17 June 2004 20:51
Russian Communist Party dissenter urges leader to step down
[Presenter] A new attack on the leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation [CPRF] was mounted by
representatives of the Communist Party's opposition wing today. Secretary of the Central Committee Sergey Potapov
declared openly that Gennadiy Zyuganov was not a leader with whom the party could win elections.
[Potapov, speaking at Interfax news conference] I believe Zyuganov has fully outlived his term as leader. He is the
main cause of the CPRF's serious defeat. He and his entourage are mainly responsible for what they are up to now,
attempting to split the party. And for me it is a fact that he and his associates have been caught maintaining links
with oligarchs and the Kremlin. They are now trying to place the blame elsewhere, accusing others of all possible and
impossible sins. The main conclusion for me today is that Zyuganov is very much needed by the Kremlin as he is a weak
rival and it is easier to compete against such a rival. To my way of thinking, a person like this cannot remain head of
the CPRF.
[Presenter] Moreover, Potapov said the opposition in the CPRF has decided on a new leader. He should make himself
known early next week, the CPRF Central Committee secretary said. At the same time, only yesterday Gennadiy Zyuganov
himself made it clear that he was certain of the full support of delegates of the Communist Party congress for his
candidacy. Let me recall that the congress is scheduled for 3 July.
[NTV Mir] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
