Ria Novosti/Johnson's List - 03.25.2002

Johnson's List

March 2002 [translation from RIA Novosti]

The United States: Friend or Foe?

Current Russian-US relations are perceived as a veritable jigsaw puzzle. Both sides keep assuring each other of their "new friendship"; meanwhile some White House decisions prompt the Kremlin to talk about an "adequate response." Russia and the United States, which are no longer rivals, still can't be called partners. So, what can be said about the present-day status of our relations? Besides, does a new Cold War threaten our relationship. Komsomolskaya Pravda asked these questions to Russian politicians and political science experts.

Make Way for the United States

Sergei Markov, political science expert

Question: Don't you think that Russian-US relations have become deadlocked once again?

Answer: One can't say that Russia opposes the United States, and that our relations are deadlocked. One should keep in mind that a uni-polar world continues to emerge nowadays. The concerned parties have been trying to clarify their common interests ever since the Afghan counter-terrorist operation got underway. The list of such common interests includes the struggle against global terrorism that will continue for quite a while, efforts to control the global proliferation of mass-destruction weapons, as well as Russia's integration into the international community and its Europeanization.

Question: Do Washington's anti-dumping decisions, which are spear-headed against Russian metallurgists, amount to a purely political move? Or are they motivated by US economic interests? 

Answer: Any statements implying that the United States opposes Russian economic development because it fears competition on the part of Russian products amount to a myth. On the contrary, Washington wants Russia to create a sufficiently powerful economy, which would absorb US investment; the US side would profit as a result of such investment. The afore-said anti-dumping decisions constitute apurely economic move, which highlights the US desire to facilitate the development of its traditional sectors. On the other hand, though, all this is directly linked with a highly important US-policy trend. Washington prefers to make serious unilateral decisions. By the way, Russia and America's European allies keep accusing the US side of such behaviour. This has something to do with an even more fundamental trend, i.e. the creation of a uni-polar world, a global economy and a global system for adopting political decisions. In other words, a veritable global government continues to emerge. We should not impede this trend; on the contrary, Russia should take an active part in forging a new world order. Mind you, we can impose another world order concept, which meets our own interests.

Question: Shouldn't Moscow respond "adequately" to every anti-Russian gesture on the part of Washington?

Answer: This would be counter-productive. The former USSR, which had disintegrated in 1991, could have dealt with America differently. Meanwhile Russia resembles a matador, who faces a bull, i.e. the United States. However, we must do our best to avoid clashing with the US bull, which is running loose on the arena. Question: Are we friends, partners or allies today? Answer: Russia and the United States are now semi-allies. At the same time, Russia should pay more attention to a new political centre, which comprises the United States and its allies. Russia's strength is directly proportional to its proximity to this center of power.

(Transcript by Maxim Chizhnikov)

U.S. Policies: The Arrogance of Power

Alexei Arbatov, deputy chairman, defence committee, Russian State Duma

Question: Does Washington's current Russian policy herald the beginning of yet another Cold War?

Answer: No, this would be an exaggeration. However, the United States has a rather disdainful attitude of Russia, as well as its NATO allies, Japan, India and China. The United States, which doesn't want to confront Russia at this stage, would like our country to have a limited influence on international relations. Moreover, Washington doesn't want Moscow to voice a special position, which would hinder US policies. Russia backed US combat operations on Afghan territory, facing Washington's base ingratitude as a result.

Question: Another Cold War, therefore, seems unlikely. Nonetheless, our relations seem to have cooled off somewhat.

Answer: Yes, that's right. Bilateral relations would cool off a great deal, if the United States doesn't mend its ways. Concessions, silent consent and hopes for long-term cooperation are now history. Russia will be implementing a tough and independent policy with regard to the United States in the near future. Many European countries, as well as Japan and South Korea, would support us, if we don't make any blunders.

Question: Does this mean that Russia and America can be called enemies, rather than allies or partners, to some extent?

Answer: We are neither political enemies, nor allies. Russia is still being targeted by US nuclear missiles, and vice versa. There are only two options for rectifying this situation. Nuclear weapons should be eliminated completely; however, this is highly unlikely at a time when other countries have gone nuclear. Or we can become full-fledged military-political allies, just like Great Britain or France.

Question: Is  this possible?

Answer: Not yet. The United States, which doesn't want to sign a full-fledged START document with Russia, strives to create an NMD (National Missile Defence) system. Consequently, the deterrence principle still remains a salient feature of our relations. Indicatively enough, but specific information leaks concerning the Pentagon's well-known classified document highlight the mendacious and cynical nature of US statements that a unilateral US withdrawal fro the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty won't hinder the START process.

Question: Who is our partner in this case?  

Answer: Europe is our main partner and eventual ally.

(Transcript by Olga Vandysheva)