#3
Nezavisimaya Gazeta
No. 190
October 11, 2001
[translation from RIA Novosti for personal use only]
AMERICANS HAVEN'T COME TO STAY, BUT
MOSCOW SHOULDN'T LET THEM JUST BOMB SITES AND LEAVE
Alexei ARBATOV, deputy chairman of the State Duma Defence
Committee, believes that after the rout of the Taliban
movement, which may happen next year, there won't be any need
for Washington's presence on the CIS countries' borders.
Question:
One of the questions which arise in connection
with the start of the US and British military operation in
Afghanistan, is how it will influence Russia and its interests.
Answer:
Russia itself is a participant in the operation
and protects its own interests. If Moscow had stayed on the
sidelines, this would have had negative consequences. Firstly,
because the operation against the Taliban movement cannot be
successful without Russia's participation, and secondly,
because the further active presence of the Taliban movement,
including in Chechnya and Central Asian republics, would
negatively affect the well-being of our society and the
country's security.
Question:
How long will the US-British action last, in
your opinion?
Answer:
If the action aims at capturing bin Laden and his
associates, it all depends on the efficiency of special
services and special-purpose units. They may capture him in a
week, a month, or never. As for the rout of the Taliban, this
is hardly possible until the end of this year. If the operation
of targeted strikes on the Taliban and assistance to the
Northern Alliance continues, the latter might rout the Taliban
armed formations by the end of next year, restore legal power
in the country and start forming a coalition government and
stabilising the country's socio-economic situation. However, if
we mean the fight against international terrorism, it will last
for years, even given the maximally coordinated efforts of all
civilised states.
Question:
Is there a danger that Russia might come under a
terrorist attack? Could our country count on support from the
West in such a case?
Answer:
Regrettably, terrorist actions may be directed
against Russia, too. By the way, it was so in 1999 and later.
However, if Russia stayed alone in such situations before, now,
in connection with the change of the entire international
situation, it has opportunities to get support from abroad,
including from advanced democracies. Naturally, Russia's
participation in the counter-terrorist operation should
presuppose mutual commitments should a terrorist act be carried
out here. Wherever this might happen, Russia must be sure that
it will get political, military and economic assistance from
those states together with which it is taking part in the
anti-terrorist operation by contributing its resources and thus
bringing just retribution on all those people who are guilty of
the terrorist attacks in the United States.
Question:
According to some press reports, Russian
soldiers are fighting in tanks of the Northern Alliance.
Answer:
This isn't really so. There are no Russian
soldiers there now. What there is is Russian military hardware
and Russian weapons, as well as instructors, advisers and
technical specialists who must ensure the proper functioning of
this hardware and train troops of the Northern Alliance to use
it.
However, if the Taliban launches a counter-offensive and
violates state frontiers of Uzbekistan or Tajikistan, I think
Russia will have to grapple with it and protect Central Asian
republics the security of which is directly linked with actual
interests of our country's security. If the Northern Alliance
needs air support when attacking the Taliban and the United
States fails to provide it, I think Russia must ensure such
support. But Moscow shouldn't send any troops to Afghanistan or
take part in land forces' operations there. It is for Afghan
nationals to liberate their own country. Russia may help them,
but it shouldn't assume such functions.
Question:
Do you think Americans have come to stay at the
CIS countries' borders?
Answer:
No, I don't think they've come here to stay.
Americans will stay as long as is needed for carrying out the
operation. Our task now is not to let them just bomb sites and
go away leaving us face to face with the Central Asian
republics and the continuing war in Afghanistan. We would like
them to stay as long as is needed for routing the Taliban and
restoring the legal government of Afghanistan to its rights.
When this is done, there won't be any grounds for US military
presence there.
Transcript by Yulia PETROVSKAYA.
