Press Release - 08.04.99

RUSSIA PERSPECTIVES
Anti-Semitism and U.S.-Russian Relations

On July 29, 1999, Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Andrew Weiss addressed a Capitol Hill briefing for 55 interns, sponsored by the National Conference on Soviet Jewry (NCSJ) and focusing on increased anti-Semitism in the Russian Federation and on U.S.-Russian relations. Senator Smith chairs the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs, and Mr. Weiss is Director for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council. Senator Smith raised the issue of anti-Semitism in the Prime Minister’s July 27 meeting with Members of Congress, and Mr. Weiss was integrally involved in the Washington visit by Russian Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin.

Their presentations, including response to questions, are summarized below.

Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR): Religious Freedom

Religious freedom is the most important right in the U.S. Constitution, serving as an essential symbol for dissidents and others around the world. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee first held hearings on Russian anti-Semitism in the 19^th century. Judging from the treatment of Mormons in the last century alone, America does not have a perfect record in its own treatment of religious minorities, but that makes it even more important to champion this issue today.

Senator Smith raised the issue of anti-Semitism with Prime Minister Stepashin in his Capitol Hill meeting, perhaps embarrassing him but reminding him that Russia will be judged on the basis of how it treats all its minorities – but especially Jews, who have endured a long history of persecution in Russia. Senator Smith told the Prime Minister that, while not of the Jewish faith, he takes the situation of Jews in Russia very seriously and is alarmed by statements from Duma members and by government inaction following recent attacks. He urged the Prime Minister to speak up and take action, and the Prime Minister agreed with this priority.

While the Russian Constitution originally secured religious freedom, the 1997 Religion Law has been used to harass the followers of Western faiths in Russia. Senator Smith noted that the Russian and American Jewish communities have opposed the problematic provisions of the new law, even though Judaism is not directly affected, understanding that if one religion is attacked, none is safe. Such a law gives sanction to bigotry and violence.

The Russian Orthodox Church plays more of a cultural than a spiritual role with respect to such issues as anti-Semitism and the Religion Law. State religions are compromised institutions, which is why separation of Church and State is so vital in the United States.

Congress has passed legislation conditioning U.S. aid on the results of Russian implementation of the Religion Law, which the Administration has waived twice, but which remains on the books if necessary. "They need us more than we need them," he emphasized, while predicting that "Russia is a country with a future" if it can consolidate rule of law. Currently, there is no coordination at the leadership level, a situation bordering on anarchy.

Presidents Boris Yeltsin and Bill Clinton meeting in Cologne, June 20, 1999
(photo by Ralph Alswang)

Andrew Weiss: U.S.-Russian Relations

Prime Minister Stepashin’s visit to Washington occurred within the context of both President Bill Clinton’s very successful June 20 meeting in Cologne with President Boris Yeltsin – in the immediate aftermath of the tension-inducing Kosovo crisis – and the resumption of the U.S.-Russia Commission on Economic and Technological Cooperation, which has not met since the Russian Duma confirmed Sergei Stepashin as Prime Minister on May 19. Stepashin and Vice President Al Gore co-chair the joint commission.

Four major items were on the agenda in Prime Minister Stepashin’s meetings with President Clinton and Vice President Gore.

• Beyond Kosovo: Moving beyond the Kosovo difficulties to deal with unfinished business, particularly European security (including in Kosovo, where U.S.-Russian relations are good on the ground) and a broader security agenda that addresses nuclear arsenals and ratification of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty. Discussions will begin in Moscow the middle of this month. Russia realizes it has a great stake in becoming a normal state, which means ensuring integration with Europe.
• Economics: The Russian economy has lately begun showing improvement in several areas, notably increased stability of the ruble, increased revenues, and lower inflation. In terms of restructuring the economy, there is still work to be done in creating an investment-friendly environment and the kind of market infrastructure which facilitates integration into the global economy and banking system. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved $4.5 billion in loans to Russia on July 28, the day after Prime Minister Stepashin left Washington.
• Non-proliferation: President Clinton and Vice President Gore both pressed Prime Minister Stepashin concerning the transfer of weapons technology to other countries, especially Iran. There is greater Russian understanding that safeguards are an important test of the performance on the non-proliferation issue, and that such controls are in Russia’s national interest. Earlier in the day, President Yeltsin signed a robust export control law the Duma had passed. The President and Vice President noted Russia’s new policy and legal framework – and institutional base – for addressing this issue, and agreed to approve additional Russian rocket launches of commercial U.S. satellites.
• Anti-Semitism: In their meetings with Prime Minister Stepashin, the President, Vice President, Members of Congress and American Jewish leaders all expressed their concern about the recent rise in anti-Semitic rhetoric and attacks, urging the Prime Minister to speak out forcefully and take strong security and law-enforcement measures. While the Administration anticipates no reduction in assistance for democratization and economic stabilization, the world knows Russia’s history on this issue and the meeting at Blair house with American Jewish leaders (organized by NCSJ and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations) was essential.

That the Russians do is more important than what they say. The Duma generates much of what is perceived as "Russian policy", but more important is what the government actually does. The Upper House of Parliament, which is more region-based than the Duma, deals more with issues of importance to Russians. This is part of a unique moment as the regions start to play a larger role opposite Moscow.

Aid is a long-term process, with results measured in decades rather than years. Since last summer’s economic crisis, Russians are more seriously adjusting their system and way of life. A new generation of Russians is coming of age, with a new way of doing business. The long-term will also depend on structural adjustment