Talk With Malashenko: Who Is NTV Voting For?

Without a doubt, [the 41-year-old head of Independent Televion] Igor Malashenko has some secrets to keep. They are the secrets of NTV's success, its financial relations with the legendary MOSTbank and political secrets that have state importance, which he not only knows, but now in part is creating: For some time, Malashenko has become a member of Russian President Boris Yeltsin's pre-election campaign council. Our conversation thus began with the request that we speak frankly.


Where did you find the people who make up the NTV team?


Some came from Vesti, others from Ostankino, under Yegor Yakovlev, when it was possible to put out different information. And then many young people joined. These are completely new people with a different understanding of information. They have never been forced to substitute their views for propaganda; they simply do not know what this is like.


Let's talk about money.


The first to come to us with money was MOSTbank and Mr. Gusinsky, and if it weren't for him, NTV in its present state would not exist. Today, the main source of our financing is revenue from commercials, which, alas, irritate our viewers at times.


You admit, though, that the one who pays calls the tune?


We are paid by advertisers, and they "call" for popular shows.


Your involvement in Yeltsin's electoral campaign council has become something of a sensation. What made you agree to the proposal anyway?


It was a rather difficult decision, but as a result a very fine team of people whom I like was selected, and the personal aspect plays an important role. And although the work is hard, I enjoy working with Viktor Ilyushin, Anatoly Chubais, Sergei Shakhrai ...


It is strange to hear that you are now accused of anti-Yeltsinism. Many people say the very contrary: NTV has become noticeably loyal in relation to Yeltsin.


It is strange that many people are only now saying this. NTV has always had loyal relations with Yeltsin, simply because he is the president of Russia.


I foresee all the possible difficulties if Yeltsin wins, but they are predictable. I met Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov in 1992 during the famous siege of Ostankino. It is difficult to trust people who are allied with Viktor Anpilov and his pogrom organizers. I still remember when [NTV reporter] Oleg Dobrodeyev and I went into the building early in the morning and Anpilov's boys greeted us with cries of "Look, two Yids are going into their synagogue!"


You know, although I am not a Jew, I do not like anti-Semites. Because I know once the Jews are cleared out, then they will come for those in glasses, in hats and with briefcases. And I can know all too well that I fall into the above-mentioned categories.


Argumenty i Fakty, No. 23, June 10-16.


Hello, Caball? Concert?


I agree that one has to be fully armed when meeting with the beautiful. Art must be given its due and should show who is the master of this earth. But on this earth, it is a man with a Remington pistol, cellular telephone and video security -- former members of the Main Intelligence Directorate.


While Montserrat Caball? was clearly demonstrating her perfect singing technique and unique voice to Russians in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, telephones and pagers were sounding and a minister was waving from the balcony to someone in the government. In the middle of the concert, one of the presidential candidates left, accompanied by his retinue. All this was observed with great interest by the head of the department of the fight against organized crime. Where else could you meet with your past, present and future clients in such quantity? The performance of the opera diva was a marvelous background for New Russians to demonstrate their social significance.


The singer was not distracted by the boorish ringing of the cellular phones and pagers. She sang in her characteristic way and showed that in Russia Caball? is Caball?. In the very Russia, where the public was considered to be the best and most grateful in the world.


Izvestia, June 5.





Mayor's Aid Abroad


For officers of the Black Sea Fleet and residents of Sevastopol, Russia has recently become the symbol of hope that help would come. A kindergarten has been built there with money from the Moscow government. Recently, officials from the mayor's office, headed by deputy mayor Vladimir Resin, visited the city with gifts for the children of the sailors.


This is not a one-time measure. Moscow has responded to the despair of the Russian sailors and their families in the Crimea by trying to provide regular social support. This includes building housing for the officers.


"Thank you for not forgetting us." It would be good if these words of thanks on the part of Sevastopol residents were addressed not only to the capital's mayor but to the Russian leadership, which has forgotten about the fate of its compatriots abroad.


Moskovskiye Novosti, June 2-9.