11 June 2004 17:02
Russian Communist leader slams government in radio interview
The leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Gennadiy Zyuganov, in an interview with Ekho Moskvy
radio on 11 June, criticized the draft Housing Code of the Russian Federation adopted by the State Duma at first
reading.
"A package of bills have been submitted to the State Duma which, in fact, makes the poor still poorer, leaving
them without the state's support and a chance to receive housing, while the rich will have all opportunities to
become richer," Zyuganov said.
"As soon as people realize what is going on, they will never forgive the authorities their outrageous
deeds," he added.
Zyuganov spoke in favour of affordable housing and mortgages that the state should make available for people.
He went on to say that the social and economic policy pursued by the government stands in the way of solving these
problems. This policy makes Russia a source of mineral resources supply for Uncle Sam, he added.
Zyuganov offered two ways to resolve Russia's problems. First, a new economic strategy should be adopted. It is
necessary that mineral resources serve the needs of the domestic economy and prices on energy sources and transport be
regulated, he said.
Second, 15-20 tycoon clans cannot own all the assets in the country. The state must control the energy and transport
sectors, pipelines, the military industry and fundamental science.
Speaking about the State Duma, Zyuganov said that there are no normal conditions for discussion in the parliament.
"It has become a police station," he added.
"What we have now, is a bandit and criminal state where no-one is protected," he went on to say.
Zyuganov also criticized the government's bill to replace concessions for veterans and disabled people with
benefit payments. He called on the listeners to take part in rallies to be staged on 2 July to protest against the bill.
The benefit payments will depreciate in a year or two, he said.
A referendum on these issues should be held in Russia, while the State Duma is trying to push through bills to ban
referendums. "We will hold a referendum on these key problems, anyway," Zyuganov added.
When asked about the situation in the Communist party, he said that rank-and-file party members support its
leadership.
"Our state is the state of racketeers and the main racketeer is Putin. It is not a government that we have, it
is a team of receivers in bankruptcy who have begun ruining the country," Zyuganov concluded by saying.
[Ekho Moskvy radio] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
