17.04.2008 Italy. Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) and leader of the People of Freedom party Silvio Berlusconi (R) during a joint press-conference at Villa La Certosa.
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
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Vladimir Putin Declared Love
// for all Russian women, and those Italian too
Yesterday Russia’s President Vladimir Putin met with Italy’s next Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at Villa La Certosa and gave a joint press-conference, telling all the truth the journalists wanted to know but hesitated to ask about. Kommersant special correspondent Andrey Kolesnikov reports from Italy.
The journalists were waiting for the beginning of the press-conference in a hall which is used for discos on ordinary days. There was a dancefloor and a stage, and I could even see percussion instruments, covered with cloth so that they appeared less visible.
Still yesterday a real show was to take place at the hall. Not a single briefing of these two men has ever been dull, but it was hard to believe that the break in their joint conferences would be that short (Silvio Berlusconi once more managed to get the most of his people and himself, winning pre-term elections only two years after his government failed).
Italy’s Premier-elect came to the press-conference in his electric cabriolet, which he drove himself. His several advisers and Mr Putin were also in his car, followed by two other vehicles. The whole motorcade resembled a big Italian family who gathered together after they’d parted and who, lead by the father, set off for a seaside after an abundant celebration of the rejoinment. It was almost the case I might say. The day before Vladimir Putin and Silvio Berlusconi had talked till 4 a.m. Mr Putin then said that he had planned his visit before the Premier-elect defeated his rivals in the parliamentary elections, and even before they started.
Vladimir Putin implied that his visit was not to be considered opportunistic. In reality the meaning of such acts lies, among other things, in proposing a meeting at the moment when no one can reproach you with being opportunistic, but no sooner can you learn what it results in than you arrive at the venue.
I was amazed at both Vladimir Putin and Silvio Berlusconi. One would say in such a situation, “There was nothing left of the usual ease.” They were concentrated, and in fact tense. Mr Berlusconi had his famous smile on the face, sparkling with his white teeth, which had gotten even whiter within a year, to Italian female journalists. (I guess his smile can be used effectively only in a toothpaste ad; in all other cases it will look much less impressive for sure.) And had Mr Berlusconi cast his glance at something else, he virtually frowned.
Mr Putin didn’t even have breaks for smile – he was smiling throughout the briefing. At that, it was clear that these two people didn’t have to pretend they were getting on well – they really have no problems in their relations. Why did they behave that way? you may wonder. People behave like that when they, for example, stay up all night without getting enough sleep.
Or maybe they were embarrassed with the rostrum in front of them: It was waist-high, and they couldn’t understand where to put their hands.
Mr Berlusconi stated that he discussed gas supplies with Russia’s president, and the Alitalia issue, in particular the possibility to convene a roundtable for thrashing out its business with Russia’s Aeroflot. Mr Berlusconi acted as a lobbyist of Russian interests, a role he’d gotten accustomed to. Nonetheless it’s not that obvious who will more benefit from the deal – Alitaliaor Aeroflot – should it ever be made.
The first question, in spite of being provocative, was to be expected; day by day more and more papers publish the same canard by some Moscow reporter, tackling the forthcoming wedding of Alina Kabayeva (gymnast) and Vladimir Putin, the divorce of Vladimir Putin and Lyudmila Putina, and the fact that Vladimir Putin’s daughter got married and lives in Munich now.
“Oh!” exclaimed Mr Berlusconi on hearing the question, “Is that true?”
Mr Putin’s answer was more detailed. Obviously, it was hard for him to answer the question. He who after challenged by a French journalist over Chechnya in Brussels recommended that the journalist “have himself circumcised,” here, at the Certosa Villa, was trying to be tactful, measured words and used euphemisms.
“You have uttered no word of truth,” he said denying with that the three assumptions listed.
“You mentioned an article in one of the Russian tabloids featuring the Olympic Champion in rhythmic gymnastics, Alina Kabayeva, and your colleague, anchorwoman, Yekaterina Andreyeva. I need remark that other articles sometimes feature other beautiful and successful women. I think I won’t reveal any secret to you if I say I like them all,” he paused, listening to the applause of Italian journalists and a few old people, who apparently live close to the venue and came here to see the idols of the youth, “just like all Russian women. No one should get offended as I say that Russian women are the most beautiful and talented. Only those Italian can compete on equal terms with them.”
He then said that he knew the meaning of the phrase “all politicians live in glass houses,” and that all people must know what way of life politicians have, “but there is privacy no one has the right to interfere with.”
“I have always treated negatively those who, with their erotic fantasies, meddle in other people’s affairs.”
So to the end of his reply Vladimir Putin got his own self and became more relaxed. He said what he was to say.
At the same time he gave the reason why the affair could be of use. The article turned out to have been published because of the state of stability Russia managed to achieve in the recent years, and the growth in real income within the citizens. In this background “thank God! no one poses questions on Chechnya,” and, unable to raise another hot topic, journalists exaggerate the private life of the President of the Russian Federation.
A question regarding the possibility of canceling the visa regime between Russia and Italy was posed to Mr Berlusconi. But he missed it throwing the Russian delegation into confusion. Obviously, he had something to reveal, and his reply was awaited. But the Premier-elect recalled it as he started answering the next question.
“I am convinced that it is necessary to cancel the visa regime, and I’m taking up the commitment to bring up this question in the EU, since it’s required that all the member-states approve of it.”
Silvio Berlusconi was evasive when answering a straightforward question of an Italian journalist, who must have had some objections to the possible deal of Alitalia and Aeroflot. Silvio Berlusconi said he didn’t rule out the possibility of cooperation with Air France and other companies. So he preferred not to confirm the decision he had made together with Vladimir Putin.
Russia’s president decided to take part in the discussion, too. He was talking of Alitalia like an anti-crisis manager of a company which has already acquired Alitalia, “The matter is not that simple. Debts must be paid off. Sanation is needed. The company must be made profitable. Talks with unions are inevitable.”
At the same time the atmosphere was getting more nervous. The tense impulse was conveyed from Vladimir Putin and Silvio Berlusconi to the journalists. The Italian interpreter messed up words and aroused so much irritation with an Italian journalist, who understood Russian, that he in the end demanded that she be changed with someone else and even taken out of the hall. The Italian journalist spoke quite long, interrupting the miserable girl. And she had to yield to the young man who took up her place for a while.
As soon as the press-conference finished, Silvio Berlusconi rushed to his journalists, and Vladimir Putin remained standing behind the glass door on the green lawn. Finally, the locks opened and the Russian journalists hurried to Vladimir Putin.
A moment later the president was asked whether he had determined the composition of his future government. He answered positively, adding that not only he but Dmitry Medvedev as well decided on the candidates. He answered the question on the structure of the government in a similar way. Vladimir Putin couldn’t help stressing the role of Dmitry Medvedev in his activities.
“They say there will be some 15 or 16 Deputy Prime Ministers in your government,” Anna Nikolayeva of the Vedomosti (The Record) paper said a bit reproachfully, “Is that true?”
Vladimir Putin ignored the reproach, “There might be more than 15 or 16 of them.”
He said that he wouldn’t go to the G8 Summit in Japan (“No, of course, no.”), and that as Prime Minister he will make fewer international visits.
Silvio Berlusconi was there to take Vladimir Putin from the journalists with their questions able to make you sweat in a well-conditioned hall.
Andrey Kolesnikov
All the Article in Russian as of Apr. 19, 2008
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