Kasparov Plays Down Russian Opposition Divisions

Garry Kasparov says Other Russia needs to step up its activities in Russia's regions (file) (AFP) MOSCOW, July 10, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Russian opposition politician Garry Kasparov says emerging divisions in the Other Russia movement are natural as it moves from staging street protests to preparing for the upcoming election season.

In a July 9 interview with RFE/RL's Russian Service, Kasparov said Other Russia was moving "from words to deeds" as elections approach.

Former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov left Other Russia on July 2, prior to the group's conference in Moscow on July 7-8.

Kasparov said Kasyanov wanted to be named Other Russia's presidential candidate while other members wanted a free competition.

Kasparov said Other Russia needed to step up its activities in the regions.

He outlined a plan to hold a series of regional conferences, followed by a national congress that would nominate a unified opposition presidential candidate.

"Today, we are drafting a proposal for convening [regional] conferences," he said. "And I expect that in the next two weeks we will coordinate it with regional activists, not only of our organization, but also of many other organizations that work with Other Russia in the regions in order to be able to hold 45 conferences in August and September which will be followed by a congress."

Kasparov criticized Kasyanov for seeking a "predictable" process for selecting a presidential candidate.