The AKM-TR Far Eastern Journey

   As usual summer is a period of political activity decline. But in this year we have decided to break this bad tradition and to devote our vacations season to a journey over regions and meetings with AKM-TR militants and local representatives of friendly organizations. We publish a brief report of the regional journey of the AKM-TR Central Staff delegation composed of 2 persons in May-June 2007.

   Khabarovsk. It was the first city we visited. We’d like to note a strong branch of VKPB in Khabarovsk – we were agreeably surprised to learn that our party comrades had a permanent headquarters in the downtown. Their own newspaper “Khabarovsk Truth” is published regularly. I’d also like to mention the comrades from the Far Eastern “Labour Russia” for their rigidity and willingness to co-operate with allies over red opposition. Among those whom Khabarovsk communists co-operate with there is even the regional branch of the “Patriots of Russia” party holding bright actions against the U.S. aggressive policy all over the world. Moreover, I’d like to write about an original White Guard placard of 1920 “For United Russia!” we have seen in the Museum of Local Lore, History and Economy. We can remind to those who don’t remember history well enough that the Far East was the last Russian land to be liberated from White Guards and their Japanese masters and that the Civil War ended here in 1922 only. As the saying is there is nothing to add nor detract.

   Irkutsk. Unfortunately the CPRF and our “orange friends” dominate in the left sector of the political spectrum of Irkutsk. Nevertheless it is not a reason for despair but a large field for active work. Like in Khabarovsk we have faced the “Labour Russia” activists’ complete understanding and friendly attitude, due to them Moscow delegates managed to visit the Baikal lake for the first time in their lives.

   Krasnoyarsk. The communists’ organization and activity at Krasnoyarsk territory made the most favourable impression on me. A powerful block of communist forces “Labour Krasnoyarye” functions in this region comprised of all left radical organizations of the territory including Krasnoyarsk branches of the largest opposition parties – RCWP and N.Andreeva’s AUCPB, Stalin’s Block of Krasnoyarsk, etc. Communists publish their materials in the authoritative mass-circulation “Krasnoyarsk Newspaper” issued twice a week, they take part in local elections. A meeting with the revolutionary core of the city took place on the day of our arrival in the “Labour Krasnoyarye” office. At the meeting I have introduced our organization to Krasnoyarsk comrades, the most actual problems of our struggle were discussed – the attitude to the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, the possibility of search of allies, the total crisis of the communist movement, the ways of its overcoming and development prospects. Besides meetings with communists we have visited places of interests including the unique natural park “Stolby” [“Pillars”] which has not only natural features but also glorious revolutionary traditions – in 1904-1906 Krasnoyarsk Bolsheviks held their meetings there.

   Novosibirsk. The democrats’ favourite holiday June, 12 was spent fightingly in Novosibirsk. The “United Russia” meeting was taking place at Lenin square and AKM-TR and SKM militants were participating in a communist picket just close to it. Leaflets “Back to USSR!” were distributed at the square including the hostile action and our comrades had to escape from law-enforcement authorities, fortunately, there were no losses. We have also conducted negotiations with the “Labour Russia” and “Officers Union” representatives in Novosibirsk who carry on great theoretical work and hold annual conferences of Siberian communists. We publish a separate information report about the last one taken place in May 2007.

   Omsk. In Omsk we have visited the weekly picket near the monument to the fallen fighters for the Soviet power – the traditional place of communist meetings and left press distribution, we have met ARCPF, RCWP, “Labour Russia”, CPSU representatives, have got acquainted with new young comrades who have expressed their wish to join the AKM-TR. Besides, there is an active confrontation of the minibus drivers’ trade union “Yamschik” [“Coachman”] to the City Hall and the Road Patrol Service which tries to drive them out from their routes using a penalty scheme. We have learnt from our Omsk comrades that just at the night of our arrival one of the trade union leaders Anatoly Golonovsky’s “Gazelle” minibus parked in his yard was burnt down. By comrades’ opinion, the arson was an attempt to intimidate the workers’ leader. The struggle will continue in Omsk.

   Chelyabinsk. In Chelyabinsk we met the militants of the young AKM-TR branch organized recently but growing and strengthening steadily. Among other opposition organizations the People’s Will Army is active in Chelyabinsk and holds weekly information pickets at Revolution square.

   The last thing is some interesting information for a propagandist.

   Here are costs of travel in public ground transport and minibuses in Russian cities:

   Khabarovsk – RUR 10

   Irkutsk – RUR 7 to 10

   Krasnoyarsk – RUR 8

   Novosibirsk – RUR 10 to 12, RUR 11 for metro

   Omsk – RUR 8 to 10

   Chelyabinsk – RUR 8 to 12

   Moscow – RUR 15 to 25, RUR 17 for metro

   We thank sincerely all the comrades who met and welcomed us in Russian cities.

   Maria Donchenko