"It is high time to come to a decision or give up futile action," was a pressing call that came from world chess champion Gary Kasparov as he was opening the conclusive session.
The YABLOKO and the Union of Right Forces, or SPS-leading Right liberal parties-were expected, by today, to be ready with coordinated blueprints for a budding party. They, however, failed to come to an accord. Press releases both are circulating point out their differing stances.
The YABLOKO sees the matter as before. All liberals are to merge under its aegis. The party has a statistical reason to demand it, what with a membership exceeding 50,000, as against 38,000 in the SPS.
The SPS, on the contrary, proposes to do without any united party. A common ticket for the next parliamentary election is all the liberal forces need, it deems.
Gary Kasparov does not think the YABLOKO and the SPS will ever merge, he said to newsmen before the session.
"Liberals have an established mental paradigm-the YABLOKO and the SPS ought to unite. I don't think things will take a tragic turn even if the two don't come together. There is another way-to give up all brands we have now, and venture on an entirely new project."
Vladimir Ryzhkov, another major Right activist, is of a similar opinion-a thoroughly new political party is to appear if today's conferees fail to meet each other halfway, added Mr. Kasparov.
Up to 70 per cent of Russians are doing without whatever partisanship, so, even if present-day liberals lose their electorate, such a loss will not spell the doom of a new Right opposition venture, he pointed out. "We must be quick to set up a new coalition, and I shall surely work to pace up the job."
Grigori Yavlinsky and Anatoli Chubais are conspicuously absent from tonight's gathering. Liberals see their conflict as the main reason why the YABLOKO and the SPS wouldn't come together on a common cause.
