Echoes of Degestansky war only have muffled recently the grandiose scandal which has received in the western press the loud name "Kremlengejt" which in a basis has shaken foundations of the Russian democracy in Moscow. To the civilised world have explained, that at the power in the Post-Soviet countries the corrupted officials stay. The civilised world in turn has shown us safe technologies of destruction of political competitors.
For the first time about corruption in the higher offices of the Kremlin have started talking in the beginning of year when the Russian Office of Public Prosecutor has spent a series of searches in the Administrative office of the president of the Russian Federation and on apartment at most Paul Borodina operating affairs. The documents connected with reconstruction of the Kremlin which was spent by the building company “Mabetex prodzhekt endzhiniring”, belonging to the Albanian businessman Bexhet Pakolini were withdrawn. Check was spent on the basis of data of the Swiss Office of Public Prosecutor which has suspected Borodino and more 23 Kremlin officials of corruption communications with Pakolini and "Mabetex".
In August the Italian newspaper “Korera della sulphur” has published a series of scandalous articles from which followed, that "Mabetex" has earned on reconstruction of the Kremlin millions dollars for the bill of unjustified overestimate of cost of jobs (as an example the armchair in cost in a half-million of dollars was resulted). The part of this money has ostensibly gone on bribes to the Russian officials. The basic points of business untwisted by the Swiss law enforcement bodies to contain in the statement of the main witness "Kremlengejta" of the former representative of Italian “Banquo del Gottardo” in Moscow Felipe Turovera: company "Mabetex" emitted in this bank a credit card “Amerikan the express train” addressed to Boris Yeltsin and two cards "evrokard" addressed to his daughters Elena Okulovoj and Tatyana Dyachenko, and also has translated one million dollars for Yeltsin to the bill in the Budapest bank. Besides the credit cards of the Borodino emitted Zurich kantonalnym by the bank, with the bill from 2 to 11 million dollars have emerged.
Protagonists of history completely deny the participation in corruption, the Kremlin supply manager is going to to bring an action against "Career", however court of Geneva has excited criminal case against the Borodino for money-laundering and bribes, and the Minister of Finance of the USA has demanded to suspend crediting of Russia till the end of investigation on this business. The general public prosecutor of the Russian Federation Jury Skuratov who was engaged in business "Mabetex" in Moscow, have tried to send in resignation, however its powers have been confirmed by Federal meeting.
In parallel world press untwists scandal round American Bank of NewYork which even more often name “a huge washing machine” for money-laundering of "Russian mafia”. Throughout 1998 through this bank it has been ostensibly washed about 15 billion dollars. As to an origin of these capitals, opinions disperse. There is an assumption, what is it not that other, as the stolen parts of the Russian credits of IMF though official representatives of Fund categorically deny it. According to other version, this money belongs to the Russian oligarchs and some high-ranking state officials who have welded on capitals on August crisis, having dumped the day before the packages of state credit obligations. Anatoly Chubays, Alexander Livshits and Tatyana Dyachenko's surnames name.
The western press asserts, that operation on money-laundering was spent under the control of the known businessman from the former USSR Simeon Mogilevicha living in Budapest of the native of Ukraine whom name “the king of a red mafia”. FBI considers Mogilevicha as the head of one of the largest mafia structures which carries out frauds of milliard scale. Itself Mogilevich at all denies as the participation in washing up of "Russian money”, and to the criminal world in general. In interview to "the Moscow member of the Komsomol” he has named FBI reports to which the press refers, “career tricks of some agents of FBI”. Mogilevich sees in all this history political underlying reason and intrigues of competitors on business. He considers improbable the fact of money-laundering in such scales through the American bank system.
Though in reliability of the facts "Kremlengejta" many doubt, existence of similar large-scale frauds on the post-Soviet territory, and in particular Ukraine, it is possible to consider as an objective reality. A classical example - the well-known Swiss modular small houses bought by the government of Paul Lazarenko for needs of the Cabinet. The sum of the contract with Swiss firm GHP Corporation on delivery of six small houses has made almost one and a half million dollars. By estimations of parliamentary committee on struggle against corruption and the organised crime the direct damage of the state from contract realisation has made almost one million dollars. The big resonance has called in due time scandal round restoration of a palace "Ukraine" and a Kreschatik. In particular, with a parliamentary tribune suspicions in considerable overestimate of cost of the done jobs and the over-expenditure of budgetary funds repeatedly expressed.
On the other hand the fact of existence of certain schemes on swapping on the West as Russian and Ukrainian capitals does not raise the doubts. In April, 1999 the Swiss government has let out the memorandum in which participation in money-laundering of the former Ukrainian prime minister is proved. According to the document, means for Lazarenko's abacus in Swiss banks Credit Swiss and SCS Alliance occurred from execution of contracts, the gain from which did not come back to Ukraine. Money from bills of some companies in these banks was translated to Lazarenko's personal bills, and then on bills in the banks located on islands Antiguas and the Bahamas. The Russian experts in the field of the finance state fear, that disclosing of these schemes is substituted automatically under blow by some Russian companies of using same banks. “ The Moscow member of the Komsomol ”, in particular, specifies, that the similar scheme used the Russian Open Society"United Power Systems"at sale of actions of the Russian enterprises through company" RAIN-DRAIN "with use of the correspondent bill in Credit Swiss. Authors of the publication assume, that in the same way under suspicion the set of transactions with actions of such Russian companies, as“ Orenburgneftegaz "," Purneftegaz "," Irkutskenergo ”and tens others can get. There is also an assumption what exactly Lazarenko became the key figure which has given to Swiss public prosecutor Charles del Pontus a key to disclosing of schemes of financial streams from the former USSR.
Observers unequivocally connect scandals round a family of the Russian president with coming nearer elections, and not only in Russia, but also in the United States.
Already obviously, what exactly on disclosing of communications of representatives of present administration of the White house, and first of all the most probable promoted worker from Albert Gora's Democratic party, with the corrupted officials of the Kremlin the republicans will build the pre-election attack, aspiring to return itself a presidential post. Recently zamgossekretarja the USA Stroub Talbott in interview “New York tajms” directly recognised, that Clinton administration always realised about corruption scales Russia. The American state officials do not deny, that States deliberately shut eyes to the facts of export of the Russian capital not to undermine cooperation between two countries in questions of the international safety.
At the same time scandal plays on a hand of the Russian opposition, first of all to Evgenie Primakov as whom consider as the main opponent of protege Yeltsin Vladimir Putin. Some people from a Yeltsin environment even consider, what exactly Primakov stands up for raskruchivaniem corruption scandals round a family of the president though it is difficult to present that influence of its friends from the Russian special services extended and on law enforcement bodies of Switzerland and the USA.
It is obvious, that waves of scandals round corruption in the countries of the former USSR anyhow will mention also Ukraine. It is not excluded, that campaigns on deskriditatsii political competitors on elections will be built on nakatannoj in Russia to the scheme compromising evidence "plum" when the scandalous information initially emerges in the western mass-media, and in a consequence is reprinted by the domestic. In this context it is possible to consider again lifted Grigory Omelchenko's by parliamentary group "Antimafia" a theme of the Belgian bills of the adviser of president Alexander Volkova. However, the Belgian law enforcement bodies considerably concede in activity Swiss and publications in the Belgian press with a mention of surnames of the Ukrainian officials have no international resonance. Nevertheless, it is possible to expect succession of events in this connection in a press surnames Luchansky still will be repeatedly named, Birshtejna, Mogilevicha and some other well-known people in a binding to names of known Ukrainian politicians and businessmen.
The published documents testify also that Mogilevich has the branched out business in Russia and Ukraine. Besides a network of the enterprises and night clubs in Moscow and Kiev it supervises the stream of contraband which is passing through airport "Sheremetyevo", writes Village Voice. Also activity of one of firms Mogilevicha Arigon Ltd in Ukraine is mentioned. In 94-95 years it delivered mineral oil and diesel fuel for the Ukrainian railways. All transactions, the newspaper specifies, were carried out through close to Mogilevichu person Vakhtang Ubiriju who names the lieutenant of a mafia.
49-year-old Vakhtang Ubiriju, the deputy director of the State centre of complex transport service "gostransobsluzhivanie", whose office is located nearby to the Kiev railway station, considers itself as the influential person. To it it is frequent obrashchajutsja behind council as he speaks, “practically everything, up to government officials”. It does not deny, that for a long time a sign with Mogilevichem:
- We have met very much for a long time, in the childhood together went to sport centre "Спартак" on the Hem in Kiev. I was engaged in a bar, and Mogilevich - struggle. Since then at us the friendship was fastened. Later we together earned the first money for contract works - built roads, farms in areas. Co-operative movement has then begun. The first co-operative society which was called "Vnukovo", Mogilevich has organised in the late eighties in Moscow, and I in Kiev have opened co-operative society “Vnukovo №1”. In those days we always were together. Then in the early nineties he has gone abroad to Israel, and then to Hungary. We began to meet less often, 1-2 times a year. Since then we do not have joint affairs - only friendly relations. The warmest friendly relations.
In general Mogilevich very hospitable person, sympathetic. If someone from its friends had a trouble, it always the first came to the aid. It very sociable, very clever. I in all with it consulted - and then, and now. I did not hear, that about him someone ever badly responded.
- The western press responds about him not so well. It consider as one of the largest leaders of Russian mafia, and you name its partner.
- That write about Mogileviche is a delirium. The person who has written it - he either the patient, or the addict, or to it nothing to earn on bread, except how to invent fables more. The truth there – only its surname and a name. Also only mine the surname and a name are named correctly. And it is more absolute anything. Certainly, this scandal was reflected in its business reputation. But the one who well knows it, not begins to pay to it attention.
That it the leader of any grouping is a nonsense. You imagine, that such the believing Jew. When I by a youth invited him to hunting, he refused, because in a life did not hold the weapon in hands.
- Write also, that at Mogilevicha - the business in Ukraine and Russia...
- In Ukraine at Mogilevicha there is nothing, except a tomb of the father, mother and sister. Yes here still I here remained as its friend. That at it ostensibly in Kiev the network of night clubs is all nonsenses. In Russia at it too anything is not present. Now he constantly lives in Hungary. As far as I know, recently he was engaged in agriculture: bought grain, ground a flour, packaged and sold. He very good economist, is able to dispose of profit. The person not because is rich, that earns, and because much, that correctly distributes resources. Whether it is rich Mogilevich - I do not know, but, in my opinion, it is well off.
- And how you have got on the railway?
- I the railwayman by training. When Ukraine became independent, the railway has appeared in a difficult situation. Very few people was able to work in the conditions of the market. Have invited me, as having a certain experience. I went abroad as the first authorised representative from the Ukrainian railway. So my career has begun.
- In FBI report contracts on delivery by firm Mogilevicha of fuel for the Ukrainian railways are mentioned.
- When in 94th year I worked in the Main fuel management of the railway, the situation with fuel was awful. Deliveries for us carried out 30 firms. However I remember, that the best conditions were offered us by firm Arigon Ltd. They delivered fuel for 4-5 dollars more cheaply, than at the London stock exchange, on 30 % is cheaper, than across Ukraine and on 30 % - across the CIS. Besides they were unique who did not ask an advance payment, and on the contrary granted a delay on payments. Whether stood behind this firm Mogilevich, I do not know. Our partners I knew only on papers. It can and was among founders, and can and is not present. Personally with it on this question I did not work.
- And you are engaged in business?
- By the Ukrainian legislation, each citizen, except statesmen, has the right to be engaged in business. The Ukrainian railway is a self-supporting organisation. In commercial activity at us the general director has not the right to be engaged only. At me the big practice of co-operative movement. Certainly, at me the business in sphere of trade, a foodstuff and so on is adjusted. Fuel and in general the activity connected with railways, I am not engaged.
In due time I also concerned "Express bank" creation. Necessity for him has arisen in connection with transition of the railway to self-financing. The economic system is that, that each branch is compelled to have the bank for centralisation of calculations. People who were engaged in bank creation, unfortunately, have appeared not so good experts. Even criminal case has been raised. "Have slapped" how to be spoken, them on false documents. For today in Ukraine there are 125 commercial banks. Now "Express bank" among them has very good financial indicators.
- How the banker, whether you can comment on efficiency of the scheme of "washing up" of the Russian money through the American banks about which the foreign press writes?
- I do not believe in existence of any financial schemes on "washing up" of money in foreign banks, especially, when it is a question of billions. There can be a situation when money is abroad paid, and the goods therefrom have not come how to be spoken, "have thrown". Such situations happened. I at all do not understand this term - “to launder money”. I a little bit understand commerce. But that it is simple, took and have taken away, so does not happen. Money cannot disappear. Any operations are checked. Figures are figures. Bank operations money to "wash" it is impossible. On it it is possible unless slightly to earn.
- But there are real examples both in Russian, and in the Ukrainian history...
- All inflate more than is actually. Now in Ukraine the "shadow" economy practically is not present. As to various variants of leaving from taxes even in the West it is absolutely normal thing. To it even specially learn - as correctly, lawful by, to reduce taxes.
- Yes, but after all the press refers to FBI report in which there is a speech about concrete offences...
- Mogilevicha, neither me, nor other people mentioned in these publications never called neither in FBI, nor in one other law enforcement body. The Hungarian special services have already confirmed, that to this person have no claims. It easy goes worldwide. If something was, him for a long time already would arrest. When there was article in which my name was mentioned, I have gone to the American embassy. To me have suggested not to pay to this attention simply. I wanted even in court a tax, but have decided not to get into this dirty business. It seems to me, that this scandal, it is called by politics tricks. There is a pre-election campaign in Ukraine, will soon begin in Russia. It is favourable to Someone to blacken the operating power and there, here again.
- Village Voice directly names you the lieutenant of a mafia.
- They have degraded me (shows on epaulets with general stars) – I the general. Not clearly only, where this mafia...
- You have told, that Mogilevich is well off. And how you estimate the well-being?
- I too am well off. Not bad I am able to consider money. At us all family economists. I know, how much I spend for cigarettes, how much gasoline I burn, how much to crying for an electricity, for gas. I am able to earn and I am able to spend reasonably.
- On last elections you stood in People's Deputies. A policy - a dirty thing. You have felt on yourselves this dirt?
- Personally me any of my competitors (and it there were serious people - Hmara, Grabar) could not reproach with odd methods of struggle. And against me a certain role these publications have played also. Someone has inflated scandal from this history, and in remote places it works...
- Campaign demands the big financial resources...
- I spent for the pre-election campaign only that money which itself has earned, receiving the salary on the railway and being engaged in commerce. It was necessary to print leaflets, advertising newspapers, to organise trips on district. I have spent not much, was more and it is not necessary.
- Perhaps therefore you also have lost?
- Next time I will necessarily win.