* ARA cries "Hurrah!"

EVERYBODY TO FIGHT ROKHLIN!

by Aleksandr Mitrofanov

The same day when Rokhlin founded his opposition movement, another meeting took place - the session of leading bodies of the Antimilitarist Radical Association. "It happened occasionally but symbolically," commented recently Valerij Borscev, one of ARA leaders and deputy of the State Duma.

Until recently ARA was mainly known for its desperate struggle for the alternative civilian service law and against the war in Chechnya. Besides, ARA is famous for defending military men against "dedovschina", beatings and criminal persecutions supposedly for violations of laws. Now Radical antimilitarists declared war against general Lev Rokhlin. In other words, according to the secretary of ARA Nikolaj Khramov, they decided to withstand the consolidation of revenge, communist and militarist forces, whose banner became today Lev Jakovlevich [Rokhlin].

It is generally known that the heart of Rokhlin bleeds over the destiny of Russian army. However, some people do not believe it. The point is that in the shortest time this distinguished general made a too steep turn by passing to the opposition camp and becoming a favorite hero of military and Communist leaders of bad reputation. According to MP Valerij Borscev, all Rokhlin's declarations about defence of the interests of the army are an "outrageous lie". In fact, creation of an anti-presidential movement is a merely political action. However, according to ARA, Rokhlin himself "is not suited for a leader". There are "serious forces" behind him, antimilitarists believe. These forces continue to think in an out of today way, constantly waiting for a "foreign aggression", considering many states of the world "potential enemies" and preparing themselves to a war against all those enemies. That's why they are interested in keeping a huge quantity of troops and at the same time they never worry about hungry soldi

ers and homeless officers that Russian state cannot maintain anymore just because the state itself has no funds for it.

ARA militants call democratic society to unite and to resist militarist ambitions of Rokhlin and of all his friends who are more refined in politics. We have already accumulated experience of such consolidation - just think about manifestations of protest against Chechen war. Besides, antimilitarists decided to write off the rebellious general. They have already lodged a claim at the General Office of the Public Prosecutor in which they accuse Rokhlin of violating several articles of the Criminal Code. In this claim they also mention his scandalous appeal to military men in which in fact he called them to come out against present day authorities. ARA militants believe that Rokhlin has violated article 279 ("armed revolt"), article 30 ("preparing a crime and attempting a crime") and article 33 ("instigation"). We demand the General Prosecutor to investigate these circumstances. As Nikolaj Khramov communicated yesterday to the journalists, representatives of the Prosecutor's office promised to "begin legal pro

cedure" after this claim.

It seems that democratic forces in the State Duma also have to unite in order to neutralize Rokhlin. Many deputies are worried by "Rokhlin problem". The first vice-speaker Vladimir Ryzhkov declared yesterday: "We pay too much attention to this general". According to Ryzhkov, instead of preparing laws the Committee headed by Rokhlin gets deeper and deeper in politics. That also explains "tension between parliament and president".

Next Friday Duma will discuss the possibility of substituting Rokhlin as the head of Defence Committee by somebody else. NDR (Nash Dom Rossiya) parliament group is going to back up Roman Popkovich. As it is generally known, according to the agreement among deputies all posts of heads of Duma Committees are distributed among different parliament groups. Rokhlin betrayed his group and, therefore, he has to leave his post. However, Rokhlin is not that simple. He has his particular conception of honor and duty.

Rokhlin strolls around the Duma with a very contented air. When somebody asks him about the possibility of dismissal, he smiles: "Putting a problem does not mean solving it". He does not even try to hide that he is absolutely sure that oppositional groups support him. At the congress of the movement he leads he has definitely became close linked with communists. What will happen if he has to leave his post? Rokhlin is sure that in this case he will not remain without work. Lev Jakovlevich is so busy with building his party that even now "the night is too short" for him.

P.S. When this issue was sent to the press, it was communicated that Duma deputies decided to keep Rokhlin as the head of Defence Committee.