The Kremlin is indifferent about who is killed. The war is a good way to start pushing Russia toward fascism. Rybakov is not alone in believing that tycoon and Kremlin insider Boris Berezovsky may have played a byzantine role in encouraging Chechen warlords to enter the neighboring republic of Dagestan last summer, an action that was cited as a reason by the Kremlin for its military strike against Chechnya. Yes, he played a role, but I can t say exactly what, says Rybakov. Like many democrats and reformers, he is depressed by how few voices are speaking out against this second Chechen war.
People don t want to listen to war critics now.
Rybakov isn t sure. He disagrees with former Soviet dissident Yelena Bonner, the widow of Andrei Sakharov, who on Nov. 4, during testimony before the U.S. Congress, urged the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, to postpone further loans to Russia until the Kremlin agrees to halt the war. I understand her arguments, but she isn t being practical. Inside I agree, but in reality I can t. The army can continue this war without Russia receiving any IMF loans.