Russian National Unity is both a nationalist political party and an extremist paramilitary organization.  The RNU's slogan, "Russia for the Russians," says much about its goals, which include the ethnic cleansing of the "motherland" and a vastly increased public role for the Russian Orthodox Church.  The RNU, or Barkashovites as they are sometimes known, are virulently opposed to the presence of both Jews and Caucasian minorities in the Russian motherland, whom they propose deporting to Israel and "Turkish lands", respectively.  With black uniforms, raised arm salutes, and a red swastika flag as its logo, the RNU eagerly invites comparison to the Nazi Party in its early days under Adolf Hitler.  <P><br />Aleksandr Barkashov founded the RNU in 1990, and in 1993 he participated in the hardliners' siege of the Russian parliament.  Granted amnesty for his role in the attempted revolution, Barkashov returned to overseeing his rapidly growing organization.  The lives of ordinary Russians were extraordinarily difficult during the 1990's and, as is so often the case, many were eager to blame their woes on Jews and foreigners.  At its late nineties peak, Russian authorities estimated that the organization had around 100,000 members.  Chapters in the Baltic Republics (especially Estonia) and Ukraine were among the most active, seeking the cleansing of their territory and reunification with the Russian Federation.  <P>As disturbing as the RNU's goals are, it is their willingness to pursue those goals through force that has proved most alarming to officials in Moscow.  Beatings of Jews and foreigners happened sporadically where RNU elements were active.  In May of 1998, the RNU claimed responsibility for a bombing at a Moscow synagogue that injured three people.  RNU elements, such as the "Russian Knights," train extensively in paramilitary tactics, including the use of weapons and explosives, both of which have been found stockpiled at RNU compounds.  In the run-up to his failed attempt at the Russian presidency in 2000, Barkashov repeatedly hinted that his followers were willing to use violence to seize power if democratic means proved unsuccessful.  However, Barkashov was expelled from Russia in September of 2000, and the RNU has split into factions with no central leadership.  In March 2001, the Latvian RNU ran in municipal elections but won no seats.