-----Original Message-----
From: Postgraduates in Slavonic and East European Studies
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Chris Armbruster
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:18 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: European University at St. Petersburg requests support
I forward below a letter from Nikolai Vakhtin, Rector of the European
University at St. Petersburg, characterizing the university's current
situation and asking for assistance from colleagues.
As you may recall from an earlier announcement on this list, EUSP was
temporarily closed last week (11 Feb. 2008) for "fire violations". The
university responded immediately and cooperatively with the fire inspector's
office and the court, correcting many of the violations, and its case was
brought back into court today (18 Feb. 2008).
EUSP was hoping the court would allow them to reopen; instead, the court
ordered the university to be closed for 90 days.I draw particular attention
to Vakhtin's plea in his letter not to politicize this, which would cause
greater harm to EUSP. An example of a letter of support (in Russian)
delivered in a measured tone can be seen on the website of
Fontanka.ru:http://www.fontanka.ru/2008/02/13/082/
You can follow the latest developments in this situation at the following
links:
http://kommersant.com/p851415/Vote_observer_university/http://www.moscowtime
s.ru/stories/2008/02/12/012.html
And for those who read Russian, you can see the university's own press
releases:
http://www.eu.spb.ru/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=682&Itemid=12
1
----- Original Message -----
From: Nikolay Vakhtin <[log in to unmask]>
Dear friends,
The court decision today was negative. This means that activities of EUSP
are still suspended. We discussed the state of affairs down here and
decided to ask for your support, and ask you to undertake whatever actions
you may think proper.
Please, do all you think might help EUSP. It may take the form of press
interviews or petitions to St. Petersburg city or other authorities. The
only thing to avoid is excessive (and primitive)politicization - like the
caption NYTimes used. Whoever is now playing this political card trying to
position EUSP as a dissident organization is doing harm to the EUSP. T
he problem is that all violations that fire service has found in our
building are quite real - same as in any other building in St.Petersburg.
Today in court they could let the court take favorable decision. They did
not - we do not know why. We do not have any facts confirming political
reasons or hidden interests, although the pattern of multiple committees
that suddenly decided to inspect us prompts the version of an orchestrated
pressure against EUSP.
The irony is that Dmitrii Medvedev, the main contender for next presidency,
made the rule of law his central theme, specifically targeting his campaign
against selective application of laws. Moreover,administrative measures are
being used against one of the most advanced and innovative educational
institutions, which, again, goes against the whole spirit of M's election
campaign. To sum up, any reasonable steps are very welcome. Extreme actions
can harm us but confident voice of the civil society can only help. We will
keepyouposted on the latest developments. Let us know if you need extra info
oranything from us.
You are free to forward this letter to whoever you think might help.
Thank you.
Nikolai Vakhtin
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