Russia's intolerance

Former Gen. Alexander Lebed, a rising figure in Russian politics, this week has given the world a view of that side of his character that has long made him unpalatable to Russian liberals. Speaking to an assembly of "patriotic" -- which in Russia these days too often means xenophobic and intolerant -- organizations, he vowed to rid Russia of foreign religions, including Mormonism, which he termed "mold and scum." He listed the three traditional religions of Russia as Orthodox Christianity, Buddhism and Islam, pointedly omitting Judaism. When a Cossack arose and asked a question in a deferential manner, Lebed said, "You say you are a Cossack. Why do you speak like a Jew?"

No one should need reminding that Jews have been a part of Russia for centuries and remain so in large numbers today -- nor that antisemitism and pogroms have a tradition almost as long. Lebed, who finished third in recent presidential voting, has now joined the campaign team of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who faces a runoff against the second-place finisher, Communist Gennady Zyuganov, next Wednesday.

The strategy of the newly combined Yeltsin-Lebed team is evidently to go for the "patriotic" voters who shunned Yeltsin in the first round. Since the president won only 35 percent, the strategy is understandable, and aspects of Lebed's platform -- including his appeals for military reform, law and order and economic reform -- have merit.

But the tactic of inflaming prejudice does not. The Yeltsin era has not been a bad time for Russia's Jews (the dark-skinned peoples of the Caucasus have come in for more abuse) and he has spoken out for tolerance, in marked contrast to Soviet leaders. But Lebed's comments are not the only worrying sign of a recent change. The Jewish Agency, a quasi-official Israeli organization that helps Jews emigrate and provides social and cultural services to those who choose to stay, has seen its offices closed down and its work impeded by the Foreign Ministry, which still refuses to spell out any legal justification.

The world is watching for clues to what kind of Russia will emerge from the presidential election. The antisemitism and venomous intolerance of many of Zyuganov's backers are well known. It would be a deep disappointment to see Yeltsin allow some in his camp to ladle out the same poison.

-- The Washington Post