I am keeping an eye at the ballyhoo that has been raised by Russian mass media regarding the ban to "Bush legs" import to Russia. There are a lot of explanations, why such a decision has been taken. The publications say that American chicken legs are infected with salmonella and contain antibiotics and dioxins, that the export of poultry meat from the USA poses a threat to Russia's food security, that "Bush legs" are pressing domestic poultry manufacturers due to dumping prices, etc. However, it looks to be merely a pretence for "chicken war", from my point of view. The real reason is different. It was said in press, famous businessman and PR technologist Sergei Lisovsky has started dealing with growing chicken. He was one of those who helped Yeltsin to win presidential election in 1996. The first output of his big agro-industrial complex near Moscow is expected this year. Thus, it seems that the businessman has decided to remove the competitors from the market, i.e. American chicken legs offered at extremely low prices. Perhaps, that is why Lisovsky has started lobbying agricultural products. He must have pulled all his strings in the corridors of power and managed to get the decision that he (and all poultry industry) needed.
Let us not raise the question, whether what he has done is good or bad. Lobbying exists in all countries. If the decision, taken under Lisovsky's pressure, is for the benefit of Russian manufacturers and consumers, it is good what he has done. If "Lisovsky chests" are going to be tastier and cheaper than "Bush legs" - everybody will praise his activity.
Yet, there is another question. Will this decision on embargo stand long? Let me remind you, that Russia already introduced similar ban in 1996. At that time the lobbyists from across the ocean interfered. 39 senators wrote a letter to Bill Clinton requesting him to influence the decision. Tyson Company imposed pressure on the president. 1996 was the year of presidential election, and Tyson Company financed Clinton's campaign. Vice President Gore called Chernomyrdin three times, and Russia yielded to the pressure.
Will Russian government yield this time? Will this decision (really useful for Russia) be called off?

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