RUSSIA.RU

Russia.ru is one of the major propaganda sites in Russia. Putin speeches, interviews with pro-Kremlin stars and films like War 08.08.08. They interviewed me too, strangely enough after what i said at the press conference after the War 08.08.08 film, but later cut all the important bits out (of course) The beauty of editing!

Crisis hitting Russia

These are some of my personal observations of the economic crisis hitting Russia. Prices are going up. As you shop for groceries you can see staff replacing price tags. Salaries are being cut. Even among my friends, some were laid off and others had their salaries go down by 50 %. There are a lot of beggars around and people selling various things on the streets, from dry mushrooms to fluffy sleepers, in freezing cold temperatures.

ANNA POLITKOVSKAYA's gravesite

I wish there was a way to spread the heavy load of tough questions to the government about events of N.O and others from 1,2,3 people, who are dealing with it right now, to millions of citizens, all potentially affected by this issue. The level of danger for the lives of those people will go from very high for those 3, to zero for the millions.

AFTER SERVICE

My friend's room at a Moscow hotel ($120/night) after service.

MIND THE GAP AND...LIVE RIGHT. (WTF?!)

In Moscow metro as you slowly drift up or down a long escalator along with a recorded announcement that tells you to report all the drunks and beggars, you hear messages of moral contents. A deep male voice tells you to be kind and tolerant to people, respectful to elders and the environment. He even tells you that love for your country begins with love for your family.

Just as the ‘Metro God’ tells me how to live my life as not to be ashamed of myself, what is happening around is the very opposite of it, rudeness, nationalistic swearing, disregard for those around you and spit on the floor, making it all look like a joke. And perhaps in this theatre of absurd we are someone’s merry entertainment.

Take a polite little bow

Just came back from Tchaikovsky concert hall, (tickets were $100 a piece, a friend paid), where a tastefully dressed, well-spoken and well-mannered intelligentzia crowd expressed their loyalty to Gergiev, the famous conductor. I have no doubt he is a great musician, it is his political ethics that I find inappropriate. 'Crowd of intelligenzia'-how bad is that? I am not suggesting he must be Rostropovich, but to be a loyalist to those in power, because...well, just because, I can't respect that. He and his audience had much mutual respect to be shared, however, and behind this politeness perhaps the passiveness of intelligent elite will not be so obvious.

On the other hand, it is possible that many of those in the theatre are genuine Gergiev fans. But there was also a lot of yawning.

It's frustrating that it takes so long for the documentary about Nashi youth movement to get out on air, as the time is now. I will have more tome now to work on my book. I am very behind on it. Research, more a lot more research; it's nonfiction so accuracy is all.

Those who are...

...free in spirit with values and who truly care, are usually the best people. Not understood by most. They fight and they fall. They are the reason humanity has a chance and the right to exist.

The screening of a new documentary film about Alexander Litvinenko at the Moscow's Sakharov center which I went to was attended by no more than 25 people, and offered no new information about him or his murder. The only fact that was confirmed (and I personally was very interested in) was that on his deathbed Litvinenko did convert to Islam. No doubt Ahmed Zakaeyv was the man who convinced him to do it, assuring him that this way he will become a 'shahid', Muslim warrior who dies on the path of Allah, and will go to paradise. I rest my case on this one.

Ill-fated production translates into something for the actors

Got the news today that Dagestan's president Mr Aliev in order to prevent the director of our production from resurrecting the play, has given an order to build an apartment block to house all the actors that have no proper accommodation. He has also given the theatre a financial grant. Our ill-fated production proved beneficial in a practical way and i am happy that the actors, who are not at all well off, will gain something as significant as a home from this.

Мы боролись за людей, а им это оказалось не надо. Им надо, чтобы их иногда кормили, и все.

Мы боролись за людей а это оказалось им не надо Им надо чтобы их иногда кормили и говорили что-нибудь хорошее, об их величии например.

...

He tells us that there is no glass in a small window of the cell and the temperatures are getting lower. ‘Limitations’ on food, water, bathing and visits. This is how those who refuse to admit to crimes they haven’t committed are treated. The least agreeable are treated the worst. Nothing new or shocking in it I suppose, when you think about how things are done in Russia, but this doesn’t make it any easier. Not for me anyway, when I see someone I care about in such a state.

I awkwardly reach for his hand; he takes it. Against my warm skin his hand is freezing cold. I can’t find the right thing to say or do.
‘It’ll be….’, damn that’s even worse than ‘how are you’.

Attorney gets up.
‘I’ll be back in a few’. Kind man. A. moves closer to me.
‘How is your project going?’
I ignore this question and look right into his eyes. They are still soft and gentle.
Every word gets stuck in my throat. I just keep stroking his hand with my thumb. I know I will have to go soon and I still haven’t said something really important, except I don’t know what it is. And crying is definitely not an option. I also don’t know when I might see him again. My mind tries to race but falls on its numb legs. So, there is silence and it feels natural and more organic then talk.

We hug briefly before I go. As much as we both try to make it warm embrace, it ends up being hurried and clumsy, as we both try to overcome the pain and the fear of the unknown.

....PART 2

I can’t sit so I pace the room, throwing glances at the door. He comes in, in a shirt with New York on it that was in my package to him today.

He briefly touches my cheek with his lips.
‘As soon as I saw this shirt I knew you were here’, he says. I can’t tell if he is excited, or embarrassed or both.
We sit down on a bench while Ivanovich sits at the table. I put my hand on his back. I know I can’t hold him, even though I really want to, since the guard is right behind the door with that deceitful window.

‘Sorry I won’t be able to leave you here alone guys’, says Ivanovich. We nod.

‘How are you’, as I say it I know how stupid the question sounds.
‘Well, I am ok. Well…’
I know it’s not true just looking at him. He lost weight and there are sores on his greyish face. For the first time he tells me what the conditions for them are really like.

NOVEMBER 5TH 2008. STARLITE DINER, MOSCOW

Moscow, November 5th. At 7 am my phone rang and Mom screamed excitedly ‘we won’! Ten minutes later I was braving November morning cold and what seemed like the early stages of pneumonia to get to the Starlite Diner, the place where American Democrats in Russia were meeting for breakfast.

Running into the restaurant I saw everyone’s eyes glued to the screen. I caught the second half of new president’s historic speech. Next few hours were filled with tears, champagne, Wolf Blitzer, scrambled eggs and happiness. On my way home on a Moscow metro I felt like I was in the same carriage as the people around me but we were in completely different worlds. My facial expression, light and cheerful, clashed with the grim faces with eyes in which someone switched off all the light. Asia, Africa, Europe, even China embraced this new world that came to be that morning, but not Russia. Never mind guys. Maybe later. In recognising this you’ll be late (and stiff) like you are in everything else.

When Morgan Freeman played American president in Deep Impact in mid 90s it seemed equally cool and as it did unlikely. I was too young to understand why it felt like that intellectually and it was rather on a sense level, like measuring room temperature. We have now overcome that ‘unlikely’ feeling and the temperature that measures our kindness, intelligence, tolerance, openness has changed. As it turns out we didn’t give ourselves enough credit. It is true that Barack ran for president as an American and not as a black man and won the election because he truly is an outstanding man and not on the grounds of his skin color. However, the fact remains - he is the first African American to be elected to highest office in the country and, still, in all likelihood, in the world. It is the fact we should all be proud of.

NASHI GLAMYRIKI

The most gorgeous and glamorous young people of Moscow. Super trendy, groomed and chick. Super wealthy and super cool. Women in high boots and with long silky hair, men with traces of ‘metro-sexuality’ and aura of immense self-importance. Many local celebs are here too. Recent collagen jobs are evident here and there. I would say they were clones of the Beverly Hills crowd except there is something a little different here. Perhaps it is that they are not exactly clones but replicas. A replica of something that is already fake - is there a word for that?

The Russian fashion week is happening at Gostiny Dvor, minutes away from the Red Square and Kremlin. Designer Antonina Shapovalova, who is a member of Nashi youth movement, has her own slot. Her young, good-looking, trendy comrades are on hand for support. Their very obvious prosperity leads one to believe that there is no way these people might have a care in the world for anything or anyone. Especially not for the future of Russia and its jobless, smelly, teeth-missing poor. It is impossible to see how they might find enough time and desire to actually carry out their own analasys of what’s going on in the country or come to their own independent conclusions. They are patriots while everything they wear, eat, drink and drive is foreign. They don’t drive Ladas or wear Krasnyay Zarya perfume or go on a break to a hut village in Tambov province. And they will never produce a thing for this country, that’s for sure.
The young elite needed a group to belong to and now they do. Of course it had to be a group that would speak the language of the powerful, thus, as it works in Russia, the wealthy. And the language they think the ‘common person’ can understand and trust. The wealth of their families is a result of loyalty or even direct connection to Kremlin, so this is like coming home. And for Kremlin the idea of a unified youth supporting government’s position is always handy. It sure was in the Nazi Germany and the USSR. So I call them, lovingly, ‘Nashisti’. In Russian it sounds very much like ‘Facsisti’, Fascists. Sorry if it’s a bit harsh guys. The mirror is over there.

A humble man yet a leader, a man of principal, honor and dignity. A great Man.

WE WON!

Today the world has changed. It has become a better place. Long time coming we have now been given a pass into a new future. We will be ok, ladies and gentlemen, I now believe we will make it.

After days of my personal hell with Nashi, I hope for a wonderful day and Barack's victory today!

TAMBOV, 08. PART 1

The 7-hour car trip is tough. I try to sleep in the car but wit little luck.
Tambov is a very rural and in many ways still very Soviet. Radio is playing early 90s tunes like Modern Talking, Alisa etc. The architecture is made up of wooden huts and Stalin era buildings. Grim.
We drive to the court, a formal looking building over a green alley. We drop off Ivanovich, the attorney and go to the jail. As we’re driving I tell Tolya all the details about me and A. and he now doesn’t outrule the set up of the situation. We sit in front of the jail store. On its window it says ‘vodka beer’ on, but neither is on sale.
‘Shall we try to get me in to see him?’ I ask.
‘We’ll see” says Tolya.
About 25 men and women in uniform march into the prison block. There will be searches.
A call from attorney, the case will go back to court, as we wanted.
We pick him up and drive back to prison. He suggests we try to get me in as his assistant. Tolya goes to pass my parcel, sausages, cheese, sweets, while Ivanovich and I decide to embark on our little show, hoping to pull it off. I am tired yet alert.

Judging by the colour of their faces most people who work here seem to be on a drinking binge. Every room and passage is dark and smoky. Everyone is puffing on their terrible quality Marlboros or Parliament (I know, I’ve tried them). The ongoing sound of heavy metal doors angrily being shut and large dogs barking. I later see it is, as I expected, German Shepherd. It is all pretty much like in the movies.
With each step the feeling is heavier.

We go to 3 more dusty, smelly offices, where I endure many more eyes staring back at me with suspicion as attorney and I are playing out our ‘I will fire you if you will forget your pass again’ scene, before my ten times stamped slip becomes my pass inside.

After our bags are take from us and another set of metal doors are slammed shut behind us and we climb a set of stairs.

‘Turn left here’, says Ivanovich. We come to a row of numbered doors.

‘ You can go to number 3’ the guard said.
We enter. The room is empty except for a wooden bench table and chair and a peanut can used as an ashtray. I pretend to be ok. It’s a kind of pretending I am used to.

WAR 08.08.08 The movie

Yesterday i was invited to a screening of a documentary film that was to reveal 'the truth of Georgia's attack on South Osetia'. It had almost a Hollywood name. 'War 08.08.08. The betrayal.'

Here is a link.

http://www.russia.ru

It was implied, of course, that it was Georgia's 'Big Brother' the US that was fully behind it. A cute joke was told about how America confused it's own state of Georgia with Georgia the country. Film was made on government cash and the presentation, judging by the pastries and fresh fruit before the screening and Osetian dishes we were invited to taste after the film, was also financed well.
The phrases in the film such as 'brutal killing of civilians' and 'genocide' made me cringe. After the screening the makers politely asked if there were any questions, expecting none. I raised my hand. 'Do you not think this film has striking similarities with films, alas not widely available, about the Chechen war?' I asked. The makers went pale. after a pause in response there was some mumbling by one of them and we were asked to proceed to the cafeteria. I chose not to push it. The glances i got told me i was now an enemy. Enemy or not I still had some food before I left )

ZERO...

Today I have finally realised the full impact of the current economic. It is not uncommon that those realisations on an emotional level, as oppose to intellectual, happen when you or someone close to you takes a hit. I got a call from a close friend and loyal supporter of my work from Europe who told me he has gone bankrupt. From $40 million net in his own money and a well-to-do company to pretty much ZERO. He was sitting in a bar, drinking. He is also divorcing his wife so will be spending a night ina hotel. When i said i will call him tomorrow he said he is not sure if there will be a tomorrow for him. And I don't think he was exaggerating all that much and that scared me.
He is an extremely intelligent man who knows more about classical music and especially violinists, it's his thing, than anyone I know. But he doesn't love his wife and never had any goal, let alone a cause, other than making money. Not in order to buy expensive watches, he is not into it, but market has become his life. And you can't, you just can't give your life to that.

Victor Erofeeev

Victor Erofeev, one of the most famous living Russian writers, is under a full blown attack by the main government controlled channel for his criticism of the channel's policies. On a presumably intellectual program 'Gordon Kihot' (ref. to Don Kihot by Miguel de Cervantes) an open attempt to destroy personality of Victor Erofeev was made last night. Whatever one might think of his writing i have great respect for this man. There is also a personal reason for it, i admit. He was one of very few well-known creative people who came to my defence when my play was banned in Russia. In my turn, I will now, of course, voice my outrage over this.

ANNA

Two years since Anna Politkovskaya was murdered. The case has now gone to court. The process is likely to be closed to the press. The killer has not been found so the trial will be over a few middle men who, by definition, cannot know very much. And we will not publicly hear the name of the actual person behind this assassination for years to come.

Rest in peace, amazing, talented, loving, giving man, Paul Newman. I cried yesterday for the first time in a while.

Assassinations continue...

Ruslan Yamadaev who fought alongside the Chechen rebels before switching sides and fighting on the Russian side, was awarded hero of Russia medal ( same as Medal of honor) and is a former Parliament member, was killed in Moscow, in broad daylight and almost right outside Putin's new residence as prime minister-the 'white house'.
He received 10 bullets and died on the spot. The killer, allegedly with his face covered, miraculously was not captured on any of the CCTV cameras, of which there are many in central Moscow, especially in close proximity to government buildings. In all likelihood Yamadaev was killed by Ramzan Kadyrov, President of Chechnya, but with possible involvement of the FSB and one of the Kremlin groups.

Если Народ позволяет власти относиться к себе, как к быдло, значит он, народ, быдло и есть.

Another slice of reality

This is not cold statistics. This is information I get directly from people.
In Russia factories are closing, production is down and people are losing jobs. In Mozdok the fabric factory that had 3,500 employees 5 years ago now has only 350. And they are about to fire more people. There are 48 universities and 519 higher education institutions in Russia. There is no point, however, for young people in the provinces to go for higher eduction as there in no chance for them to find employment that will fit their qualification in the regions. The only place with work places is Moscow and they are all taken. Young lawyers are painting walls. It is a dire situation the government channels never cover. They stick to empty words, and these days use more and more of the Soviet rhetoric.

The only way anything can change in Russia and the only way it will change its current self-destructive and immoral route is to find something to replace its main driving force-materialism. The genuine replacement of values, even if possible, takes generations.

Email address for Karpov family

Here is the email address to send transaction details to for those who were kind enough to express desire to help Karpov family.

nickolayk@yandex.ru

Thank you so much!

Plane Crash in Perm-a tech problem, issue of old planes still in exploitation or something else?

The plane crash in Russia's town of Perm might be an accident but a few facts seem a bit odd. According to the air traffic controller, the pilots' behavior in the last 20 minutes of the flight was erratic and illogical which might signify that there was a third party in the cockpit. The Perm residents say that some of the larger institutions in the city were alerted to a possibility of a terrorist attack a few days before this happened. If one is to believe Sulim Yamadaev, a commander of the elite pro-federal forces 'East' battalion, formed of the former Chechen militants, now at odds with some of the FSB figures, around 20 young women 'went into the mountains' which means joined forces of the North Caucasus Islamic mujahadeen. We all know that women are mainly used a suicide bombers (only in Tamil Tigers are women equal fighters with the men).

This, of course, is only a suggestion. But if people's lives mean anything to the government it should not keep in jail a man who is able to prevent the loss of innocent human lives. Just a thought.

It is very hard when a person close to you is in jail. It is a trying time. Not knowing how it will turn out is very difficult.

BESLAN

It is 4 years since Beslan. Spoke on the phone with one of the mothers. As they have done every year since the tragedy, they have spent the last 3 days in the charcoaled walls of what used to be the school gym, without food or water, as they and their children did in 2004. Back then she was there, in the school, with her two sons. One of the sons died. He was 4 years old. Her other son survived, was wounded and now needs yet another operation. His eardrums burst during the explosion and there is now a lump that needs to be removed. The authorities, who are suppose to pay for it, asked for a ridiculous amount of paperwork and now that she provided it there is no response. She told me today something we have already discussed before. She wants to leave Russia. For the sake of her boy, her only son left.

What?!

Putin accused US of being behind the attack on Ossetia as part of a plot to bring McCain and the Republicans to White House. This is merely a projection of the ‘tricks’ those in power in Russia use onto a country that is on a very different moral level. That is America.

Putin came to power on the back of apartment building bombings and a new conflict, which became a second military campaign in Chechnya. Moscow theatre siege which took 130 lives and was sanctioned by groups within the FSB in order to have carte blanch from the West as well as its own people for further violence in its breakaway regions.

This is their technique but this is not America’s technique.

Aren’t you guys giving yourselves away?

The proof for this statement was an american passport found in Ossetia in the area where Georgia special forces were located. Because that's what you do when you're on a secret mission of one level or another, take all your IDs with you.

During a long interview with CNN's Mathew Chance Putin looked small and insecure. The opposite of his usual arrogant self. Is this the card they feel they now have to play, when even China has condemned their actions not to mention the overall isolation. Scared now are we?

Russia United. Not in a good way.

To call the new wave of the anti-American hysteria in Russia, that I am encountering first hand on a daily basis, overwhelming is an understatement. It is a wide spread belief that what happened in South Osetia is America getting to Russia using ‘Georgian hands’. There is a tremendous hate for Georgians, who for so many years were like brothers to Russians, but it is separate from the bigger topic-America, the enemy. Many speak with enthusiasm (!) about the possibility of the new cold war and even, get this, a third world war. They also seem content with an idea of being in isolation from the rest of the world, with only few ‘friends’ left-Iran, Pakistan and, possibly, China. The government controlled channels are, naturally, propaganda tools, used to the full at the moment. The results are astonishing. We are told that ‘the country is now united’. Ironically ‘United Russia’ is the dominant Putin controlled party in the Parliament.

What I believed happened is Russian provoked Georgians, and this was in the making for a while. Georgians reacted very angrily and brutally, which, of course, was a mistake. And America went ‘shit, we really don’t have the money or any desire to get involved in this mess right now’.

Russians, however, will use this well. Some of it practical. Wars are very profitable in Russia for the selected few. And some if it is a massive ego boost, and ‘re-establishing its place’ in the region and the world.

Please Help a great family in trouble

This is for the Russians. Your help is badly needed for a family who lost their son in Moscow theatre siege. Their other son, Ivan, needs an eye operation and we're collecting funds. Great people in an awful situation, again. Please help.
Это рублевые счета:
Карпова Татьяна Ивановна
СБЕРБАНК РОССИИ
Внутреннее структурное подразделение
№ 8641/01651
Счет № 42307810438364408776

Центральное отделение № 8641 Сбербанка
России ОАО г. Москвы
счет МФР 30301810900006003836 Сбербанка России
ОАО г. Москва
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ИНН 7707083893
КПП 775003035
ОКАТО 45286580000
Кор. Счет Сбербанка России ОАО:
30101810400000000225 в ОПЕРУ Московского ГТУ Банка
России
Номер филиала 8641/01651

Яндекс деньги: 41001102754237

Khodorkovsky's appeal for early release was denied today. This will take toll on his father, who a couple of days ago told Tatyana Karpova (Nord Ost organisation) that he feels very weak.
On a jolly note, square (!) watermelons from China, at a modest price of 32,000 roubles ($1,250) a kilo, were sold out within hours.
I wish I was kidding.

Grim, very grim

We are on a brink of a catastrophe and the most shocking thing to me is that even the Russian opposition and few of my friends, brutally destroyed by the regime, blame Georgia and, most importantly, America. One is in exile in London on Ukos related charges and another one is in jail! in Russia on a fabricated case. It is hearing from them 'Americans, those bastards...' that made me feel very pessimistic. Right now I am watching Russian tanks crawling on the Georgian soil....

President Bush made a very severe comment about what's going on there is making me think some new form of cold war, something i said a year ago on a TV show will not happen, is not far away. Watched President Saakashvili almost hysterical on CNN and saying 'Georgia will never surrender no matter how many Georgians die'. Watched McCain (mispronounce Saakashvili's name) and Obama both say this is unacceptable. I felt a chill. Will this really spin out of control?

War in Ossetia, day 3

It is hard to know exactly who attacked first in the current South Ossetia crisis. And, really, it doesn't make that much difference. Of course at the center of all this is the clash between Russia and Georgia. Russia feeling terribly unhappy with the fact that's its neighbour and former 'Communist brother' is not looking in the direction of Western style democracies but is allowing US to build millitary bases on its territory. As a result of substantial financial aid from America Georgia has been booming economically. More schools and hospitals were built in the last 2 years than in the previous 20. The opposition is free to have its marches AND have media coverage. They still have a long way to go, of course, and President Saakashvili is no saint. But this is not the point. The point is that in an ideal world they would be left alone and would be free to choose their political path and their friends. Sadly, Russia does not want to allow for that happen. For Russian people, however, the idea that Georgia, backed by America, attacked Russian peace forces in Ossetia lands on a fruitful soil. The anti - American mood has always been there and has been 'helped' recently with consistent propaganda.

Even without further escalation of this situation the relationship between America and Russia will deteriorate further. And in the worst case scenario...well...

Next few days are vital.

WAR

Here we go...South Ossetia...

This is the hotel where I was whisked away from 'for my safety'.

Makhachkala is potentially a very beautiful city. A great resort.

This is a statue dedicated to a Russian teacher. A real teacher as oppose to 'Russia, the big brother' type of teacher. I was assured the sentiment was genuine at the time when it was erected.

Some pics

These were taken right before I, Наталья Пелевайн, was pronounced a slightly unlikely but nevertheless enemy of the state.

This one says Welcome to Dagestan. As i took the picture a militia man with the AK approached me and asked me to put the camera away.

The new idea currently promoted heavily by the Russian government and the pro-government press is the imminent collapse of the 'American empire'. President Medvedev mentioned that 'America is in no position to tell us how to live' and the press like hyenas that they can be, started spitting out article after article about the American system being in the verge of a total breakdown. This is all too pleasing to the Russian ear. Russian people would much rather see someone powerful rot than pick themselves off the ground. And i don't mean by scoring a few goals in a Euro cup.

Found this photo of Anna

She was there probably 2 years before me and not long before her murder.

Book

I have been asked to write one chapter for a book which these company might option, about Nord Ost, which i've been putting off for a while. Largely because i have too many other projects right now. Another reason is that this will mean going over all my materials on the subject, and i have probably the largest amount of it out of anyone, and this might be a little tough. Draining. I must get to it though. How does one rate their ongoing battles? Which ones are more important than others.

KARPOVS

A completely desperate situation in the family of Karpovs. They lost their son in the Moscow theatre siege and Tatyana, the mother, is the official head of NGO Nord Ost. Their younger son is going blind after some kind of infection and no one can give the precise diagnosis. On top of that everywhere they go they are asked for money. Large sums, which they don't have. As a result of a bunch of pills he was given, last night he became delusional. They took him to the hospital this morning, he is still there. Tatyana, a women of incomparable strength, is sobbing. I am in the phone with them all the time...feeling helpless.

Little fact

At the risk of giving myself too much importance, out of the four of us stuck in the elevator three and a half years ago: Anna Politkovskaya, Ahmed Zakaev, Alexander Litvinenko and me, only two are still alive. Myself and Ahmed.

"NASHI"

Spoke with the PR girl for government formed and financed NASHI Youth Organization today on behalf of a UK production company that's doing a documentary film on them, to organize filming. They are at their summer camp, doing 10 mile hikes and various patriotic activities. Anya sounded cheery and happy, Go Russia! type of thing. Tomorrow Zhirinovsky, Russia's Mussolini, will visit them and 1st vice president will go there the day after. Their agenda, which is often of the nationalistic nature, is dangerous and so is the fact of the existence of a government endoursed youth group like this, taking into consideration the history of Russia.

On another negative note, my friend is still in jail on a fabricated case.

Skanderbek no longer wants to live in Dagestan. Or possibly Russia in general. He told me he has no illusions left. Also apparently at every mentioning of the Russian theatre (in Makhachkala) Aliev's face changes. I am glad the impact was this deep.

Bit of news

Spoke with Skanderbek, the director of the Russian theatre in Dagestan, who told me that the officials have told him he will not be allowed to take our Nord Ost play to Ossetia on tour even though they are taking a number of other productions there. by doing this they fully disregard the appeal made by the mothers of Beslan who asked (and collected over 100 signatures) for this production to be shown in Ossetia. He was also told to forget about ever doing this production, period. There were also further publications suggesting that i recruited him on behalf British secret services and the play was the beginning of a 'master plan'. we were to start the destabilization of Russia in Dagestan and then take it step by step. Where to? I have no clue.

Strasbourg

A rather shocking news-Strasbourg has fulfilled the demand of the Russian Federation to give the Nord Ost case the classified status. This means all the information provided by the victim's families has been sealed off and is inaccessiable.

Another slice of Russian reality

A very close person to me is in jail in Russia. The case is fabricated and will soon go to court. He is an amazing man and shouldn't be in there. He was telling me of the awful conditions people are in. Many have no mattresses on their beds. They are not taken outside at all, many rooms don't have even tiniest windows. And people who work there are like angry dogs. The whole thing borders on torture. He asked me if anything can be done. He was not asking for himself. I will do all i can. I hate Russian reality of complete lawlessness.

P.S

While Russia-Spain football match was on i was at the screening of a very good documentary film about Anna Politkovskaya at the Lincoln Center. A wonderful piece about Anna and her work by a dutch director Eric Bergkraut. Great interviews and footage i have not seen before.

We win 3:0

Hats off to the Spanish team for ending Russia's hysteria. Previous statement has nothing to do with my lack of patriotism but is a result of the presence of the latter.

Was i the only Russian who cried not from joy when Russians won over the Dutch team and went into semifinal of the Euro cup? I am sure the team played well and the boys deserve it and it is by no means them that i have a problem with. It's the reaction of the Russian society, who are always a step away from insanely inflated ego and all the unhealthy things this leads to.
This manifested iteself straight away on the night of this victory. Not only did they celebrate all night as if they won the world cup, the animals screams captured by reporters were of the following nature: 'Russia is the greatest!', 'This is what Russia is and this this how Russia does!' 'We are the best' etc. The headlines on news websites read 'We have put Europe on its knees!' This is in the country where no one went to the streets during the Nord Ost or Beslan, while the relatives begged people to. And no one gives a damn about what all the intelligent people are well aware of- we will never know the truth behind the murder of Anna Politkovskaya and other assassinations. That the government treats those very fans as slaves and they prove that's what they are over and over again. Many were sacrificed and many will be in the future. This will happen amongst the dead silence of the people, who never feel they can object to those in power and only screem when their team scores a goal.

If Obama does become the next American president, it will signify such a fundamental change in American politics and society that this will have impact on political scene globally. This time, we hope, in a good way.

What made me sad is when i read in some places, not in the official articles but some forums, that i took on the subject of terrorism and Nord Ost specifically as a PR move. But i felt sad not for myself but for people who wrote it. They must have such lack of human compassion that for them the only reason someone would take something like that on, would be for selfish and purely pragmatic reasons. Those words, soaked in envy and hatred, belittle only their author.

I get messages from the supporters of the Chechen mujahadeen and Islamic fight against foreign occupation in general. I am not sure if i should engage in some kind of dialogue with those people, ignore them or report them. The messages praise 'brothers and sisters' like Movsar Barayev, who took over the Moscow theatre.

RUSSIAN Version on the Internet

Russian Version of "In Your Hands", "В Твоих Руках" is now available on:

http://nord-ost.org/poslednie-novosti/v-tvoih-rukah_ru.html

Medvedev in his role as the president of Russia looks like a real bufoon. Surprisingly enough, considering he comes from a family of university professors, he speaks pretty terrible Russian, looks painfully shy, generally looking more like a young university student on dance floor, too timid to ask a girl for a dance than a leader of a country. It does appear more and more obvious that he is merely a facade and some other conglomerate is in control. It is sad and also dangerous in such a huge country. The notion itself is horrifying.

Another note on the play...

The really sad thing is that those government officials who were watching my play in Dagestan were not moved, and in all likelihood irratated, by the tribut to all those who died in terror attacks, when all our actors stood, with their heads bowed, in front of column of candles going all the way into the sky. And how on the metal shield which made for the backdrop, at the end of the play the last notes of the dying people appeared that said "remember us", "mama, i love you" and others. And when the actors came out to take a bow they picked up from the floor and put on the chairs empty bottles of water and juice cartons as a tribute to Beslan children, who were deprived of water for 3 days, as well as Nord Ost victims.

The fact that they ignored those things is tragic. For them. The robots.

Please Help.

I came across this site about children with cancer in Ukraine and the terrible struggle that they go through in the country where medical system is appalling and people are poor. A lot of those kids suffer very much and die because their families having sold everything simply don't have money to continue with treatment. Loans are not available for families like these.

Please forward this site to as many people as possible.

www.deti.zp.ua

Thank you!

Well done Hillary! A gracious speech of a strong, amazing woman who would have made a great president.

The Kleptocrats

There was a short piece in New York Post today about Bolat Nazarbayev, the brother of the president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, bought a pad in NYC for 20 million US dollars. The headline was 'Kleptocrat pad'. Couldn't put it any better if you tried.

In a society where people don't care about what they allow their government to do, how they allow their government to deal with situations such as Nord Ost and Beslan, is doomed. As long as it is someone else's family who lose their child because the government messes up the rescue efforts, and then puts a price tag on that child's life- $3000 in Nord Ost, a little more in Beslan-people go about their business in numb silence. This denial mixed with fear is the most dangerous symptom of Russian society.

What was that, Mr Aliev?

As i decide on what steps to take with regards to the situation surrounding my play in Russia, as the officials are not allowing it to go up again, this is an overview of the statements made by the president of Dagestan Mr. Aliev between 11am and 5pm Monday the 7th of April 2008.

1. He disliked the play but did not ban it. He sees objective look at the North Caucusus war as inclination towards wahhabism.

2. 'Those behind the play suggest that all of us are to blame for what happened in Nord ost and Beslan. We are all to blame? I am to blame? what am i to be blamed for may i ask?'

3. 'They should try to stage this play in Beslan. I will ant to see what will happen to them there.' (Beslan mothers reacted immediately and said that they very much welcomed the play)

4. 'The play is the provocation by the enemies of Russia. Did you notice that it was first staged in London? And shall i remind you where Mr. Berezovsky is hiding? This play is aimed at the destabilisation of our region.'

PUTIN-We did everything right.

Today PM Vladimir Putin in his interview with French journalists has stated that 'everything was done right' by the government officials during the events of the Moscow theatre siege and the Beslan school siege. Thus not just refusing to admit to a single mistake made durind, say, the rescue operation, but pretty much saying he will never accept responsibility for the things that went wrong and led to so many deaths. This is also an indication to the relatives of the Nord Ost and Beslan victims and former hostages, now formed into non-government organisations Nord Ost and Voice of Beslan that their efforts are in vain. That they will never get what they are fighting for. The truth. The admittance of guilt. At least. So no wonder that people like myself who stir things up regarding this much hated topics are seen and pronounced an enemy. Thus President of Dagestan's statement regarding my play being a plot of 'our countries enemies who live abroad aimed at destabilising our region'. That was a quote.

As i am working on my second draft of the screenplay about Anna Politkovskaya and Nord Ost, i am forced to make a number of difficult decisions. How many of the controversial topics to bring up, while making it comprehensible and not slipping into conspiracy theory zone (which i hate). And how to make the 'formula'-good guy/bad guy-work without slipping into stereotypes (which i hate even more). Time will show...

The tragic thing is that at the moment after a few victorious games in sport, after the win on Eurovision song contest Russia is very seriously talking about all this being a sign of Russia's resurrection. It's very sad that people, so easily manipulated and hypnotised into believing all this, go around saying 'we are the greatest', based on a couple of accidental victories in sports and the Eurovision contest, which in civilised Euopean countries is widely known to be a joke. These are the standards Russia applies to measure its own greatness, quickly slipping into hysteria. All this while for years it hasn't exported a single car, washing machine or a pair of jeans; elderly, soldiers, teachers and doctors make pennies and freedom of speech and expression are being suffocated. You are delusional, Russia. This is a very slippery slope.

Here it is, burning after the explosion. The fire is on my 12th floor.

Explosion

Even though my grandparents have been able to move back into our apartment after the apartment opposite ours was blown up on the night of the premiere of my play in Dagestan ( in fact 1 hour after it ended), they are still very traumatised. They've spent a month in a hotel and glad to be home but it's hard. Three people died in the explosion including the young woman, our neighbour we all knew well and loved. They went to her gravesite few days ago.
All they were getting in response to questions about the investigation into the explosion are lies which changed from day to day until they no longer feel the need to respond at all.

Not suppose to ask questions in Russia. 'How dare they' i hear them say.

One famous dissident in America told me that i am now officially (whatever that means) a dissident. This has been established by the Russian dissident community in the US on the grounds that i am fighter for the truth, justice and people. And that, perhaps most importantly, i have suffered for my efforts. All the dissidents from the Soviet era are at least twice my age. The developments of the recent years are forcing the term to come back to life?

Khodorkovsky school

A few words i wanted to say about my trip to the orphanage or rather school for children from underprivileged families founded by Mikhail Khodorkovsky. It is run by his parents and i was invited to attend their end of the year concert. There are 40 children from Beslan in this school. It was a wonderful event and the kids were fantastic. There was this light about them that only given s second chance at life or a chance at better life have. When i spoke with Boris Moiseevich, Mikhail's father, he said that he is not very hopeful when it comes to the earlier release of his son from jail, or, in fact that he, with his fragile health, will ever see him free again. I did not dare ask him how he feels about the future of Russia, the country i know he loves very much.
They are keeping very low profile as the government already made an attempt to shut down this school.

Власть -Дура

Власть-дура

И в их подковерных играх все примитивно. И цели и методы. И в желании выслужиться, которое влечет часто глупые поступки, а их последствия со свистом возвращаются назад и бьют его же выслуживающегося по лбу. Власть выглядела смешно даже на инагурации. И рукоплещущие холопы и угрюмый Путин и испуганный вусмерть Медведев. А оттого что власть дура, еще обиднее. Значит мы все еще большие идиоты.

Untouchable no more?

New prime minister Putin, who today at the meeting of the government and the parties where he was voted in (not unanimously) to become PM, was yelled at by the leader of the Communists Genady Zuganov. From untouchable to vulnerable? Will he be poked at and attacked more and more and will he be able to take it?

Medvedev - our new boss. Right....

I would like to congratulate all Russians with the new president. During the inauguration he looked petrified. What a joke....

I want to go ahead and take Aliev to court, or rather make an attempt to) but i am worried this will make life for Skanderbek even worse. I've made mistakes before, thinking it will be ok, nothing bad will happen. Had too much faith in the 'new Russia'. It is not safe for me to go back to Russia, that seems to be the consensus. It breaks my heart....

Ella Kesaeva

Ella is probably one of the hardest fighting and most defiant people among those who were affected by the Beslan tragedy. Sadly, even among those who went through Beslan there are many who are afraid to criticize the government.

Today i got a letter from Beslan addressed to the governor of Ossetia expressing the desire of its citizens to invite our play to their region. The letter has 94 signatures of the victims of the school siege. Yesterday i spoke with Ella Kesaeva, the leader of the Voice of Beslan, and she said that they support us fully and thanked me, which means more to me than any other kind of acceptance.

Skanderbek is still very much harassed by the press in Dagestan. The government 'ass-lickers' have launched a real attack on the director and his theatre in the pro-government papers. I spoke to him today. He is a fighter and wants to battle on.

Media. Love/hate (cliche)

I've now had time to read up on some of the things that have been published in the press and on the net on our play situation. I am very thankful to all who supported us and who gave us platform to speak, because there was absolutely every need for us to react to what happened.
I am at the same time very sad that some government pleasers painted me as some celeb wannabe, implying that that's why i chose this subject matter to begin with. Suggesting i knew there will be scandal. Firstly, there are many much easier ways to become famous these days. Just go party and bed hopping with the right people, show a little boob and you're set. I lived and breathed this topic for a long time and always had the blessing of the victims and their families. My heart bled all over it. My commitment to the families is absolute. Right now I am trying to find sponsors to keep their organisation (Nord Ost) going, as all the old ones have left them in the cold.
I wanted resonance for this play but NOT of this kind. Man, you never can get used to human pale bitterness.

The latest news I have from Skanderbek, the director of the Russian theatre in Makhachkala is that the play will not be performed again in any foreseeable future. Contrary to what the president's administrations has been saying to the press, the director has been told not to put the play up again. Skanderbek has been under a lot of fire in those recent weeks. Aside from the intelegenzia, most others seem to be loyal to their government, or to be more precise, their fear. Their desire to live as people and not slaves hasn't shown its face. Now what?

This notice appeared on the theatre doors...

the following morning.

Last fragment

During the play i leaned over once to look at Mr Aliev and he seemed to be watching with every bit of attention. Throughout the play the military heads sitting in the row behind me were discussing the factual truth of the play, admitting that that's how it happened 'back then'. Amusingly they got very excited they heard the sound of the helicopter. 'The chopper', one of them yelled out, almost like a kid. At the last beat of music Mr Aliev, his entourage and 'siloviki'-MVD, FSB men rose and without applauding, left the theatre. All the time as i was taking bows on stage, along with the cast members and the director, i kept thinking 'this is not good, unless it's just a security measure, for him, the president, to leave before everyone else, but...no, this is not good.'

I stood outside the theatre with Dmitry when the president passed right by me on his way to the car. He did it ina very demonstrative way.

After i did a few more interviews in Skanderbek's office, he showed up looking pale. It took me a few monutes to get out of him what happened. 'The president is very angry. The play is no more. You are not to know about this. I am to tell you tomorrow that the main actress got sick.'

We sat with a couple of very nice people, unaware of the reality of the situation, at the banquet table mostly empty for the lack of our high ranked guests, trying to pretend all is well. It was a pitiful and painful sight. It was a shocking and painful situation. It was shocking and painful, period.

18 hours later...

...you don't.

The banner on the theatre with the name of the play....

Here you see it.

Further in fragments...

By the time i arrived at the theatre, president's guards were already there. Since the whole thing was very unexpected, it was all very chaotic and many major things were overlooked. It was one of the actors playing terrorists who had a good sense to tell the guards that they'll be running up on stage with machine guns. 'Good thing you told us', they said, 'we would have shot you all if you hadn't'. They searched the theatre and checked the prop guns few hours before the performance. There was much discussion about where they can be positioned during th play, as not to be in the way of our actors moving around the auditorium.

Passing through the theatre foyer i saw groups of bulky self-assured men, mostly in suits. In fact only one of these generals wore his uniform. I was told to wait for the president's arrival and not go into the auditorium as i will be introduced to him. Finally i saw him coming up the stairs, his entourage few steps behind him. He shook my hand. I said 'Glad you could come' (what else do you say?), and he responded with 'i'm very interested'.

In fragments

The play based on the Moscow theatre siege has been in rehearsals for over 4 months, during which time director Skanderbek Tulparov has gone public with his plans, and has appeared on local TV and radio shows talking in detail about the project. After a while i've stopped asking him if any of the so called officials have made any advances. They haven't, and i shamed myself for being so behind and not giving enough credit to the immense progress in Russian. I began to think of ways to make this into an anti-terrorist act of some kind, inviting as many of my Nord Ost guys to Makhachkala and some of the Beslan mothers as well as some of the officials and human rights orgs people, to have a 'round table' talks. In fact this was initially suggested by Skanderbek's friend, one of the ministers in Dagestan. For the lack of cash we couldn't do it, and all we could afford is to invite one of the reps of Nord Ost organisation, Dmitry Milovidov, who lost his daughter in the siege.

On the day of the premiere we were suddenly told that president Aliev will be coming to the performance.

Russia, Dagestan, 08

What happened to me and my play in the last few weeks in Russia is shocking. Will write up everything very soon. Getting my thoughts together and deciding on the legal actions. I am very disappointed and tired but not broken.

The unsolicited ads on the Moscow metro for fake MOTs, University diplomas,IDs maintain for me this coutry's mystery. Sure we know that there is a whole lot of corruption but the fake bits of paper ensuring your status as a qualified driver, doctor(!) etc widely available on the black market in the 90s are the thing of the past, right? Not so it seems. Unless those ads on the metro are aimed solely at the very desperate illegal immigrants, like those from Tajikistan who work for pennies and have right to, well, nothing, not unlike Mexicans in the US. Either way this country, unlike any other, presents plenty if opportunities for time travel. And that's what we love it for.))))

Moscow, 08

Yesterday in Moscow I had an appointment with a doctor as I seem to have some kind of sinus problem that’s been bothering me a lot recently. The building of the free hospital where I arrived for my consultation had no work done in ages. Paint coming off the walls, elevator barely working, endless rude yelling. When I tried to go in, the security guard (like there is anything to steal) ordered me to go back to the cloakroom and get what turned out to be plastic shower caps you buy for a modest price of 10 roubles and put over your shoes.
The doctor that performed some form of water boarding on me, which admittedly did ease up my sinus, was left unaffected by my terrorist joke and proceeded to tell me with a grim face that she has no clue what the government does with all the oil money, since the doctors in this hospital, many, like herself with a PhD status, see none of it. Never did, not once. It is the unofficial ‘envelope’ salaries that help them stay afloat. Knowing this and fully prepared, even if extremely uncomfortable, I slipped on her desk my envelope with a 100-dollar bill in it, pushing it gently towards her. ‘You shouldn’t have’ she said and of course it’s true but who am I to fight against this dominant factor of Russian economy.
There are more old ladies begging in the metro than a few months ago. People are often uncontrollably, unreasonably rude. All women under the age of forty wear high spike-heeled boots. Mostly in black and occasionally red. Drinking and smoking youths are hanging on every corner like the whole place is a ghetto. And this is a respectable area of Moscow we’re talking about. As I got into a tram the driver with a burning cigarette hanging from his mouth sold me a ticket. One dollar one way, and I had to get off after two stops. The prices here generally are compatible to those in London and NY. The service is not. Where the hell is all the progress?
This is my motherland.

One Man Show

Russia's today's presidential elections realistically have only one name on the ballot. That of Dmitri Medvedev. For the wider public, outside of small groups who by the force of inertia still follow Zuganov the Communist and Zhirinovsky the clown, and aside from a complete unknown Bagdanov 'the democrat', there is no one else on that ballot they can vote for. The public acts as an inactive, uninterested observer. Most of the people i know are refusing to participate in what they see as a farce. The turnout, no matter what the official number announced, will be low. Having said that, no matter what the turn out is to be, in my view the percentage of the votes received by each candidate will be a genuine reflection of how those few who did take part voted. Increasigngly upset by what's going on in Russian on my own personal level, i fear more and more that this one man show is what fits russia best.

there is something going on right now, which i can't say anything about. not yet. but i do need to make this note.

recent

I've done an interview for a documentary film on Russian espionage for a well known channel, which i can't currently disclose. The other interviewees include Ahmed Zakayev, Mr B.B, and high up MI6 guys. Fun company. The irony is in the fact that some of the interviewees, off the record of course, tried to imply that i am an FSB person. My, oh my.....

Putin was in Dagestan few days back and said that the people of this region deserve special treatment because they once stood up, paying for it with their blood, not just for their own republic but for the unity of Russia as a whole. He's been going back in time to the 1999 events in Dagestan a lot recently. He rode into power on the tale of those events.

Dagestan production updates

Trying to keep a diary of our progress in Dagestan. So far nothing from the authorities. People are calling to book tickets though. Someone with intellectual authority has called the director to thank him for taking on this subject. We will have to see....

Mavlet told me that every day when he goes to the rehearsals of my play in Makhachkala he expects someone from the local high official office to arrive to discuss the production with him. And they won't be talking about the lighting. The manager of the theatre is walking around pale, thinking that someone from the local Dagestan audience and out of profound dislike for the Chechens, might start a real fight with the actors who portray Chechens. Actors, on their part, are afraid that mujahadeen might use the situation and come and replace some of the actors who play mujahadeen and do something nasty. It's comical)))....or.....not....

Theatre of politics

Politics can be absolutely riveting. At least American politics. It's like really good theatre with great writing and talented acting. To add to that, and this is the best thing about it, in both cases there is a good amout of genuine emotion. Or i might simply be a lot less cynical than i thought. Obama/Clinton debate at the Kodak theatre in LA was the best thing i've seen in a while. And that includes film, football, stars on ice, desperate housewives and porn.

I sometimes hear, even from the people i think i know, a question: 'Why do you do this?' They mean my interest in social and religious issues, the conflicts that are in existence and are about to erupt, the unfair treatment of the old people AND officers of the secret services, the carelessness of the government and the selfishness of the people. The moral pit that we're all in. All in all, the things that are generally considered to be unsafe. My answers vary but, regardless of the wording, the thing is, i can't do it any other way.

And i really feel...

...Vysotsky would have never accepted the way things are now. He wouldn't have made it to see the vulgarity of today's reality of cheap celebs and oligarchs. He would have died once the breakdown of the Soviet Union, which he so much desired, turned into a heartless, soulless land of gangsters, hookers and contract killings.

Vysotsky

Today would have been Vladimir Vysotsky's 70th birthday. He is a Poet. Actor. Artist. Genius. He is a legend, as valid today as he was in the politically stale and grim 60s and 70s. Fighter. The voice of the people. I was 3 when he died. He was 42.... He is my hero. He is our Russian Hero......

Heath Ledger

i wasn't going to write about this but decided i can't not to say somethings since i've been feeling it very deeply. He was great, true actor, a genuine talent, a lovely man who didn't care about the celebrity circus. I exchanged messages with Heath's agent who is responsible for his career and together they would have done so much more. it was not to be. He is devastated. We all are. RIP beautiful talented young man.

Theatre director from Dagestan, my friend, was in Moscow recently and while meeting with some film industry pals to discuss various projects asked what they thought of a film idea based on Nord Ost events. Their reply was, great... but not here and.. not now and... not on our money and... not for our audience. This reminded me of a line from Evgeni Schawarz's play The Dragon when the city governor is asked if Lancelot the warrior can with the battle over the almighty Dragon, he says, sure he can, but... not now and... not here an...d not over the Dragon and... not Lancelot. The man was a genius.

The Medvedev state sponsored PR campaign is well underway. On every news bulletin 70% is the coverage of his activities, from work to play. You barely see Putin anymore. In my view Medvedev, with his very civilised appearance and sweet shyness, is not more than a leader of Belgium or Luxembourg. Not Russia.

Following the process of party nominations campaing in the US does make elections in Russia look pretty...hmm...different. In America you know it's a real and genuine process the way the front runner changes almost on the daily basis. But in Russia for a number of also genuine reasons we can't do any better, not yet. P.S I support Hilary.