Budapest, Hungary -- An "Alternate Russia" seems to be a good idea; "Another Russia" sounds even better. In that other Russia, no anti-democratic steps would be taken and none would be seen. In the other Russia, dissidents would have a hard time finding any reason to protest so there would be only a few of them and the rest could play chess to pass their time. In the other Russia nobody would be interested in protesting summits that were trying to solve the problems of other countries since Russia wouldn't have any.

Continue »

Budapest, Hungary -- While I write this, President Bush is having breakfast in the best hotel in Budapest. I am invited for the lunch he is going to be having in the gigantic Hungarian Parliament building, full of Hungarian politicians and celebrities. I have to pass on the lunch, I am afraid, because, due to safety measures, our city is practically paralyzed by police forces. Otherwise, I would absolutely be there -- a writer never knows when he may need the description of such an event for a novel.

Continue »