Limonov vs. Western Journalists
Eduard Limonov - 9 Oct. 2007 - The eXile
I am thinking now that I am working for “Exile” as reporter,
being in same time active participant and even architect of
Russian History. Thus, the first Congress of “Other Russia”
held in Moscow’s Izmailovo Hotel on September 30 was
planned and executed by Garry Kasparov and me.
As to the idea of participation in the comping Russian
parliamentary elections it was entirely my idea. I
expressed
that idea two years ago, and steadily, have promoted it
inside of
the Other Russia coalition. Finally it was accepted
by my colleagues in the coalition.
On October 1st, Kasparov and me, we visited Central
Electoral Commission and have handed over the list of
candidates for elections of deputies of a State Duma.
What I want to say, that I am
reporter who is reporting on
activity of Edward Limonov–who is oppositional politician.
Unusual situation, isn’t it?
As to the Western journalists,
reporting on activity of
“Other Russia” they see what they want to see. Very
often what they see has nothing to do with
reality.
“The Observer” for example, in its article on October
1st, have written such rubbish: “In the past, Limonov
have suffered of alcoholism and have written novels in
the style of Charles Bukowski…Solzhenitsyn with disdain
called him ‘insect’ and called his writing ‘a pornography.’
After living some time in the US, Limonov have founded
in 1994 National-Bolsheviks Party and have called to put
all the liberals in the camps.”
When I read above quoted sentences, I said to myself,
“The men who write it is an idiot. And degree of his
idiocy is exceptional.
Sure, I never suffered of alcoholism, you have mixed me
up with Bush.
Solzhenitsyn never have said anything about me,
although yes, I have attacked Solzhenitsyn
in my books
and articles. It was in the past, because Solzhenitsyn
belongs to the past, and in present he is slowly dying of
old age.
I am called by many a best living Russian writer, as such
I have many faces, and I disregard Charles Bukowski as
a boring Californian swine.
The United States is not an example or authority for me.
And I founded National-Bolsheviks
Party after 14 years
long stay in Paris, France, not the United States.
But foundation of NBP (no party is banned) has nothing
to do with the US or France, I founded party out of
necessity, for purpose of political struggle. My party is
one of biggest and oldest and most disciplined political
structures in Russia, despite that party is forbidden.
That why Garry Kasparov made an alliance with me. I
never
called for putting liberals in the camps, needless
to say.
My voice
inside of coalition “Other Russia” is as
important as Kasparov’s. I am forced to say all this
because “The Observer”
is not a first foreign publication
publishing idiotic inventions about me. I hope my angry
voice will be heard.
I’m stating: I am reasonable, pragmatic man,
experienced politician, polite as
a diplomat. I have child,
young wife. I like French books, red wine, camembert
and especially oysters. I eat with a knife and fork.
What else? I am not a drug addict. I am good looking. I
am not overweight as most of
Americans and English.
My fingers are long, my wrists are narrow. I am not a
bald. I know two foreign languages: French and English.
I am able to write in both languages, although with
slight errors. I am brushing my teeth every day.
I have spent 2-1/2 years in prisons, not for stealing or
killing, but for attempt to realize my political ideas. I
wasn’t broken by Russian prisons. No other Russian
politician have prison experience. If one has any
questions to ask, ask, don’t reprint idiotical inventions.
Just ask. Because you look stupid, dear foreigners,
stupid “Observer.”
And another thing: I was married few times to
exceptionally beautiful and talented
women. Look at
your ugly wifes, assholes of journalism!
After that
angry introduction I am ready to explain what
we are doing in “Other Russia” alliance. By procedure of
“primaries”
which the alliance have held in 57 regions
around Russia, we realized democratical right of our
supporters to choose their candidates
for the State
Duma elections. The primaries happened in August and
September. Finally on September 30, we have held 1st
Congress of “Other Russia,” where its delegates have
voted for the list of 365 candidates to the State Duma.
The delegates also have voted for the united and only
one candidate of opposition for presidential elections
in
March 2008. Garry Kasparov was elected by
overwhelming majority.
On October 1, Kasparov and Limonov followed by
journalists and supporters, have deposited
the list of our
365 candidates to hands of member of Central Electoral
Committee, Mister Raikov. Bolshoi Cherkasskii pereulok,
the street where the CEC is located, was surrounded by
forces of OMON and militsia forces. However, they let us
hand in our list. Raikov have promised to discuss our
demand to include our list, which is headed by three
figures: Viktor Geraschenko
(former Central Banker),
Garry Kasparov, and Edward Limonov. We understood
that our demand will be rejected, but we wanted to
have an answer. We were challenging the Kremlin. It
was an historical challenge. We were refusing to play at
their dirty game, on that precise day of October 1st.
No matter what answer to our demand we will have, we,
“Other Russia,” will proceed with our electoral campaign.
We will stick leaflets and stickers to the walls of Russian
cities, will hold Marches of Dissenters, will lunch all
possible means of propaganda for our candidates. We
will
irritate and challenge authorities up to the
December 2, the day of Duma elections. We will
summon our supporters to vote for the “Other
Russia”:
they will be asked to write the letters “DR” (”Drugaya
Rossia” or “Other Russia”)
across their ballots. Those
ballots with improper writing on them will be classified
by Electoral Commission as “damaged.”
The amount of
damaged ballots will be our electorate: the “Other
Russia” supporters.
Our next steps I will not reveal to you now. In order to
not give the Kremlin time to prepare its forces
for
confrontation. You will have some information on
politician Edward Limonov from reporter Edward
Limonov in due time.
Edward Limonov, The Exile