Testimonies of Russian delegates in Genoa

Genoa, Moscow: Fresh Impressions

Carine Clément (Moscow, member of the ATTAC France International Group, groupe-est@attac.org)

I had expected it would not be easy to manage a group so different in age, political leanings and militant cultures, but I saw my expectation amply surpassed by reality. There were discussions, rows (sometimes strong-armed), endless meetings. Together with Ilia Boudritskis, the other organizer, we tried mainly to calm things down and to bring the militants to focus on the common goal, fighting globalisation. Almost every time, we finally did reach an agreement, but never without turbulent preludes. Indeed, all participants were not only militants in an association or union, but party members also for the most part. Just imagine a bunch of militant Trotskists, anarchists, communists (from different groups, presenting a different degree of openness and orthodoxy), a union leader worried about restraint and respectability and respectful of the Putin administration, militants trained at the old Leninist school of discipline, young hippies, apolitical members of associations, a few chauvinists and young feminists, put them altogether in a bus three days long, let them sleep in the same room side by side, and with resolutions to be taken, an open letter to Putin to be formulated, a desire - in spite of everything - to yell with one voice. And you get an idea of the atmosphere in which we were living during more than 10 days.

To this, add money problems, the meagre sums brought by our militants rapidly melting away, and the shock of being plunged in a totally unknown internationalist world.

Nonetheless, it has been a very positive experience altogether. Particularly, due to the welcome by ATTAC France and Italy (who gave us shelter in their premises and provided some food). Since many of us speak English, we were able to take part in several initiatives and participate to the discussion.

The original and effective organisation of the Counter Summit has struck the people's minds (sort of « looks shambolic, but it is not that much. »), the militant approach also (radicalism but openness, discipline but liberty, gender equality concerning the task to be executed). Above all, the street fighting techniques have been scrupulously registered and analysed.

On the one side, in addition to show their solidarity with the anti-globalisation movement and to express their opposition to Putin, our militants were anxious above all to observe and to learn. In view of the numerous meetings, the amount of information collected, and the participation to all actions, this objective has been achieved undoubtedly. The other positive aspect of the trip has been the media coverage of the Russian participation in Genoa and the light shed on the mobilisation by the Russian media which, for the first time, have been rather objective. Thus this trip constitutes the important first step in developing an anti-globalisation movement in Russia and Ukraine.

Elena Starostina (Omsk, Siberian Labour Confederation, with anarchist leanings)

This was a long and difficult journey, both with regard to the material conditions (although resting under the stars and singing late into the night is not without charm) and the often tense atmosphere in the delegation. Too many political leanings, generations, different cultures put together in the same group.

I did not appreciate very much the behaviour of the union leader S. Khramov (president of Sotsprof), worried about his respectability and concerned with his comfort and the partocratic, authoritarian and bureaucratic approach of E.Kozlov (Committee for the Defence of Social rights, leader of a small communist party in Leningrad). But nevertheless, a certain unity finally emerged in the group. We exchanged our addresses on the return bus trip, and we will try to stay in contact.

Regarding the mobilisation itself, I was struck by the number and variety of the protesters, the informal approach to organization and the effective preparation to the street battles. During the day of July 20, I tasted for the first time tear gas which police had sprayed over us as we tried to break down the door giving access to the red zone. The next time, I will be better equipped.

Most of the delegation's members participated to the actions coordinated by ATTAC. All the same, I tried to find the « hotter » spots where the violent clashes with police took place. The tactics and determination were impressive. In my opinion, it is necessary to adopt more radical actions if you really want to influence the leader of the great powers. As opposed to other participants of the coordination, I do not condemn the violence on the part of the protesters, in any case, it was directed against police and against the G8 holding their summit.

Serguei Sytchev (Moscow, Zachtchita Trade Union)

I was fascinated by what I saw. It rose my spirits to see people fighting like this, to see that the class struggle is not over. I learned a lot about street fighting techniques. I saw how the protesters made makeshift protections to cushion the blows by the policemen, how they played cat and mouse with the police and the carabinieri and set up barrages using wastebins. That can be of use. I am not a beginner regarding clashes with cops, but it is the first time that I see this on such a large scale.

For me who has never been abroad, I was surprised to see the number of countries represented, the presence of people of all ages (and not only young people as the Russian television says), all political orientations, prompted by the same objective. It is a great motivation for us. We must absolutely set up something similar to ATTAC. The association exists already in Russia, it is true, but it is hardly known and does not seem very active. I will make a noise of it around me, I will try to interest people in my manufacture. We must prepare a summit in Russia to organise a viable mobilisation.

Alexandre Nikolaev (President of the Committee of Workers' Soviets of member of the Russian Workers' Communist Party)

I was not involved directly in the street fighting. I am 50 years old and I have some experience in this respect (I was defending the White House in 1993 during Eltsin's putsch). But, delayed by our press conference, I had to walk through the whole demonstration of July 21 to get back to our delegation. And I was struck by its organisation: the teams of stewards set up by all organisations, the pacifist protesters, and - at the head, in the middle and at the rear of the demonstration - the protesters ready to fight und to ward off the provocations by the la police. The fighting always took place at a distance from the demonstration to ensure that it could proceed smoothly. The provocations were on the part of the police.

I did not detect any fascist group. On the contrary, I was touched to hear the Internationale being sung in all languages of the world. I have learned a lot, and I think this experience will help us in Russia. For example, I much appreciated the concert given by the revolutionary group. Several ten thousand spectators were dancing and singing. But there was no incident. Naturally, as party leader, I know that it is only as party that we can prevail. The social movement as form is not sufficient.

In addition, to obtain effectively the dissolution of the G8 or the IMF, more radical actions are indispensable. I do not condemn the violence which took place, even if there were some excesses. Without them, there would not have been such a media coverage. The pacifist demonstrations and the more physical actions constitute a whole. Altogether, we have shown our strength, our masses. One day, we will force the leaders of the great powers to retreat.

In this struggle, Russia has a role to play since we suffer from the consequences of globalisation which brings us only poverty, suppression of social and professional rights and anddesindustrialisation. With time, I think that the anti-globalisationmovement will strikes roots at home and grow stronger.