Medvedev/Putin tandem at odds, as Khimki highway put on hold

Moscow - It has been a hot fiery summer in Russia this year, but with the smoke starting to clear, tensions are starting to reveal themselves.

The friendly tandem between President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, may be unravelling quickly, with the proposed Khimki Forest motorway a source of contention between the two. The mayor of Khimki and the Transport Ministry will be organizing a public discussion on the construction of a motorway between Moscow and St Petersburg, as ordered by the President. But instead of collecting a survey, they are collecting signatures in support of the highway construction, and threatening to fire any employees who do not sign. Inside sources from Ecooborona want an independent body to oversee the discussion, stating: "It was a victory that the cutting down of trees was halted - but not a final one. Today it became clear that the "Public Discussion" will be organized by Mayor of Khimki and Ministry for transportation. They are the fiercest supporters of the project in its present state. Khimki administration has already started to collect signatures in support of the motorway through the forest among the workers of various enterprises. People who refused to sign were reportedly threatened to be fired. As well, pressure was mounted on businessmen in order to make them collect signatures for the existing option of the motorway among their staff. We are resolute to demand Medvedev to appoint an independent body for the organization of public discussion." The three year long battle for the Khimki Forest may continue for a long time yet. In 2008, Mikhail Beketov, the editor-in-chief of an independent newspaper Khimkinskaya Pravda was put on a death threat list and later, found beaten and unconscious. He sustained permanent brain damage and his leg was amputated. Since then, threats and imprisonment have plagued the movement, bombs and knives pulled, but so far no other major injuries. The movement shows a strong resolve, and the world is starting to join in. Pressure has been put on the construction company, French-based Vinci Concessions. The Year of France, declared in Russia this year, may just become a bust. Some European financers have pulled out, not wanting any scandal. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has enjoyed popularity throughout the years, but this issue may be the one to bring him down. Since Medvedev was elected to office, he has been promoting a "modern" Russia, fighting corruption and promoting sustainability. He usually deals with international relations, while Putin concentrated on governing the country itself. A source who works alongside the leader of the Khimki movement revealed, "A politicologist told Evgenia today that Medvedev-Putin tandem is splitting, and one of the biggest controversies between them is the Khimki Forest problem!" Medvedev announced, "Today, I signed an executive order making the Federal Forestry Agency an independent body directly subordinated to the Government." The website for Ecooborona, has been under a "severe DDoS attack yesterday and today. We were forced to arrange some protection." The English translation has not been available.