Oleg Kalugin, former Soviet KGB major general People’s Deputy of the USSR, was once one of Washington’s enemies, but is now a respected lecturer.
Kalugin, now a professor at the Center for Counterintelligence and Security Studies, addressed the Georgetown University Russian Club Thursday night and discussed the current changes and problems in Russia and Russian relations with foreign countries.
Kalugin said Russia has improved greatly compared to the old Soviet Union but the economy still has a long way to go.
“Russia has grown economically. However, nearly 80 percent of all Russian corporations are over 18 years old,” said Kalugin. “We cannot compete in the world market. Russia has more debts than the annual budget.”
Kalugin said crime and corruption in Russia are a result of a lack of ideology.
“The communism concept had everyone together,” he said. “After it was abolished, (the people) have nothing to depend on.”
Kalugin ended the speech emphasizing the importance of the new generation for the future of Russia.
“The new generation is arriving to the full front. This is a matter of time. They are open, unfearful, sophisticated, and educated,” Kalugin said. “They will make Russia a truly powerful country, a friend to the rest of the world.”
Kalugin’s theme was suppose to be “Central Asia Politics in the Eyes of Intelligence” but he spent more time discussing Russia and its problems, leaving the audience dissatisfied.
“I thought he would talk more on Central Asia. He concentrated a lot in the negative aspects of Russia,” said Assel Rustemova, a member of the Russian Club at American University. “But there are a lot of good things and progresses that should be recognized.”
Others were interested to hear more from the former major general about his experiences.
“It was a bit disappointing that he didn’t talk about KGB,” said Maria Repnikova, Georgetown Russian Club member.
Some of the audience thought it was a good introduction of current Russia.
“It was a really good introduction to Russia’s economic and political state,” said GW senior Edwina Langenberg. “He had a lot of interesting things to say.”
