Litvinovich added that Kasparov was meeting with the activists of youth movement
in order to discuss tactics and strategy of creating a united democratic front.
Kasparov: There was no one group that instigated this.
There were a number of groups of youth activists who were gathered at the
meeting.
Kasparov: They were gathered to meet me. There was a dialogue
between us, I was telling them about my plans, we discussed the current political
situation – a normal political meeting. Maybe I was agitating them
a little.
Kasparov: It was quite surprising and shocking. It happened
so fast that nobody could intervene. I signed the chessboard for a "fan"
and then turned away to talk to another person. He was telling me about his
town, and I was looking at a local paper he showed me. Anyway, I had turned
my head and this guy simply attacked me.
Didn't you have security?
Kasparov: Yes, there was security, but you know what it
is like when you are signing autographs. Everybody crowds around, the security
people step back.
The attacker was yelling obscenities, we hear...
Kasparov: Actually his behavior was a clear indication
that this was planned. It was a provocation. He was shouting: "Call
the police, beat me up, I don't care..." He was obviously counting on
two reactions: either we call the police and have him arrested, or we attack
him. But in fact we did nothing.
Kasparov: Nothing. We got his name, since he was registered
for the meeting, but we decided to do nothing. We let him go, at least for
the time being.
Now you have arranged special security?
Kasparov: Yes, in the future it will have to be different.
But it is difficult to run a political campaign and at the same time avoid
physical contact. It is young people, they want to talk to me, tell me things,
get my autograph.
And the wound, it is not so serious?
Kasparov: It's very unpleasant, it hurts, but I'm not going
to stop.
What are your immediate plans? Do you have more meetings lined up?
Kasparov: There are a few meetings here in Moscow, and
then in a week I am heading for the countryside...
Kasparov: No, to the countryside – rural Russia,
for public events.
I understand, like to the Mid-West...
Kasparov: Yeah, exactly, but here it is the "Mid-East",
it is all east of Moscow.
Well just be careful, will you.
Kasparov: Yes, obviously. Okay, I will have security, but
[hums thoughfully] it is not going to be so easy.
Garry Kasparov was assailed by a hoodlum during his meeting with activists
of youth organizations on Friday evening. "It is very much in the NBP
style," Mostovich said. "Hitting Kasparov on the head with a chess-board
and dashing mineral water bottles off the presidium table during our constituent
conference a day earlier are links of the same chain of hooliganism and thuggery.Such
methods of settling accounts are very much in style pursued by the fascist
Limonov and his hirelings," he said. Mostovich was referring to an incident
on the previous day when a girl rushed to the presidium table immediately after
the Russian national anthem and brushed aside everything that was there. The
security guards promptly caught the trouble-maker and led her out of the conference
room. It was later disclosed that the offender was a NBP activist.
