EU in st. Petersburg

[postout at SMOLNY.ORG]

 I have to respectfully disagree with Anna Kushkova’s criticism of Artem Magun’s letter of protest. Although I do not share some of Artem Magun’s political views, I find his article remarkably devoid of confrontational, ideologically biased or manipulative rhetoric. In my personal opinion, no intelligent and informed observer of Russian society could deny the fact of political pressure applied by Russian authorities to the European University in Saint-Petersburg - even if safety irregularities in its building did take place. Indeed, reducing the conflict to the safety problem would be tantamount to explaining the IUKOS re-nationalization through the tax problems of its previous owner. It is futile to “abstain” from politics in the case that has began from official statements of the government officials and resulted in a parliamentary inquiry; every silent endorsement of selective justice is unambiguously political. 
              I would not dare to criticize the administration of the University for agreeing with the official interpretation of the conflict. The Rector Vakhtine and his associates had a heavy responsibility on their shoulders; in all probability, they faced no choice but to stick to the script drafted by the overbearing power. But there is no necessity, or even possibility to believe in the non-political version of these events, and Artem Magun deserves credit for telling the story straight.

Kirill Postoutenko
Head of the Program ‘Sociology and Anthropology’ 
Smolny College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Saint-Petersburg


     

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