On Jan 29th a feature on the above was published in the
newspaper "
The Moscow Times". We publish author's translation of the
article.
On Jan 31st an
article on this subject appeared in reputable German magazine "Der
Spiegel" (translated is available on the website
"Inopressa").
Today "Kommersant-Dengi" has issued an article "Unwrecked
Russia", that reveals new details of the story.
The article quotes a letter of Mr Malyushin, Deputy Head of
Presidential Property Department of the Russian Federation, who
threatened everyone who will spread information about Department's
relation to the construction in Utrish:
"Moreover, I am bringing it to your attention, that the Fund
"Dar", the renter of the specified ground area of the forestry
fund, addressed a number of organizations under the Main
Directorate of the Capital Construction of the Presidential
Property Management Department of the Russian Federation, and,
taking into account its profound construction experience in
Krasnodarsky Krai, asked for assistance in execution of the project
on construction of recreation objects that would be a part of the
fund "Dar"'s property."
Earlier, Head of Presidential Property Management Department
gave an interview on the radio station "Echo Moskvy" and stated the
following: "As far as I know, there is a private object on a small
piece of land that is under execution of one of the numerous
funds."
However, none of the officials ever gave explanations on the
source of information that the initiator of Utrish construction is
the Presidential Property Department; as well as why this
information appeared in official documents; what is the origin of
the project of sports and recreation complex that is supposed to be
approved by Presidential Property Department. Before the verdict is
in, second time this month arson was committed on the territory of
the reserve. It obviously plays into hands of those who want to
prove the necessity for construction of fire-prevention road and a
resort to preserve unique Utrish forests.
Meanwhile, attempts to set on fire the reserve "Bolshoi Utrish"
are laid down by campaigners of "Save Utrish". Protests are raised
all over the country. Advocates of "Save Utrish" plan to hold a
mass meeting in Moscow on the 20th.
"Regardless of who is a real originator of the construction
plans for Utrish, existence of such plans only debases political
image of Russian ultimate authority in the eyes of Russian and
international public opinion", said Mikhail Kreyndlin, head of
Greenpeace Russia program on specially protected natural areas. "In
such situations, the best way out would be to make a decision as
soon as possible on creation of a true natural reserve on Utrish
without excluding the most valuable territory which is now meant
for construction of sports and recreation complex and roads to
it."