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Russian Deputy Security Council Secretary Chernov on Russia's Role in Post-War Iraq, North Korea, Withdrawal of Peacekeepers From Balkans
Vremya MN
25 April 2003
Interview with Russian Deputy Security Council Secretary Oleg Chernov, conducted by Interfax correspondent Pavel Koryashkin:
"Moscow Will Defend Its Economic Interests;"
place and date not given

In an interview with our Interfax correspondent Pavel Koryashkin, conducted especially for Vremya MN, Security Council Deputy Secretary Oleg Chernov stated that Russia is striving to participate in the post-war restoration of Iraq.

[Correspondent] Russia had significant interests in pre-war Iraq, both in the sphere of the oil industry, and in other sectors. What loss has our country incurred as a result of the regime change in Baghdad?

[Chernov] Russia is incurring significant losses--around $12 billion. First of all, Baghdad still owes Moscow $8.5 billion. Secondly, the export of Russian goods within the scope of the "Oil for Food" program comprised a sum of $180-$250 million in recent years, and, with the start of the war, deliveries there ceased altogether. The overall sum of Russian-Iraqi contracts exceeds $1.2 billion. Of those, the UN Committee on Sanctions has already approved contracts for $847 million, and another $537 million are under review. Aside from this, work has been performed in the sum of $763 million. Many contracts have been concluded in the sphere of the power industry, irrigation and agriculture, but now their fulfillment has been placed in question.

[Correspondent] The USA, which is overseeing the restoration of Iraq, will probably not want to allow Russia into this process, and we, in striving to mend the crack in relations with the USA, will evidently not be overly stubborn?

[Chernov] While proceeding farther along the channel of strategic partnership with the USA, we will defend our economic interests in Iraq. For these purposes, negotiations are being conducted with the USA and Great Britain, and with the UN. From the UN itself, we need firm commitments in regard to all contracts of the humanitarian program in Iraq, which are being implemented by Russia.

[Correspondent] What will happen to the Russian industrial facilities in Iraq?

[Chernov] We must strive toward conclusion of agreements on return of Russian specialists to Iraq, to the objects of cooperation on which work has been suspended. We should also resolve the question of including Russian industrial associations in the restoration work--specifically, at objects which were built with our participation even in Soviet times. I believe that, within the framework of the post-war arrangement of Iraq, Russia could make a contribution to the implementation of emergency projects. This includes putting out fires, with subsequent restoration of the objects, clearing mines and restoring the infrastructure, monitoring and revitalizing zones of ecological degradation, purification of water sources and terrain, and emergency provision of medical preparations.

[Correspondent] Let us go from Iraq to another point of unrest--the Korean peninsula. Pyongyang's nuclear program concerns not only the USA. Is there any hope of ensuring the non-nuclear status of the Korean peninsula?

[Chernov] I would not like to make any pessimistic predictions. We are counting on the common sense and good will of the leaders of the appropriate states. Russia is ready to provide comprehensive assistance in the constructive resolution of the North Korean problem by political means. The corresponding specific considerations of the Russian side are well known to Washington and Pyongyang, as well as to other interested countries.

[Correspondent] Can the withdrawal of Russian "blue helmets" from Bosnia and Kosovo complicate the situation in the Balkans?

[Chernov] It is presumed that the withdrawal of the peacekeepers will be performed on a step-by-step basis, with adherence of existing obligations by the Russian side. The decision on our participation in the peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Kosovo at the initial stage of regulation was, undoubtedly, correct, and corresponded to Russia's interests. But now, the situation there has considerably stabilized. In Bosnia and Hercegovina, the question of forceful opposition between the parties in the conflict has in fact been removed, and the peacekeeping activity is moving from the military phase into what is generally a policing action. Kosovo is still far from final stabilization, but nevertheless, the efforts of the international community already do not bear a purely military character there, but are more greatly called upon to aid in the return of the refugees, social rehabilitation of the region, and maintaining law and order. The funds, which are freed up as a result of the withdrawal of Russian military servicemen, may be directed toward the needs of our army, the resolution of current questions of its reform, and its changeover to a contract basis.

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