Moscow, 27 June: Leader of the Union of Right Forces [SPS] Nikita Belykh has said that SPS members will take part in the all-Russia conference of the Republican Party to be held in Moscow on 2-3 July.

"After (State Duma independent deputy) Vladimir Ryzhkov invited me personally by telephone and sent an official invitation, we confirmed that we would attend," Nikita Belykh told Interfax today.

"We are truly interested in uniting all the democratic parties and movements. We must show the public that democrats can agree and take part in joint events," the SPS leader said.

Commenting on the initiatives to use the Republican Party as a platform for uniting democratic forces, Nikita Belykh said: "Perhaps, each of us pursues his own goals. Ryzhkov represents the interests of the Republican Party and suggests the Republican Party as a vehicle for consolidation (of democratic forces). I am not ready to discuss which platform could be the most suitable, I may have my own views on this matter."

Asked whether the Yabloko party would take part in the Republican Party's conference, Nikita Belykh said: "I don't know. I'm not the host at that gathering."

Vladimir Ryzhkov, one of the leaders of the Republican Party, said earlier that the goal of the conference, conceived as a mini civic forum, was to pass a draft programme and put forward a plan for uniting the country's democratic forces.

"The democratic movement is at an impasse now, and we want to offer a way out on a new ideological and organizational basis," he said.

He said that Grigoriy Yavlinskiy and Nikita Belykh, leaders of Yabloko and SPS, as well as chairman of Committee-2008 Garri Kasparov had been invited to attend the forum.