On February 27, the square in front of the Russian embassy in Washington will be officially named after Boris Nemtsov. The city council of the American capital voted unanimously for it, and even for the acceleration of the process.
Why such a rush and why now? These are rhetorical questions. Here's the Kremlin's reaction.
The President's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov: "The state of bilateral relations between our countries still leaves much to be desired".
It speaks for itself. Washington says that such a move "symbolizes the city's commitment to democracy." They also promise to put a commemorative plaque. And they are ready to spend money from the budget. Well, what is really interesting, is if retaliatory measures are possible.
Some already suggest renaming Novinsky Boulevard in Moscow, where the American diplomatic mission is located, to Edward Snowden Boulevard, or Julian Assange Boulevard.
Anastasia Efimova found out if the situation might come to such moves.
- Hello, Anastasia.
- Hello.
- Why not name it the Confederation Boulevard or South States Boulevard?
- These aren't the politically sharpest suggestions that have been voiced. $60 for production, $110 more for the installation of a plaque "Boris Nemtsov Plaza." Given that 4 plaques are supposed to be installed, the whole renaming action will cost the local budget only $680 which Washington seems to consider a very successful investment.
Dan Kovalik, author of 'The Plot to Scapegoat Russia': "Washington is trying to provoke Russia. as if Russia called the street in front of the US embassy in Moscow after Chelsea Manning or Edward Snowden. The only reason to do that would be to enrage your opponents. So, obviously, Washington is trying to poke a finger into Russia's eyes".
It is not the first time to perpetuate the name of Boris Nemtsov near Russia's embassy overseas. A similar bill has already been submitted to Congress, where it was blocked because it was decided to be too much. But Washington has a dual jurisdiction, that is, it can actually circumvent the legislators' veto. And the lobbyists turned out very active.
Boris Nemtsov's daughter, Zhanna, personally spoke at public hearings. She even brought a plaque "Nemtsov Bridge" with her. Vladimir Kara-Murza was supportive, claiming it was "not a regular plaque, but a message".
Vladimir Kara-Murza, chairman of the Boris Nemtsov Foundation: "I am here today to strongly support the passage of this bill. I can not even express how much this is meaningful. This is a tribute to the memory of a man who lived and sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country. It's also a message, a reminder to the Russian democrats that their struggle will not go unnoticed or forgotten. But for Americans, this is an indicator that Russia is not only the current autocracy, but there are decent Russians like Boris Nemtsov".
The city council supported the renaming unanimously. But not all supported the initiative at the public hearings. A resident of Washington, Jeremy Bigwood, was threatened to have his microphone turned off, but then was given the floor.
Jeremy Bigwood: "I think a person with such a stance as mine wasn't expected at the hearings. It should not have been voiced, the council initially tried not to draw attention to the vote, and arranged this event almost behind the scenes. I heard about the hearings on renaming purely by chance, on the radio. This was a very short message, just an announcement. By the way, I was the only resident of Washington on the list of participants in the hearings. The rest live in other cities, but this is my city! And I do not like it when it is used as a platform for political football".
The US side secured itself against possible retaliatory actions, specifying that it's up to the Russian embassy whether to change the address to Boris Nemtsov Plaza, 1 or leave 2650 Wisconsin Avenue, which is still valid.
Alexander Asafov, political analyst: "Russia is not the only country of the former USSR exposed to such topographic political pressure. There was a Chinese case, when the street near the Chinese embassy was to be named after a dissident, Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo who died in prison. In response, Chinese politicians suggested renaming the square in front of the US embassy in Beijing after Snowden or Osama bin Laden. The issue was over".
Moscow's possible response to the topographic demarche is now a subject of public scrutiny. One option is to name the street after WikiLeaks informant, transgender Chelsea Manning. Another option is to eternalize the Rosenbergs, executed in the 50s for spying for the Soviet Union.
However, the best option was proposed by the State Duma, suggesting giving the US diplomatic mission the address North American Dead End, 1. Washington seems to be unparalleled in its obsessive desire to create dead ends.
- This was Anastasia Efimova on Nemtsov Plaza in Washington.
