|
 [Index] [About] [Participants] [Forum] [Vote] [Letters] [Disclaimer] [Archive] |
|
|||||||||||
  Seeking A Better Future:
Russia and Europe continued...“If you take the meetings of our foreign ministers and many other politicians, and if you weigh on the scales which question for the last two years is discussed the most, you would probably find it is about the former Yugoslavia,” Karasin replied. Macedonia and Kosovo have been the key focus of these talks. The international community and the European Union are not happy, he explained, with the developments in the Balkans “which bring one national group on top of another, and one religion on top of the other.” He hopes that a solution will be found, while adding that there is much to do and that it will take time “to create a modern civilised society” in the region. Above all, in response to a similar question but about potential conflict in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea area, he outlined that Russia is not pursuing a confrontation line, but intends to work as a partner with NATO and the European Union countries to ensure peace and stability on the world stage. Financial Times’ correspondent, Glen Seagull, who raised concerns about Russia’s ability to reform economically and its central planning ability, raised the question. He fears that there is a “security dilemma on the non-Cold War borders.” His Excellency said that talks are under way with the five Caspian Sea countries, and that no-one should hurry. The solution to prevent conflict in these regions, Karasin suggested, is to approach things in a positive way by co-operating with other countries just like Russia’s approach towards European questions and problems. He was right to suggest that threats will not help. With respect to the Black Sea the question posed by the FT wasn’t clear. So Karasin chose to emphasise that Russia has good economic and political relations with Turkey, particularly as it is a member of NATO. The confusion led Karasin to suggest that: “nobody is trying to bring the Black Sea closer to Turkey or Russia.” He hopes that everyone will work to prevent a war in these regions.
Winston Churchill once said in 1939 that Russia was “ a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” On the other hand Bismarck had once commented that Russia “is a never as strong or as weak as it looks.” Karasin calls these “classic clichés” that describe Russia. He believes that both viewpoints are impressive and self-explanatory, but “the key to both is mystery.” This led Karasin to speak about a new openness in his country, which some might question. If Russia is truly open, then why was the country’s only independent television station NTV’s take-over sanctioned by the state in January 2001? A BBC Online News report suggests that it was an attempt by the Russian government to silence the T.V station’s criticisms of its actions in Chechnya and the Kursk submarine disaster. Russia’s “newly found openness and predictably”, H.E Grigory Karasin argues is the most important development for his country. “There have been dramatic changes in the last ten years from an over centralised and ideology-based to a normal and understandable, by everyone, society,” he added. He stressed that Russia is no longer a stagnant country, but “is on the move, and there are obvious positive results that we have achieved.” A pluralistic democracy, he explained, underlines the new Russia. He also argued that the present administration’s totalitarian instincts, that beset the past, are exaggerated. Last year’s Russian presidential elections, and the trouble-free transition of power from Boris Yeltsin to Vladimir Putin were given as evidence of a young, and committed pluralistic democracy. Karasin described President Putin as “dynamic and popular leader who formulates the priorities of the national agenda, and is persistently implementing the plans to review and modernise Russia.” Yet as Putin sanctioned the take-over of NTV, Ambassador Grigory Karasin’s statement doesn’t quite ring true about Russia’s democratic progress. The Russian government hopes, according to Karasin, that by “strengthening the state” with its greater openness and predictability that the country will be able to foster stronger relations with “the 89 regions and the federal centre.” He argues that a stronger state won’t diminish democracy, but will “ensure the same criteria of market economy and democratic reforms, secure financial and economic spheres, and the protection human rights all over the country.”
Russia and Europe continued... [About EuroPolls] [Index] [Participants] [EMU Forum] |
The Secretary General of NATO, Lord
Robertson, who spoke at a previous European-Atlantic
Group meeting, according to H.E Grigory Karasin made some
“really important observations about NATO and
strategic security in Europe and the wider world.”
Yet he added: “It was surprising for me to learn
from the honourable gentleman that the enlargement of
NATO is something very much desired by Russia, and
something that we have desired to see for decades.”
The delegates greeted the comments with laughter. His
Excellency therefore feels that it is “appropriate
to listen to alternative opinions and explanations.”
