company has not yet been formed; As always, the conjuncture fluctuated- in general, Norsi had serious problems, a semi- or a pre-bankrupt state. Well, then we finally enter the office with a guilty look. For a long time, Borya did not accept our apologies and immediately got down to business. I started in approximately in this way: “So, what have you come? What do you want to steal a factory from me? " Only in even more free form. “So, to steal nothing. Five hundred million dollars, and you can take this plant to the damn mother. Clear? Are there any more questions? " This, so to speak, instead of "hello." We are: "Well, you are there somehow, Boris Efimovich, you know, so to speak, there is that." Such a timid babble ... He: “What do you not understand? I told you: to steal anything. Five hundred million dollars on a barrel, and all, goodbye. Take the plant. So, I have no time. The reception is over. "

I was in shock. I understood everything about how life was arranged in our country, but Bori Nemtsov had a screen image of such a romantic, educated, bright, intelligent person, a physicist again, right? And the tirade that he issued - in the best traditions of Soviet management - she, of course, made a strong impression on me. Not the best. I was unpleasantly amazed. I didn’t even go about the rest of the conversation; And after this conversation, we had difficulties with joint-stock rights at some enterprises of the Nizhny Novgorod region, I was no longer very surprising. I already understood that this was normal. So we met.

Literally after a couple of months - after a maximum of six - we wanted to return to this conversation again: either about Norsi, or about other enterprises, I no longer remember. We had a lot of investments there: both the Borsky glass factory, and the Nizhny Novgorod oil and fat plant. In general, there were many different topics for communication with the leadership of the region. I was in friendly relations with Yulik Gusman (and now, too, although we do not often see each other). And his house of cinema was at that time a nursery of democratic liberties, and I saw in the schedule of performances some kind of lecture, or a meeting of Nemtsov with a democratic public. This is probably already 1995. And I say to Gusman: "Listen, do you know Nemtsov well?" He says: “Yes, I know him perfectly. A wonderful guy, such a man is cool, absolutely correct, honest, decent. ” I say: "Listen, we have some endless difficulties with him, can you talk to him?" - “What can I say? Come on. He will perform, and after the performance, I will bring him to the office and say that you are helping the “Nika” bonus. ” And we somehow helped them then. I say: "Well, of course, I’ll drive up."

Nizhny Novgorod region. Kstovo. OJSC "LUKOIL-Nizhny Novgorodnefteorgsintez" (Norshi). In the 90s he experienced great difficulties with the supply of raw materials. Sergey Petrov / TASS

I drive up. Boris Efimovich acts, a flurry of applause: he caused great love among the audience - he always kept free, spoke well, brightly. A nice guy, young then, beautiful, charming. Especially, of course, women reacted positively. Although the men were also fascinated, so to speak. The performance ends, Boris Efimovich enters the Husman office. The Hussman says: "Here, the struggle, the boron, meet it, this is Misha." He says: "Well, we are already familiar." And twisted such a physiognomy unhappy: like, what is it, the piano in the bushes? Then I understand him. And again: "Yes, I know him, these are they, speculators ...". And approximately the previous scene is repeated, however, without this: "Dry to the damn mother." But also in half -pushed tones.

I don’t know who tuned him against us. There, in the lower one, his own local life, and, of course, he talked there with the directors, and the red directors about Muscovites said that they did nothing-they are seizing enterprises, buying up shares, and this was considered almost a crime, at any case, something unseemly. It was difficult to explain that buying shares are the legal right of financial resources. In general, again we talked badly, although more dead than the first time. Not a very trusting conversation came out. That's all. And then we already began to see him.

In March 1997, Boris Nemtsov received the post of Deputy Prime Minister in the office of Viktor Chernomyrdin and moves from Nizhny Novgorod to Moscow.

It was in early 1997, just a week before his appointment to the post of Deputy Prime Minister. For some reason, my colleague German Khan and I flew to Nizhny Novgorod-again something around Norshi and oil refining. Our relationship was already humanly even friendly: in the style of communication, the Nemts were very democratic, and by age and mentality we were close enough.

And so we arrived; And the idea that it can be appointed to the government was already actively barracking in space was discussed as a version. He was young, promising, Yeltsin clearly favored him very well, looked very good against the general background - a handsome, tall, strong man, and again democratic liberal beliefs. In general, there was a steady rumor that they were going to call him to help Chubais, who was then the head of the administration. And it was clear that the situation in the government is not the best.

We sat, discussed things (we are far from politics, as the organization did not invade it actively), and in the end, so to speak, in the “Miscellaneous” section, I ask him: “Is it true that you are going to?” And he says no, these are all rumors, etc. I say: “You know, of course, you know better, but it does not seem to me that this is an interesting idea - it’s not the first person to go to Moscow. Because you (probably, we were still on “you”, I don’t remember) the popular governor, and this, it seems to me, is a very risky step. ” It’s one thing to be the first in the provinces, the other is the second in Rome, right? A well -known conflict.

Spring 1997. President Boris Yeltsin and First Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov. Reuters

He listens to all this and says: “Yes, I completely agree, these are all rumors, I’m not going to Moscow at all, I understand perfectly well that I have my own platform here. I am an independent person, the chosen governor, I have great support, I spend reforms. I have great opportunities to demonstrate results and potential here. ” He told me all this very confidently. And all - we gathered and flew away.

Well, you understand, Tanya arrived [Dyachenko]. She came to my office. Has burst into tears. I began to say that dad is very difficult ...

I flew to Moscow, in Moscow, conversations, who would be appointed where, what permits. I say: “Nemtsov will not be appointed for sure. One hundred percent. He was quite clearly, clearly expressed me why it is unreasonable and that he would not go. ” Three days pass. And the famous scene on TV: Boris Nikolaevich, Anatoly Borisovich and Nemtsov; Boris Nikolaevich says: “Here, I decided to appoint you the first deputy head, which means that the government and the second, first ... Nemtsov Boris Efimovich.” Chubais: "This is a strong solution, great." Pause, 32 tacts. Complete dejavu. Strange. Just three days ago, he so confidently explained to me that he would definitely not go.

Then, when he was appointed, he arrived, we met with him. Then we just began to communicate more closely, already in Moscow. I came to him at the cottage in Arkhangelskoye. He just moved, and the cottage was still non -residential, the wife had not arrived yet, it was empty in the refrigerator.

I remember that there was a large bottle of tequila, donated to him by some delegation, which we, as they say, were capitalized. And I say: “Borya, explain to me how it happened? What was the idea? You yourself told me with such heat that this is an absolutely meaningless act. ” And this, of course, was all Borya. He says to me: “Well, you understand, Tanya came [Dyachenko]. She came to my office. Has burst into tears. I began to say that dad is very difficult, that dad needs help, that he feels bad that he could not cope without reliance on reliable and decent people. And what could I do? I could not refuse her. I felt so sorry for her. "

And now I think that you can look at this story from different angles. He had the potential of political growth, a large career. And, judging by our previous conversation, he understood well what risked. But these human moments have always won it. For a politician, this is probably wrong. And for a person, especially for a friend, this is wonderful.

After the elections to the Duma in December 2003, the parliamentary political career of Nemtsov ends. He is trying to engage in business, becomes the chairman of the board of directors at the Neftyanaya bank.

He was not a conjunker - he did what he considered the right one. I was probably one of his closest friends. And I perfectly understood that to build a relationship in business with him absolutely hopelessly, because he would definitely continue his political line. We then talked a lot and very often. And I told him frankly: “Bust, look, you will certainly be engaged in politics. I know you, you can’t keep silent. You will definitely express your point of view. It doesn’t matter if you agree with me or do not agree, I am not entitled to influence your estimates, but this will definitely damage my work. I can't afford it. We must look in the eyes in the eyes. " I always do this and think that this is right. Borya always reacted well and honestly. He understood that it was. I did not believe that he could change himself. It was predetermined that he would go to the Maidan, that he would give the most severe comments. It was clear initially, and he could not change himself. It would no longer be Borya. As Napoleon said: if I knew how to conclude a truce, then it would not be me, but my grandson. This is about Nemtsov. He was not a flexible person in this regard. And I openly told him that in business I can hardly be useful to him. And he did not even have a shadow of resentment.

December 2003, election headquarters of the ATP. There is a calculation of votes in the elections to the State Duma. Alexey Kudenko / Kommersant

- He tried to do business after working in the Duma?

These attempts ended sadly. I don’t know what was the root cause, but I think that the fact that Nemtsov actively participated in this business also influenced the fact that this business began serious problems. Although there were many flaws in the business itself, of course. But I am sure that Nemtsov was an aggravating factor.

About 2005, I have been extremely rare with him. Quite consciously. And it hurts me very much - both emotionally and morally. I will reproach myself, although I did it completely openly. I clearly understood that if I continue to communicate with him in the same mode after he already got into a clear and tough opposition to power, I can no longer convince anyone that I did not lead a political game, I do not support him financially - no matter how much I swear to any holy book, that I just friends with him, I like to go to the restaurant with him, I am interesting and fun, so further, and so on. No one would never have believed it, and everyone would think that I was standing behind his political position, which was completely inconsistent with reality. From politics, I try to stay away. And if you speak frankly, far from everything that he said, I agreed - or rather, mostly just the same was and did not agree. Well, this is already my personal matter, but I understood that my communication was becoming with him, I would say, toxic to my business, for my partners, colleagues, and employees. I could not take such a risk. And this, unfortunately, led to the fact that with the person whom I considered and consider smart, decent, honest, interesting and my friend, I was forced to spend less time than I could, not understanding, not assuming that so little time was released in life. And I am very bitterly sorry that this happened. From a rational point of view, this was the right act; In me, unlike Bori, rational considerations prevail over emotions, but I will regret it until the end of my life. I have not met people who are close to me in my life.