Paul
Goble
Staunton, June 20 – Nikolay Udoratin,
a leader of the Komi national organization ‘Let Us Defend Ourselves’ (Doryam
asnymoos), says that the protest at Shiyes is continuing despite official promises
to end construction of the dump for Moscow trash and reports that equipment has
been removed and that this action is proving to be a breeding ground for regionalism.
He says that the demonstrated camped
out at Shiyes have formed “a kind of informal ‘republic,’ where everyone
understands everyone else and has found a common language.” Everyone recognizes
that if Moscow builds the dumps everyone in the Russian North will suffer (region.expert/shies-regionalists/).
“Among the positive impressions”
from his visit to the site, Udoratin says, is “the growth of regionalist views
among the activists. Our modernized flag of the Komi Republic has attracted the
interest of many participants.” The Ingermanlanders have their own tents, as do
several other groups.
It is still the case that “many activists
from Arkhangelsk Oblast still stand under Russian flags rather than the flag of
their region,” the Komi leader says; but he adds, “I think this will change” as
the recognition spreads that “to defend one’s land from Muscovite colonization
can succeed only with the help of regional self-administration.”
In his report, Udoratin points out
that the authorities are clearly worried about the protests. They have
suspended train stops nearby in order to make it more difficult for people to
come and protest. But despite that, he says, ever more people are coming to Shiyes
because they are convinced that the powers that be will not keep their promises
to end construction.
Other steps by the authorities to
restrict or intimidate the protesters include the daily sweep of the area with metal
detectors in order to find weapons or mines and the introduction of fully armed
Russian Guard and OMON forces even as Moscow says construction is ending.
Government workers rebuilding the wall around the site, however, are showing
little enthusiasm.
In the last few days, according to
other reports, some of the construction equipment but not the armed guards have
been moved away. But most people in Shiyes think this is all for show in advance
of Putin’s “Direct Line” program and are certain that once that program airs,
all the equipment will be returned (dailystorm.ru/vlast/pered-pryamoy-liniey-s-putinym-iz-shiesa-vyvezli-vsyu-stroitelnuyu-tehniku).
They have their reasons. According
to people at the site, the equipment has been moved back, but it hasn’t been
packaged up in a way that suggests it is going to be removed from the area. And
that means that it is likely parked only a few kilometers away and can be
brought back as soon as Moscow thinks no one is looking.
Because of that belief, those at the
Shiyes protest encampment aren’t leaving – and every day they are there, they
are likely becoming even more radical and regionalist in their views.
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