Vladimir Putin yesterday was listening to public comments on the Government's anti-crisis programme. The meeting had the format of a conversation with the representatives of non-governmental organisations. Also present were the speakers of the two houses of Parliament and leaders of the opposition CPRF and LDPR. The part that was open to the press did not see any impressive anti-crisis initiatives. Academician Velikhov praised the Government and suggested timidly that it should emulate the best of America's experience.
The guests were seated at a round table in the smaller of the Government conference rooms. Vladimir Putin was an hour late. Going round the table, he gave every one present a strong friendly handshake.
He then announced the aim of the event: "During the past week the anti-crisis programme has been discussed by political parties, trade union organisations and business associations. It was useful in itself. For me this meeting is doubly important because I am due to present the anti-crisis plan to the State Duma next week. I would like to hear your advice and proposals and opinions about this programme". "Let me say from the start that any reasonable and feasible proposals will be taken into account regardless of whether they come from the right, left or centrist forces", the Prime Minister said casting friendly looks at Messrs Zyuganov and Zhirinovsky. "We cannot pretend that nothing is happening. At the same time we see no reason for renouncing the strategic development plans spelled out in the development programme to the year 2020. The country will emerge from the crisis stronger than before", the Prime Minister said in a tone that brooked no opposition. He stressed that the country can survive and develop only by using new technologies and saving energy: "The crisis should make business pay more attention to this, and the Government will support it."
Another important part of the plan, Mr Putin said, is the development of the human capital and fulfilment of social obligations: "That is why we have not cut any national projects and will focus on people's quality of life". "When I speak about support for innovation, I proceed from very concrete figures", the Prime Minister said, going back to the topic of putting the economy on the innovation track. "We have not cut the energy, space, shipbuilding and aircraft-building programmes. We have preserved practically all the funding. We will continue to develop the infrastructure," the Prime Minister elaborated, noting that he would like the discussion to continue in a constructive and concrete manner.
Constructive initiatives on behalf of the public were presented by Yevgeny Velikhov, Secretary of the Public Chamber. The academician sounded as if he wanted to cover all the aspects of life in his report. Running like a golden thread through his speech was a blanket approval of the Government's initiatives. "It is great that the Government does not leave people alone to face the crisis", Mr Velikhov began. Inexplicably, he switched attention to the US. He tried to explain to the Prime Minister the differences between the Russian and American anti-crisis plans citing the problem that was closest to him. "The US has set the goal of emerging from the crisis as the leading country, that is why it allocated $20 billion for the development of science. Of course we cannot match that," Mr Velikhov sounded despondent. But he had a plan to offer Mr Putin on how to solve the problem of science. The answer was handy and anything but new: if the Government cannot assume the responsibility, major Russian companies should invest in research and development programmes.
Mr Velikhov permitted himself a small dose of criticism without, however, being too specific: "We hope that the Government's financial policy will be changed," he said and quickly passed on to more innocuous and less controversial matters. "We should elevate the status of the cultured person", the head of the Public Chamber said dreamily. Everybody knew whom he had in mind. Mr Zyuganov, who was listening attentively, nodded with approval. Meanwhile Mr Velikhov again turned to the American experience: "In the US they invest huge amounts in bioenergy... We could produce liquid fuel... A visit to a bath house in a rural community costs 1,000 roubles. The cost could be reduced if autonomous power systems were installed".
The Prime Minister's reaction to Mr Velikhov's suggestions was one of bemusement. From the expression on his face it was clear that he could glean no constructive elements from Mr Velikhov's proposals. "You have said many important things, some of which are specific and some are general", Mr Putin summed up. There were only two things in Mr Velikhov's speech that the Prime Minister had liked: his plea for consolidating society in the face of the crisis and for combating inflation. Thereafter the guests continued their conversation with the Prime Minister behind closed doors.
By Elina Bilevskaya