Anarchy or democracy for Russia?

When a country that has known centuries of tyranny prepares to elect its leader freely for the first time, there is bound to be some political turbulence. The question in Russia is whether the volatility can be contained.

Russia's political leaders have not helped by warning of civil war and other extreme consequences if next month's presidential elections leave the country divided.

Passions are understandably running high. Russians face critical questions about the nature of their society and economy in choosing a president, and there is no democratic tradition to guarantee a civil continuation or transfer of power.

Even the most stable democracy would be tested by the political fault lines in Russia and the staggering problems left by seven decades of Communist rule. Boris Yeltsin's supporters see the election of Gennadi Zyuganov, the Communist candidate, as a repudiation of reform and a return to dictatorship. Zyuganov followers equate the reelection of Yeltsin with domestic dislocation and international disgrace. The two men are expected to top the first round of voting in June and face one another in a runoff election this summer.

But rather than debating their differences responsibly, and stressing the importance of national unity and the rule of law whatever the election results, the presidential candidates are aggravating the divisions. They have carelessly created a climate where violence may follow disappointment in natural progression. If the election is to be a step toward democracy rather than anarchy, Russia's leaders need to agree on some basic ground rules.

There should be no further discussion about postponing or canceling the election. Yeltsin was quick this week to debunk the suggestion of Maj. Gen. Aleksandr Korzhakov, his chief bodyguard and confidant, that the elections be put off. But Yeltsin said, "Korzhakov is not alone in thinking that a Zyuganov victory would start a civil war". That is hardly the way to calm a country with a fondness for melodrama, and the comment could even be interpreted as a threat to block Zyuganov from taking office if he wins.

A group of Russian businessmen, obviously more concerned about their commercial interests than the future of Russian democracy, has urged cancellation of the election and formation of a coalition government, presumably led by Yeltsin and Zyuganov. Alternatively, they favor creation of an emergency state council to govern Russia for two to five years.

Democratic elections do not always produce enlightened leaders, nor do they necessarily heal bitter divisions. But they are the anchor of a democratic society, and the judgment of voters must be respected. A Communist victory at the ballot box, however disturbing to Russian reformers and their supporters in the West, is not the same as an armed seizure of power.

What Russia needs is not an escape from elections but a strong public commitment from all candidates to honor the results, to conduct a peaceful transition to a new government or a second Yeltsin administration, and to pursue their interests democratically now and in the future.

-- The New York Times