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May 28, 1999/13 Sivan 5759, Vol. 51, No.35
Russian Jews wary as tycoons regain influence
LEV KRICHEVSKY
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
MOSCOW - Just a few weeks ago, a group of once-influential Russian tycoons and young political reformers, some of whom have Jewish roots, had hit rock bottom. Indeed, two of them were the subject of criminal investigations.
But since Russian President Boris Yeltsin dismissed the government of Yevgeny Primakov and appointed Sergei Stepashin as prime minister earlier this month, these tycoons, who despite varying levels of identification with the Jewish community are associated in the public's eye with Judaism, have leapt back into Russia's chaotic political fray - and onto the radar screens of the country's newspapers and televisions. Jewish leaders, wary of an anti-Semitic backlash, are carefully watching the oligarchs' return to their powerful, behind-the-political-scenes role.
The names appearing most often in the media are Boris Berezovsky, a controversial tycoon with allegedly close ties to Yeltsin's family, and Anatoly Chubais, the leader of the young reformers and a former first deputy prime minister who is now head of the state electrical utility monopoly. Both were openly delighted by Primakov's fall. Berezovsky, who has converted to Christianity, is open about his Jewish roots; Chubais is not.
The change in Berezovsky's status has been particularly noticeable. Only one month ago, the man often referred to as Russia's "modern-day Rasputin" narrowly escaped arrest on corruption charges and was forced to stay out of the country. A warrant for his arrest was later lifted.
Another figure whose name often appeared on front-page articles in the past two weeks is Vladimir Goussinsky, a media mogul and the president of the Russian Jewish Congress. Goussinsky traditionally keeps a low profile, yet he is believed to have recently formed an alliance with Berezovsky to have his business interests represented by some of the key figures in the new government.
Stepashin, 47, a staunch ally of Yeltsin, was responsible for much of the military operation in Russia's southern breakaway republic of Chechnya in which Russia lost tens of thousands of its citizens. Stepashin said he would keep the backbone of the previous government, but he is likely to dismiss the Communist ministers brought in by Primakov.
After the lower house of Parliament, which is dominated by the Communists, approved his nomination last week, Stepashin said his government would fight economic crime and vowed to take bold steps to implement economic reforms and to fight the crime and corruption that have plagued Russia since the collapse of Communism.
A tough-talking, round-faced man who does not belong to any party, Stepashin has been in politics since 1990. He was first deputy prime minister and interior minister under Primakov. Some analysts here argue that he is merely a transitional figure, while others say Yeltsin has picked him to be his political heir in the 2000 presidential elections.
According to some, Berezovsky's influence is already being felt. On May 22, Yeltsin appointed Vladimir Rushailo to the key post of interior minister. Russian media have described both Rushailo and newly appointed First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Aksyonenko as "tools" of Berezovsky. Rushailo has denied having any links with Berezovsky, and Stepashin denies any outside force influenced him in his choices.
Meanwhile, Jewish leaders are maintaining a low profile on the issue. But they note that Stepashin visited the Choral Synagogue, Moscow's main synagogue, last year to discuss the restitution of Jewish property, most importantly the fate of the dozens of Torah scrolls, which are now stored in state archives and museums.
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