DATE=7/27/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA - US
NUMBER=5-43957
BYLINE=ANDRE DE NESNERA
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin is in
Washington for talks with senior US officials. In
this report from Washington, former Moscow
correspondent Andre de Nesnera looks at the
significance of Mr. Stepashin's visit.
TEXT: This is Sergei Stepashin's first visit to
Washington since he was confirmed as Russia's Prime
minister two months ago, replacing Yevgeni Primakov.
This is also the first visit by a Russian Prime
Minister to the United States since the end of the
Kosovo crisis. Russia was vehemently opposed to
NATO's bombing campaign against Serbia and made that
clear to the U-S government. As a sign of
displeasure, then Prime minister Primakov - on his way
to the United States on March 23rd - turned his plane
around when informed NATO'S bombing campaign was to
begin.
Experts agree NATO's air campaign against Serbia has
strained relations between Washington and Moscow.
Paula Dobriansky from the (New York) "Council on
Foreign Relations" says despite the cooler ties, both
sides agree good relations are essential.
/// DOBRIANSKY ACT ///
However, the problem has been that despite the
fact that both sides attach a great deal of
importance to the relationship, there have been
fundamental differences. It is clear that the
Russians see their global, strategic interests
as different from ours. They see a multi-polar
center. They want to have other kinds of power
centers which would offset the United States.
In other words, they feel uncomfortable with the
uni-polar world in which the United States is
the sole superpower.
/// END ACT //
Ms. Dobriansky says relations between Washington and
Moscow are on the mend and Prime Minister Stepashin's
visit to Washington indicates that.
Whenever American and Russian officials meet, they
have a host of issues to discuss - ranging from arms
control to economic matters. But experts here do not
expect any major breakthroughs while Mr. Stepashin is
here. They say this is essentially a get-acquainted
session between Mr. Stepashin and senior US government
officials.
Michael McFaul is a Russian Scholar at the
(Washington-based) "Carnegie Endowment" Research
Center. He does not expect much from the Stepashin
visit, given the fact that both countries face
presidential elections next year.
/// McFAUL ACT ///
And so on both sides neither the Americans nor
the Russians are going to be wanting to engage
in a set of negotiations that will be
interrupted by the electoral cycle. Now having
said that, my impression is that the Americans
are much more optimistic and much more focused
on trying to get some of those issues resolved
before the elections in 2000. But the closer we
get to both presidential elections in these
countries, the less of an interest any candidate
is going to have in committing to something. So
I suspect we are in a holding pattern in US-
Russian relations that we will only get out of
after the elections are over.
/// END ACT ///
Mr.Stepashin's visit here comes at a critical time for
Russia. It coincides with a meeting (Wednesday)of the
International Monetary Fund's Board of Directors.
They are expected to unblock a four and a half billion
dollar loan for Russia frozen since last August.
Mr. McFaul says Mr. Stepashin's presence in Washington
at the same time that the I-M-F is discussing
disbursing new funds to Moscow is a pure coincidence.
/// SECOND McFAUL ACT ///
I do not think it was timed to be the case.
But there is no question that it would be a big
political victory for Mr. Stepashin if those
loans came through - and by the way, I suspect
they will. I think it will be one of the first
achievements of the Stepashin government.
/// END ACT ///
Experts say a positive decision by the I-M-F to
provide Russia with loans should open the door to new
deals with other financial institutions to reschedule
Moscow's debts inherited from the Soviet Union. Mr.
Stepashin recently acknowledged those debts are a big
burden on the Russian economy. (Signed)
NEB/ADEN/KL
27-Jul-1999 14:29 PM LOC (27-Jul-1999 1829 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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