FEDERATION COUNCIL CHAIR MIRONOV ON RUSSIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 002605

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KDEM RS
SUBJECT: FEDERATION COUNCIL CHAIR MIRONOV ON RUSSIAN
ELECTIONS, BILATERAL TIES

Classified By: Ambassador John R. Beyrle; reasons 1.4(b,d).


1. (C) Summary: In an October 15 meeting with the Ambassador,
Federation Council Chairman and Just Russia political party
head Sergey Mironov offered frank analysis of recent national
elections, as well as focused criticism of the ruling United
Russia party. Just Russia is not considered to represent
serious opposition to the Kremlin, and rarely deviates from
official United Russia policy. Citing widespread fraud,
however, Mironov rejected any pretense that the recent
elections were free and fair, while simultaneously arguing
that options to roll back the results were limited. He
criticized United Russia as a party bent on power but with no
real ideological foundation, likening their drive for control
above all else to that of the Communist Party of the Soviet
Union. Responsibility for the failed elections and the
nature of United Russia, he argued, lay at the feet of Prime
Minister Vladimir Putin. Mironov and the Ambassador also
discussed U.S.-Russian relations, including Mironov's desire
for greater interaction and cooperation between the
Federation Council and the U.S. Senate. End Summary.

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Elections
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2. (C) The Ambassador raised the walk-out from the State Duma
by opposition parties October 14 in response to the failure
by the Central Election Commission (CEC) to consider
complaints about irregularities and fraud in the October 11
elections. Mironov began by noting that United Russia has a
clear monopoly on distribution of all political information,
especially to voters in the run-up to elections. He listed
examples of election-day malfeasance, including registered
voters being turned away from polls. While arguing that Just
Russia had done well in Astrakhan, Moscow Oblast, Kursk,
Yuzhno Sakhalinsk and Mari-El, he acknowledged that in
elections for the Moscow City Duma Just Russia had likely not
met the seven percent threshold for seats from their party
list. A majority of the election commission, led by Chairman
Churov, was simply signing off on results without
investigating their legitimacy. He argued that the concerns
of the Communist and Liberal Democratic Parties also had to
be heard and acted upon. He lamented that President Medvedev
declared he will not meet with the opposition to discuss the
elections until their regularly scheduled meeting on 27
October. He predicted (presciently, as it turned out) that
parties would return to the Duma soon.


3. (C) The Ambassador noted that government accountability
before citizens is vital for the legitimacy of political
leadership. Mironov went on to argue, however, that there
was little action that could be taken at this point to alter
the officially certified results. He rejected calls for a
recount, as the ballot boxes had already been stuffed.
Recounting the votes would only legitimize an inherently
false number. He also discussed taking action in the courts,
but recognized that no elections would be annulled or re-run
as a result of a legal decision. Indeed, CEC Chairman Churov
has argued that those who dispute the now official results
could be prosecuted under Russian law, and Putin dismissed
them with a "losers are always unhappy" comment. Just
Russia's recent participation in an opposition party walk out
of the Federal Duma, he clarified, was not a protest against
the results. The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR)
and Communist Party (KPRF) left the Duma in protest of
elections results. Just Russia left the chamber only when
prevented from even discussing the election as a legislative
body.

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United Russia vs Just Russia
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4. (C) Mironov likened United Russia to the Communist
Government of the Soviet Era. United Russia is positioning
itself as a conservative party of stability, led
enthusiastically by the persons whose personal interests it
serves, but with no real ideological cohesion apart from a
desire for power. While he has been impressed by the
rhetoric of President Medvedev, Mironov is waiting to see
actions replace words. United Russia has become a party
serving only big business and bureaucrats - a return to the
vested interests of the USSR. Mironov argued that continued
United Russia leadership only prolonged state control over
the economy and the status quo.


5. (C) Just Russia, on the other hand, offers a model of
liberal democratic capitalism with strong social elements.

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Mironov, considered close to the Prime Minister, was
nonetheless clear that final responsibility for flawed
elections and the present state of the ruling party lay with
its head: Vladimir Putin. Mironov did not go as far as
suggesting any sanction of Putin. LDPR and KPRF have called
for the resignation of Duma Speaker Gryzlov. Mironov said
Just Russia can no longer cooperate with Duma Deputy Chairman
Morozov, who was leading the chamber at the time of the
walkout and actively prevented Just Russia members from
discussing the election results on the Duma floor.

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"Reset" in Parliamentary Relations as well?
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6. (C) The Ambassador briefed Mironov on Secretary Clinton's
October 12-14 visit to Moscow, highlighting the priority both
the U.S. and Russia place on concluding a START follow-up
agreement by year's end, on addressing threats posed by
Iran's nuclear program, on combating extremism and drug
trafficking in Afghanistan and on increasing bilateral trade
and investment. Mironov was grateful for the readout,
raising the importance of expanding practical cooperation
between NATO and the CSTO. Mironov agreed that concluding
and ratifying a START follow-on agreement was critical for
the world in the run-up to the 2010 NPT Review Conference,
and that the U.S. and Russia had a special responsibility to
set a solid example for the rest of the world.


7. (C) Mironov expressed some disappointment that his
overtures to the U.S. Senate for closer cooperation had not
yet been answered. Unencumbered by executive branch
requirements, argued Mironov, legislators can often bring
their experience to bear on current regional or world issues
and propose ways forward that might have eluded others. The
Ambassador concurred on the importance of parliamentary
exchanges. He explained the busy legislative agenda in
Washington this fall, and promised to convey Mironov's
continued desire for closer ties to Washington.

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Comment
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8. (C) Just Russia is widely considered to be managed by the
Kremlin, and leaders Putin and Mironov are considered close
allies. It is very surprising that Mironov would choose to
be so critical, but it is important to note that he did not
go nearly as far as his colleagues from LDPR or KPRF. He has
not called for a recount in elections and, though critical of
Putin, suggested no action be taken against him. While
leaders from LDPR and KPRF have called for the resignation of
Speaker Gryzlov (who is closely connected to Putin),Mironov
stated only that Just Russia would no longer cooperate with
Morozov. Mironov may be walking a thin line between
maintaining authority as head of an opposition political
party and not straying too far from the Kremlin fold.
Improving contacts between the Federation Council and the
U.S. Senate would also be a constructive measure.
Beyrle