|
 Difficult and responsible
is the role of an oligarch in the modern Russia. It is necessary to keep an eye
on everything - on economy, politics and public sentiments. You should watch
lest they would strike there and if they would behave themselves correctly
here, make agreements with everybody in time and wouldn't offend anybody. At
the same time you must keep looking at neighboring countries. Oh, how unwise
they are! They aim at acting in their own way. Who has permitted? Who has
ordered? You have hit upon this idea yourselves? It is all for nothing... One
must not think oneself; there are bright heads of oligarchs meant for it. They
have already decided for everyone.
Oleg Deripaska is one of the most outstanding representatives of the new
Russian business-elite. With being included in the Forbes ratings for many
years, this man is absorbing everybody's attention by his words and deeds. He
became the example for many.
Deripaska has shown
remarkable entrepreneurial skills from the studentship. There exists either an
anecdote or fairy-tale until now about how Oleg managed to sell dozens of tons
of sugar to a big government organization. In 1990th he knew well
how to enjoy all advantages that the new Russian state and legislation gave
him. As a result, a powerful industrial and investment empire was
established. Moreover, Deripaska has always been loyal to the authorities so as
to possess their support, protection and administrative resources. He
didn't follow the path of Gusinsky, Berezovsky and Hodorkovsky. There are such
people as Choubais and Abramovich among his friends and partners. He married
the daughter of Valentin Yumashev, Polina. He could not make his choice by
accident.
Oleg Deripaska is very sensitive to public opinion and takes every possibility
to give it the required vector. Here is the direct quotation from a mass media
source: «I'm interested in two things - product advertising and guaranteed
possibility to express my point of view». Perhaps that was the reason why in
1999 the oligarch decided to found his own media holding. Besides, he had a
hand in publication of «The Vremia Novostey» newspaper. Restless rumors insist
that Oleg bought the development of The Effective Politics Fund of Gleb
Pavlovsky - network newspaper «Gazeta.Ru». Not without his participation, the
closed joint stock company «The Six Channel» was established in 2002.
During Vladimir Putin's presidency, Deripaska brought himself to the forefront.
He became an irreplaceable assistant and adviser of the authorities in many economic
issues. Practically always he accompanied the head of state in his visits to
former USSR Central Asiatic republics. The oligarch has a deliberate interest
to this region. Cheap labor and unstable economic and political situation that
frightens off rival investors from far abroad are very attractive for
Deripaska. For example, he could put his eye on the aluminum plant in
Tajikistan. Unstable public sentiments are not obstacles for him. According to
Deripaska, business management system that was built up correctly would
influence and even form the local authorities; and further on direct the state
of public opinion. Here is an adopted variant of the US democracy
expansion in the Third world countries.
Deripaska is the author of the program article «Russia's strategy in 21 century»,
the gist of which is in the transition of economy from «offshore to
onshore state». Vladimir Putin more than once noted the oligarch's personal and
remarkable contribution to the Russian economy, both by his deeds and his money,
how to do without it. The interaction of the authorities and large-scale
business in the person of Deripaska was adjusted long ago, it must work without
fail. For example, it is necessary to invest any money to improvement of
education among state officials. No problem! The oligarch's private fund «Volnoe
delo» puts up 5 million dollars to the Moscow State University Higher
Management School. The reverse may also be true. The head of Plekhanov Academy
submitted an application to the President about the changing of management form
in order to acquire the status of an independent organization. Oleg Deripaska
was ready to become its partner, naturally, for a round sum.
Such close connection between the authorities and Deripaska has given cause for
rumors that the oligarch is a figure-head. They say, all his property is the
property of the state; and the pseudo-oligarch is a
top-manager successfully hired at the beginning of 1990th.
An important event took place in Oleg's life not long ago. He pulled out the
title of the richest man in Russia from Roman Abramovich. He also took an
attempt to win off the governor of the Chukot region at a football ground.
Deripaska hold negotiations for buying the control stock of London's
football club «Arsenal». However, he failed. London seems to be too small for
two oligarchs.
Natalia Rudenko
|
