Andrei Ryabov, scholar-in-residence at the Carnegie Moscow Center:
"Mr. Kasyanov is a capable political player: he has chosen the right time and form for his announcement, leaving everyone in doubt about whether this is a Kremlin-supported project or an independent move. Of course he must have held talks of some description with the presidential administration. Money will be no problem. He is a wealthy man himself, and can probably get more from what remains of the Yeltsin's team."
Alexei Makarkin, deputy director general of the Center for Political Technologies:
"Serious political players will think twice about supporting the former premier, for political investment in Russia is a risky affair, to say nothing of investment in an opposition project. The timing for Mr. Kasyanov's announcement was correct because he could have fallen into oblivion by 2007. Rather than appealing to the shrinking 7% right-wing population, Mr. Kasyanov would seek broader electoral support, trying to build on the successes of his cabinet. So far, he can hardly win any Western support: in those parts, they support only those who have chances of winning."
Dmitry Badovsky, an expert with the Social Systems Institute:
"Mr. Kasyanov's recent move appears to be more a test of how various groups will respond. An upsurge of bad publicity for him would indicate how forcefully the Kremlin is opposed to him. If the elite supports Mr. Kasyanov, he will have no problem with funding. As to the Western attitudes, his announcement comes tellingly right before the Bratislava summit."
Leonid Gozman, a member of the Federal Political Council of the Union of Right Forces:
"Mr. Kasyanov could be a real rival for Mr. Putin. He cannot be called a communist or a nationalist. He has not been involved in public politics, which in the circumstances is a plus point. He could unite different democratically minded people."
