It seems the paternalistic Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FNPR) and its silent partner (the Communist Party) have made a deal that, as a result of pressure from the rank and file against the dominance of the Communists the FNPR will nominally lead the 7 October Day of Action. No promises here, folks. The FNPR leadership is as careerist and as cynical as the Communists. In other news, the proto-Fascist mayor of Moscow (who, before the 850th anniversary of the city last summer had all the homeless and other 'unsightly' elements, including some refugees from the Caucasus and dogs *removed* (this meant that the homeless were driven out 200(?) km away from the city, the Caucasians were sent to their now non-existent homes/villages/towns while dogs were simply shot)) promises to run for the position of President in 2000 on a Labour platform. I hope "Stranger Things Have Happened". Greg. ****** COMMUNISTS, TRADE UNIONS FORM ALLIANCE? "Nezavisimaya gazeta" reported on 29 September that top Communist Party officials finally agreed to cede leadership of the national day of protest on 7 October to the Federation of Independent Trade Unions. The Communists also agreed to follow the union's wishes on a number of other issues, including support for a law raising the official minimum wage. The newspaper concluded that only time will tell whether Russia has witnessed the formation of a "mighty new opposition alliance." "Nezavisimaya gazeta" receives financial backing from Boris Berezovskii's LogoVAZ group. On 30 September, Communist Party activists, members of some trade unions, as well as scientists and teachers are planning to hold a protest action and block several major highways to Moscow for one hour beginning at mid-day, local time. The protesters are demanding the resignation of President Boris Yeltsin. LUZHKOV TO RUN AS NEW LABOUR CANDIDATE? In an interview with Reuters on 29 September, Moscow Mayor Luzhkov hinted that he might run for president in Russia's elections in 2000. He said, "If I see that the only [candidates] with a change of getting elected are those who are not capable of leading the country sensibly and correctly, then I will enter the race." Currently on a trip to England, Luzhkov also said that he found the philosophy of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's New Labour party appealing. He said, "It's organizing the economy on market principles--it's capitalism but with a very serious system of social support for the people. The Moscow city government is following these principles, perhaps in a rather primitive way. Our slogan is: working like capitalists, sharing like socialists." The following day, ITAR-TASS cited members of Luzkhov's delegation in England as saying that media reports that Luzhkov will run for president are "premature." -- Gregory Schwartz Department of Political Science York University 4700 Keele St. Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3 Canada Tel: (416) 736-5265 Fax: (416) 736-5686 Web: http://www.yorku.ca/dept/polisci
