Espousing Theories of U.S. Demise Does Harm to Kremlin’s Reputation: Nezavisimaya Gazeta of Russia

Russian Political Scientist Igor Panarin postulates that the United States is on the verge of a civil war that will lead to it’s dissolution into six seperate political entities. What’s more, the Kremlin seems to be encouraging the idea.

In another undeniable sign that independent media still exists in Russia, Stanislav Minin of Russia’s Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes that when Russian ministries sponsor conferences and meetings popularizing these ideas to the foreign press, they inflict grevious harm on Russia’s image.

Minin writes in part:

“One is incensed, for example, that a government agency, a ministry, would invite foreign journalists to a lecture by Professor Panarin. Not just Mike Eckel (although this alone would be enough for indignation). Aside from The Associated Press correspondent, the Diplomatic Academy was visited by representatives of the Deutsche Welle, The Wall Street Journal, Prensa Latina, and along with them – staff from foreign embassies. Such initiatives border on masochism, inflicting harm and reputational damage on the Russian government. One shouldn’t think that Western – in particular American journalists – consider this gibberish any kind of scoop on themselves. They simply perceive it as a reflection of the thinking of the Russian authorities- and draw the appropriate conclusions. This is not in our nation’s interests and is akin to inviting guests to observe an obscene side of ourselves.”

By Stanislav Minin

Translated by Yekaterina Blinova

March 6, 2009

Russia – Nezavisimaya Gazeta – Original Article (Russian)

Associated Press correspondent Mike Eckel visited the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for a 20 minute lecture by Professor Igor Panarin. For the benefit of foreign journalists, the Foreign Ministry organized this free session of pseudo political-science. From Eckel’s account, I couldn’t gather whether the session made any lasting impression on him or if perhaps, he was already familiar with Professor Panarin’s ideas. The American press has paid considerable attention to Panarin’s fantasies, most likely believing that in some freakish way, the Kremlin buys into these conceptions.

A more detailed examination of Panarin’s ideas is hardly unnecessary. First of all, he has a Web site. Secondly, the professor refers to phenomena, the social significance of which increases only in the process of discussing them. In short: students, journalists and diplomats heard on March 3rd that the United States will cease to exist in 2010. It will break into six parts. In its place will emerge Atlantic America, which will perhaps join the E.U., a pro-Mexican Texas Republic, a pro-Canadian Central North American Republic and pro-Chinese California Republic. Alaska will return to Russia. Hawaii will go to either the Japanese or the Chinese. And there is little time left: 2010 isn’t far off. Already this year, Barack Obama will declare martial law throughout the country.

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