BBC Monitoring Outgoing US ambassador sees strategic stability as key to relations with Russia Source: Ekho Moskvy radio, Moscow, in Russian 1308 gmt 5 Jul 01 To mark his departure from Moscow, US Ambassador James Collins gave a valedictory interview in which he gave an overview of the present state of US-Russian relations and prospects for the future. Looking ahead to the Bush-Putin meeting at the G8 summit in Genoa, he said the focus would be on strategic stability, which included the narrower issue of missile defence. Asked about the possibility of Russia joining NATO, he said the USA supported the idea of an "open door". Referring to Yugoslavia, he denied that the USA stood to gain from a war in Europe. He also denied that America viewed closer relations between Moscow and Beijing as a threat to US interests. Turning to freedom of the press within Russia itself, he said the situation had improved since he first came to Moscow in 1965, but the press was still in need of some protection. The following is an excerpt from a live interview with Collins broadcast on Russian Ekho Moskvy radio on 5 July. All questions and answers spoken in Russian, unless otherwise specified. Subheads inserted editorially. [Presenter] Our guest today is the US ambassador to Russia, Mr James Collins. Good day. [Collins] Good day, Sasha... [Presenter] I would like to start with one question which I have to ask. This is your - [changes thought] incidentally, I should point out that this is the ambassador's last interview, not just on Ekho Moskvy but also in Russia. You are giving this interview in the run-up to the meeting of the Russian and US presidents at the G8 summit in Genoa. What will be the main subject of the talks between George Bush and Vladimir Putin? Condolences on air disaster [Collins, speaking English] If I may start by, first of all, saying a word to your listeners. I think all Americans are saddened by the tragic air accident that took so many lives in the Far East. And so, I would simply express all Americans' condolences to the victims of the crash and our sympathies are with them. The presidents will meet in Genoa. Of course, it's a meeting of the G8. But when they meet at a bilateral meeting, they will certainly continue the dialogue they began in Slovenia, and they have already arranged that in the immediate aftermath of Genoa, we'll have visits by two major economic figures in the American government, the minister of trade and the minister of finance. So, I fully expect that in addition to the agenda of the G8, they will discuss the security agenda that they began in Slovenia, and they will also pick up economic issues, including, I believe, Russian entry into the WTO. [Presenter] Am I right in understanding that when you speak about security, you are speaking about the subject of the USA's National Missile Defence system? Presidents to discuss strategic stability in Genoa [Collins, in English] They'll talk about that. But they will, I think, talk about the broader agenda of strategic stability. That includes the reductions in the number of strategic weapons, how do we deal with the problems of proliferation and counterproliferation threats, how do we arrange the international structures so that arms control and arms reduction agreements can strengthen the concept of deterrence, and of course the relationship of defence and offence, which will take them into the question of missile defence. They will be discussing the whole agenda, and they will also be discussing the environment in which new threats and new problems exist, as well as those that were addressed in the Cold War, and how we need to modify systems in order to bring up to date the agreements and the arrangements and the systems that address them... [Presenter] Mr [Richard] Boucher, the official State Department spokesman, said not so long ago that the doors of NATO ought to be open for Russia. Does this mean that the USA regards Russia as a potential strategic ally? NATO-Russia relations [Collins, in English] Well, I think what Mr Boucher said about the door of NATO being open is a clear statement that the alliance is an open one and is open to those who support its principles and can help it achieve its goals. And I think at this time what is really under discussion between Russia and NATO is how they can strengthen the relationship between NATO and Russia at this stage. So, the USA has supported within NATO and will continue to do so the strengthening of NATO-Russia relations and if the issue of membership arises in the future, then of course it will be looked at at that time. But I think the policy right now is the door's open and we support the open door. [Presenter] Aleksey Demchenko from Moscow asks the following over the Internet: Esteemed Mr Ambassador, how do you evaluate recent relations between Russia and the PRC [People's Republic of China], China that is? Do you believe the forthcoming signing of a Russian-Chinese treaty is a breakthrough? Isn't this a threat to the USA? Could this affect relations between Russia and the USA? Russia-China relations [Collins, in English] I know of no serious American who thinks that a relationship of peace and stability between Russia and China is a threat to the USA. Certainly, we would hope that whatever arrangements are developed between Russia and China will contribute to the peace and stability and security of the whole Asia region. So, I think rather than seeing any threat in this relationship, what rather we would hope to see is that the USA and Russia can always discuss such issues and that we both share the view that any relationships that develop should contribute to peace and security for all in Asia. [Presenter] Let me continue with international relations. Very often the views of Russia and the USA on various problems diverge. So it was, for instance, with sanctions against Iraq. Not so long ago Moscow blocked the adoption of a resolution in the Security Council on so-called smart sanctions which had been proposed by the USA and Great Britain. Could the USA and Russia reach a compromise on this issue? US policy on Iraq [Collins, in English] Well, I think that this is an issue that is discussed within the context of the UN, and of course we believe that it's in the interests of all to find a solution to this issue. We do have different views about how to go about achieving the fulfilment of the UN resolutions that are presently in force with respect to Iraq, including the sanctions resolutions. But I think we should not lose sight of the fact that the objective that the USA has had in this whole affair is to construct the regime of sanctions in such a way that it will continue to impose requirements on Saddam Husayn to fulfil his obligations under UN resolutions, but at the same time treat the people of Iraq humanely... [Presenter] Here is another question from the Internet. This is a question from Kirill Gusev in Moscow. He phrases his question this way. These are his words. Mr Ambassador, to what extent does the USA stand to gain from a war in Europe? I believe he is referring to events in Yugoslavia. [Collins, in English] Well, I think it is never in the interests of the USA or any country I know of to have a war. And, in fact, the entire efforts of the USA are devoted to preventing warfare in Europe and to bringing peace and stability to the entire European region. And I have every reason to state very simply that the USA would do its utmost to prevent the beginning of conflict or, if it began, to bring it to a speedy conclusion in any way that were possible. But, certainly, no-one in the USA thinks that the Americans will profit from a war in Europe... [Presenter] Yugoslavia is yet another international topic. The USA and Russia reacted differently to the extradition of Slobodan Milosevic to the Hague tribunal. Well, one way or another, a trial will now take place. Doesn't the USA believe that, in the interests of more objective consideration of this case, there should be a Russian representative in the court? Milosevic deserves a fair trial [Collins, in English] Well, I think the make-up of the court and the fairness of the court are a matter of interest to every country in the world. The court and its proceedings are a function of international agreement and, I think, the judges who serve on the court serve the cause of international law and, therefore, I am personally not attracted by the idea that we should begin choosing judges according to the case. And, therefore, it seems to me that the question really is not a matter of national origin or country from which a judge comes, but does that judge or do those judges adhere to the international legal norms that the court is supposed to enforce, and I think we all believe that the court should do so and that that is the purpose for which the court is created. The important question is that Mr Milosevic have a trial that is open, transparent and fair and according to international law. [Presenter] Now, if you will permit me, a few questions about Russia. Raisa asks, via the pager, the following: Mr Ambassador, is it your view that conditions are not right in Russia for freedom of speech? [Collins, now reverting to Russian] I regard Russia as a developing democracy. All Americans support one idea, the idea that for democracy to succeed all people must have the opportunity to express their views and to operate according to their principles. All this must be done according to the law, but freedom of speech is a fundamental principle of real democracy. >From this point of view, I believe it is very important that we should see and must see freedom of the press in Russia, for us to have a flourishing democracy. [Presenter] I don't know whether you can answer this question or not, bearing in mind your diplomatic status, first and foremost. Nevertheless, do you personally see examples of pressure on the press by the authorities, or not? Pressure on Russian media [Collins] I can say that during my tenure of this post I have of course seen such instances, both in the regions and in other contexts. But I also have to say there is a difference compared with my first stay in Moscow, in 1965. Today there is, in my view, a good basis for the construction of a free press here. But this is a process, it is not always a state of affairs which could not be viewed as needing protection... [Presenter] Here's another question. What are the best and the worst impressions you have from your stay in Russia? [Collins] ... The worst moments, from a professional point of view, were, I would say, the economic crisis, when there were serious, complex issues which we had to deal with. I can also single out the war in the Balkans, when serious difficulties arose between the Americans and Russia. As a diplomat caught in the middle, this always creates certain difficulties. [Presenter] We have roughly a minute and a half left. I would like the ambassador to describe the feelings he has as he leaves Russia. Does he hope to return here? After all, this is not your first time here. [Collins] I am departing, but I will not leave Russia for ever. I have lived here in Moscow for over 10 years, starting in 1965. I will return. From that point of view, I am leaving convinced that I will return. That is the most important thing. Of course, I am leaving with mixed feelings. Four years is a long time. But the time has come to leave. But, all the same, of course, I am leaving many friends, leaving behind the opportunity to walk about Moscow every day, leaving behind those journeys which made a big impression on me. [Presenter] You began your interview with some words for our listeners. I would now like to ask you to say a few words of farewell to them. Opportunity to build new US-Russia relationship [Collins] Well, I wish all your listeners all the very best. It seems to me that today we do indeed have a wealth of opportunity to build new relations between Americans and Russians. The 20th century was a bloody one, in many respects. We have an opportunity today to create new ties, new relations which will work constantly to the benefit of our peoples and the peoples of the world. This is my deepest wish to everybody. [Presenter] Thank you very much. I thank James Collins, the US ambassador to Russia, who was giving Ekho Moskvy his last interview in Russia. Thank you very much. [Collins] Thank you, Sasha. Miroslav Antic, http://www.antic.org/ Serbian News Network - SNN [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.antic.org/
