[This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2005/s1505170.htm]
AM - Saturday, 12 November , 2005 08:24:15 Reporter: Emma Griffiths ELIZABETH JACKSON: A recent wave of rioting in France has set off heated debate in Russia about whether it too could face similar race-related violence.
Right-wing politicians have jumped on the issue warning that it's inevitable as long as Russia is flooded with different nationalities.
The French riots have added fuel to a growing nationalist sentiment in Russia, as our Moscow Correspondent Emma Griffiths reports.
(sound of Russian music)
EMMA GRIFFITHS: This is the latest political ad for Russian nationalist party, Rodina, or motherland.
It shows party leaders telling a group of dark-skinned men to clean up their garbage.
(sound of man speaking in Russian)
They ask if the men understand Russian.
(sound of man speaking in Russian)
The ad finishes with a call to clean up the city.
It's an overtly racist message, typical of the party.
Leader Dmitry Rogozin says the ad is about self-respect.
(sound of Dmitry Rogozin speaking)
"I'm convinced I'm right and there is nothing for us to be ashamed of," he says. "We have really raised the issue of the nation's self-respect. For Russia to be an open and hospitable house for everyone, we need to respect ourselves."
Racism in Russia is largely directed at immigrants from central Asia and the North Caucasus, mostly Muslim people who've moved to Moscow looking for work.
Since the riots began in France, such sentiment has gained volume and currency.
Rodina's Dmitry Rogozin has called on Russian authorities to take pre-emptive measures against potential rioters in Moscow.
(sound of protesters shouting)
Last week, 3,000 people took to the streets in the largest nationalist demonstration in the country for at least a decade.
They held banners reading, "Moscow Against Occupiers", "Russia For Russians" and even the Nazi salute, "Seig Heil".
For French sociologist Karin Kliman, it's another sign of growing aggression in Moscow. She's lived here for 10 years and believes the riots in her home country will be repeated in Russia.
(sound of Karin Kliman speaking)
KARIN KLIMAN (translated): I ride the subway every day and it's a real struggle. So if there is a revolt by one category of people, by the poor or by migrants, then another category of people would react accordingly and very cruelly. They would probably form some units or patrols, pick up clubs and fight.
Without a doubt, the reaction of Russian authorities would be much harsher than the reaction of even the French Government.
The people who dare to revolt would probably be called, not just hooligans, but also terrorists.
It would be very rough, very cruel and probably partly for that reason, people are still afraid to take to the streets to cross this line.
EMMA GRIFFITHS: For now, the nationalists are the only ones making any noise in Russia. Their targets remain largely quiet, impoverished, and hidden away in the city's outskirts.
This is Emma Griffiths in Moscow, for Saturday AM.