#11
Rossiiskaya Gazeta
July 25, 2002
IGOR IVANOV: TO WIN WITHOUT TRICKS
An interview with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov
Author: Sergei Merinov
[translation from RIA Novosti for personal use only]

THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES RUSSIA'S STAND ON A NUMBER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ISSUES: THE MIDEAST, IRAQ, NORTH KOREA, THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND THE CIS. HE ALSO COMMENTS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF RUSSIAN PROPERTY ABROAD, AND THE PERSONNEL POLICY OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY.

Question: Russia is very involved in the Mideast peace process nowadays. What can we do - and what can be done at all?

Igor Ivanov: First and foremost, I think the events of the last two years, since September 2000, make it absolutely clear that no one can succeed all alone.

This understanding gradually evolved into the formation of a quartet: Russia, the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations. In numerous and extensive consultations, it was concluded that it is necessary to consolidate efforts of states and organizations actively involved in the resolution process.

At the same time, the quartet isn't claiming a monopoly on action. It is open to contacts and cooperation with Arab and other partners. An economic restoration program for Palestine is being developed, with the participation of Japan, Norway, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. The quartet generates ideas, and is trying to consolidate the efforts of the international community... We have done all we could to assist in restoring contacts between the secret services of Israel and the Palestinians. Moreover, the quartet is actively helping the Palestinian administration to reorganize its security services and to establish a common system of security supervised by appropriate state structures.

Needless to say, we are not justifying terrorism. We do not justify the actions of the suicide bombers who kill dozens or hundreds of people. On the other hand, the process of maintaining security should be accompanied by a process of finding solutions to the humanitarian and economic problems the Palestinian territories are facing. Palestine should be extracted from its state of despair, both political (from the point of view of creating an independent state) and economic. More jobs means fewer trigger-happy men.

There are some heartening details becoming apparent now. I recently talked to our Ambassador Andrei Vdovin, who telephoned me Gaza. He was meeting there with Palestinian leaders and Israeli officials who had got in touch and began discussions and consultations. However, suddenly Israel struck at the Gaza strip again. All this certainly plays into the hands of those who want everything settled by the force of arms. There will be no solution based on the force of arms: the United States, Europe, and Russia see that plainly. There can be only one solution: the existence of two sovereign states, Israeli and Palestinian, within secure borders recognized by the international community. Israel is emphasizing security of the borders first and foremost, but Palestine needs the borders to be recognized by the international community, because at present it doesn't have any rights.

Question: What about the problem of Yasser Arafat? Does it still exist?

Igor Ivanov: The United States has made its position clear. It is disappointed in Arafat and his activities. Washington considers that the Palestinians would be better off with another leader. This is the opinion of the United States.

The UN, European Union, Russia, and the majority of other countries are convinced that it is up to the Palestinians to choose their own leader. By the way, if I may remind you, Arafat did not appoint himself back in 1986. He was elected, and the election was internationally recognized as legitimate.

Unfortunately, we cannot take time out now for a new election. We need a dialogue now, involving those who actually wield power.

Question: Why doesn't Russia officially apply for membership of the European Union?

Igor Ivanov: We aren't applying for NATO membership either. One should act on the basis of the true situation and analysis of the situation. There is more to the European Union than economics. There is also a political aspect to its existence, and a military aspect will probably take shape soon. It would be inappropriate to speak of integration with only the economic criterion in mind.

We have to decide what will benefit Russia and what will not. Precise economic calculations are needed. That applies to the European Union and the World Trade Organization.

I'm not yet convinced that membership would benefit us more than some form of broad-based partnership without any artificial barriers.

Question: How would you evaluate the situation in the CIS?

Igor Ivanov: We recognize the sovereignty of other CIS members, and treat them as sovereign and independent states. Some countries are closer to us, some are more distant - geographically and politically.

In my view, the CIS played an important role in the first phase. It prevented post-Soviet republics from drifting so far away from one another that future reintegration would have been impossible.

CIS leaders asked Russia to chair the working group and prepare proposals for the optimization of CIS structures for the next summit, scheduled to take place in Kishinev, Moldova, on October 7.

Our cooperation should be centered around trade. We consider that the Euro-Asian Economic Community should be facilitated and developed. This is a viable organization which can really handle the issues and problems our countries are facing.

Question: Do you "promote business interests"?

Igor Ivanov: Yes. Our embassies abroad lobby in favor of all sorts of projects. When tenders are held in other countries, a great deal depends on how actively political leverage is used. That is why we keep in touch with the majority of large companies operating in Russia and abroad. We cooperate with the Economic Development Ministry as well, needless to say. What really matters right now is optimizing our resources - personnel and financial resources. Duplication should be eliminated. To achieve this, we need the forms of cooperation that will consolidate our resources and make their use truly effective. I have no doubt that the Economic Development Ministry and the Foreign Ministry, working together, will find the solution.

What we need in our dealings abroad is a "single fist", united coordination. The ambassador in each nation should coordinate everything, as the supreme official representing Russia's interests abroad.

Question: The Foreign Ministry is a conservative structure. Are diplomats themselves ready to perform these new functions?

Igor Ivanov: These days, many issues overlap the borders of jurisdiction of several ministries. Because of this, we have representatives of various other structures - the ministries of agriculture, economy, finances, and so on.

Question: How effective are the state structures that are supposed to inventory Russian property abroad and manage it?

Igor Ivanov: According to a presidential decree, two structures are responsible for Russian property abroad. The Foreign Ministry is responsible for the property of embassies, general consulates, and consulates. We know everything there is to know about it. We cannot use this property for any purpose other than performing our diplomatic functions.

The second category of property abroad is what was used by dozens of ministries and departments in the past; now managed by the Presidential Affairs Directorate. This body is now doing an inventory in order to decide how to use the property most effectively.

If you ask me, state property abroad should not be sold. After all, we would be forced to buy it afterwards at a much higher price. We've already had this experience. In Israel, for example.

Question: You used to be the Soviet Ambassador to Spain. How did that compare with your current position? Was diplomatic work more interesting then, or now?

Igor Ivanov: The work of a diplomat is always interesting. The disintegration of the Soviet Union was the most difficult period, of course.

These days, the situation is radically different. Coordination is complete. The president outlines foreign policy. Needless to say, new challenges arise and need to be met. We have to find Russia's new place in the world - with all factors, external and internal, analyzed and taken into account. A great deal depends here on how professionally and competently our diplomats formulate their proposals.

The diplomatic corps numbers almost 3,000 officials now, with over half assigned to our structures abroad.

As a rule, the Foreign Ministry is staffed with professionals. By the way, it takes between 12 and 15 years to train an adequate diplomat who can be trusted to conduct negotiations and perform other functions. That is why our attention is always focused on working with young people. The personnel policy of the Foreign Ministry enables us to solve our own problems and lend specialists in international affairs to other structures when that is needed. Our diplomats work in the structures of the Cabinet and Federal Assembly.

Many of our colleagues are working in the presidential administration, especially in the Foreign Policy Directorate headed by professional diplomat Sergei Prikhodko. The presidential press service is headed by another diplomat, Alexei Gromov.

Question: You will soon visit North and South Korea. Is this what's called "shuttle diplomacy"?

Igor Ivanov: These visits are elements of a broad tour of Asia. President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea gave a noticeable boost to the process of Korean resolution. Diplomatic relations were established between Pyongyang and other nations, and with the European Union. This is our view: North Korea has to be integrated into regional international processes. This will facilitate Korean resolution.

We have always welcomed the dialogue between South Korea and North Korea. We believe - and Russia has been doing all it can in this respect - that the dialogue should expand. This is important for us, our neighbors, and the Asia-Pacific region in general.

Question: Russia is playing the special role of mediator...

Igor Ivanov: It is an active role, not merely "special". We are not in anyone's way. We would only welcome anyone else who decides to be as active in the process as we are. We have said as much to Washington and Tokyo.

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov has gone to Tokyo for what may be described as restoration of consultations over the peace treaty. We have always tried to uphold and support the dialogue. Unfortunately, a number of reasons combined to suspend the consultations for almost a year. We are about to revive them, and Tokyo's constructive position is very important. I hope that Losyukov's visit will be followed by the foreign minister of Japan visiting Russia this October to continue talks covering the whole spectrum of bilateral relations, including the peace treaty of course.

Question: Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov has gone to the Persian Gulf...

Igor Ivanov: Yes. He will attend consultations in Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Among other things, resolution of the Iraq situation will be discussed. Iraq is the most vulnerable area at present. The Americans have become active in this respect, that much cannot be denied. I think the UN Security Council may soon do something to prepare the international community and public opinion for some dangerous turn of events. However, Moscow is convinced that the political and diplomatic potential for resolution has not been exhausted yet. It is necessary to work actively with Iraq and other countries to make sure that UN Security Council resolutions are observed (those guaranteeing that Iraq doesn't have weapons of mass destruction), and that Iraq may look forward to sanctions being lifted in the future.

It is very important to persuade Iraq to accept foreign observers to confirm the validity of its assurances that it doesn't have mass destruction weapons or programs to produce them. A positive conclusion by international experts would have paved the way to the lifting of sanctions. We believe that the solution to the problem of Iraq can be found by diplomatic means alone.

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