A Komsomolskaya Pravda correspondent drank a glass of champagne with the prime minister and asked him a number of difficult questions.
Yesterday Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with the journalists in his press pool as per tradition before the New Year. Availing myself of this opportunity, I decided to ask him some difficult questions – about the relations between the government and the opposition. Putin responded sincerely and never had to search for words.
"Mr Putin, you are not afraid of anything, are you? May I ask you a question? You sent your friend Kudrin to the rally...
"Kudrin again... I didn't send him anywhere. He went on his own, he's a big boy."
"And what about you? Would you start a dialogue with the opposition?
"We have always maintained a dialogue with the opposition. Sometimes, when I see what's happening or when my acquaintances or relatives say something about their interactions with the officials, I myself want to...Do you remember how..."
"Go to a rally?"
"Do you remember how the wonderful character, General Charnota, speaks to the millionaire in 'The Run'?"
"I know you like the character."
"Yes, very much so – I love both the actor and this character. (Mikhail Ulyanov was Charnota in the movie). He said: 'Sorry, but I would join the Reds, finish you off and then quit immediately.'
(The exact quote from Mikhail Bulgakov: "Well, Paramon, I'm a sinful man; I would deliberately join the Bolsheviks with only one purpose in mind: to shoot you. I would shoot you and then quit immediately." – A.G.)
"We have never been against having a dialogue with the opposition. We are against only one thing (I'm personally against it) – any manifestation of extremism, any whatsoever! Any sign of extremism must be cut off, whereas dialogue is necessary; it is essential for any progress..."
"How would you conduct it?"
"Well, I don't know – there are many ways. There is the Public Chamber, consultations... a lot of options."
"Can we prompt you?"
"Look, I don't even know..."
"What do you think about Navalny?" (A question by a female journalist from the prime minister's pool – A.G.)
"There are many leaders out there."
"He is one of the leaders." (This and other questions were from the Komsomolskaya Pravda's correspondent – A.G.)
"Thank God. There are many leaders, and he is one of them. We'll see. They must formulate some common platform and common position that could make clear what people want."
"Why don't we call them to join us?"
"They are all very different. Have you looked at them?"
"Yes."
"Many of them represent Yabloko and the Communist Party; there are some representatives of the nationalist and liberal movements. But what about a common platform? They don't have one. Whom should we talk to? Apparently, we will have to discuss grievances and problems with each of them. But this would require a thorough analysis."
"Would you take part in a debate with your opponents or presidential candidates?"
"I don't know."
"You're not afraid of them, are you?"
"It is not a matter of being afraid. Fear has nothing to do with it. The point is that the opposition is not accomplishing anything. They always demand the impossible and then, typically, nothing is done, but this comes later. So, there should be a dialogue but I'll have to think about what form it should take."
"Dmitry Peskov (Putin's press secretary) said we would see Putin 2.0. So what do you think of Putin 2.0 (during the presidential campaign)? What do you think of him, that is, of yourself?"
"Can you be version two, or version three?"
"No."
"No. This is true of everyone."
We are offered glasses with champagne. Putin takes one from the tray. The journalists are waiting...
"Should I drink alone?" The Komsomolskaya Pravda correspondent also takes a glass.
"Peskov says..."
"But everyone can grow and must meet the demands of today and tomorrow. By the way, I just met with the Turkish delegation...
At this point one glass drops from the tray, spilling champagne on the floor.
"This is for luck," Putin smiles.
"Instead of inventing all these secondary questions, why don't you focus on what is happening now? Turkey has given us permission to build South Stream! Do you realise what an event this is in Europe's energy mix? "
"Of course."
"Cheers!"
"Cheers... Happy New Year!"
* * *
What else the prime minister said:
"A fair election is the best gift"
"Will you take a holiday during the election campaign?" a journalist asked Putin.
"There's no law that says I have to go on holiday. I think I simply won't have time for that," Putin explained.
"Mr Putin, is there any chance of your becoming the acting president until March?"
"We have not discussed this, but if this is a recommendation, we'll consider it," Putin said with a smile.
"Mr Putin, what present or surprise would you put under the holiday tree for the whole country?"
"A present? A fair presidential election in 2012," the prime minister replied.
By Alexander Gamov
