This is a short description of contacts with members of Russian State Duma, realized by Kirill Shulika during the last week.
* Sergej KOVALEV (independent) is a well-known human rights activist. He signed both appeals (Nobel for Wei and Wang, as well as for moratorium in 1998). For what concerns possible enrollment, Kovalev told that it is unacceptable for him now. The aim of all the actions undertaken by Radical Party is only a scandal, like in case of Greenpeace, he said. He also told, that Radical Party must conduct the campaign against death penalty "by a more modest way, because it wasn't Radical Party who started this campaign".
* Konstantin BOROVOJ (independent) has also signed both appeals. It's necessary to mark that in the past he was active to collect adhesions under the appeal for Wei also among his colleagues in the Duma. He also was at our disposal for preparing his formal letters to the prosecutor's office in favour of conscientious objectors. Thus, he demonstrated his ability to collaborate with us at least in two campaigns.
Mr. Borovoj told also some interesting things about reaction in Duma on our mailing with d'Ancona report. The letter and the report were debated on the Council of State Duma. After receiving this letter some of members of the health care committee started immediately to elaborate new amendments to the drug law (already signed by president on January 8) in order to introduce more harsh measures for use and possession of drugs.
* Valerij BORSCEV (Jabloko) already during several last years is a member of Radical Party and ARA. Of course, he signed both appeals. His main engagements now are draft law on alternative civilian service and draft law on moratorium on executions in Russia, which would be presented in Duma again (approximately in the late February), but now from the name not only of him and Julij Rybakov, but also of Dzasohov, Poldnikov and Zorkalcev. Borscev promised to join formally both the party and ARA on the next week.
* Aleksandr DZASOHOV (Communist Party) was not very friendly. He refused to sign even the appeal for moratorium in 1998. He told, he is in favour of death penalty. The only reason why he is co-sponsor of moratorium draft law in Duma is that he is chief of Russian delegation in PACE and he feels a sort of political obligation to contribute in fulfillment of Russia's commitment in Council of Europe.
* Viktor SHEJNIS (Jabloko) and Viktor KUROCHKIN (independent) signed for Nobel prize to Wei and Wang. They both refused to sign the second appeal (for moratorium in 1998), motivating it by their "uncertain attitude to the death penalty problem". They also told, they are not able to join Radical Party, however are ready to collaborate on certain campaigns. Viktor Shejnis, as somebody could remember, has taken part in the 37 Congress in Rome, but yet at that time refused to join the party.
* Jurij NESTEROV (Jabloko) vice versa signed only for moratorium in 1998, refusing to support Wei and Wang, because the situation seems to him not completely clear. He also told, now he is not ready to discuss enrollment to the party.
* Igor LUKASHEV (Jabloko) has shown the biggest readiness for collaboration in all the fields, including assistance to create a local group of RP and ARA activists among his personal and political friends in Volgograd, a city where he has been elected. However, he refused to join, stating that he never was member of "any party or public association, including even Jabloko" (that's true, he is member only of parliamentarian group, not of Jabloko association).