#5522
[Second Issue of the Day]
#9
Izvestia
November 2, 2001
BRZEZINSKI: WE COULDN'T HAVE AGREED WITH THE USSR ON
FIGHTING TERRORISM
Interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski about Russian-US relations
Author: Yevgeny Bai
[from WPS Monitoring Agency, www.wps.ru/e_index.html]
OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT ASKED ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI ABOUT HIS VIEWS ON THE CURRENT SITUATION AROUND THE WORLD, AND POSSIBLE OUTCOMES. BRZEZINSKI PREDICTS THAT RELATIONS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES WILL IMPROVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
The United States is keeping to a friendly-neutral tone toward Russia and its government, for the first time in a long while. Even such a supporter of a hard line on Moscow as political scientist Zbigniew Brzezinski, who used to be the national security adviser for the Carter administration, is no exception. On the eve of another Russian-American summit, our Washington correspondent Yevgeny Bai did a telephone interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski.
Question: Mr. Brzezinski do you consider the present agreement of Russia to collaborate with the United States in fighting Osama bin Ladin to be situational?
Brzezinski: I do not think that the present relaions between Russia and the United States will yield to another twist of confrontation. This will not serve the interests of either of the countries. At the same time, it is still not clear if Russia is willing to become a partner of the US in building a more stable global order, or it is still interested in diminishing US influence in its aspiration to the "multi-polar world".
Only a week ago specific influential russain experts on international affairs submitted a list of terms to be followed by the United States to get Russia's consent to fight terrorism. It was even stated that "America is ready to pay a lot to get this support". This sentence is a good illustration of what I mean speaking of how vague the perspectives are. The first Russian announcements about Chechnya produced an impression that the Russian government would like to profit by the war between terrorists to prove that all Chechens were terrorists. I had a feeling that Moscow was not going to distinguish between moderate figures and extremists in the Chechen resistance movement. Nevertheless, I have to admit: the recent actions of President Putin, who agreed to send his representative to Maskhadov's people, have proved that Russia is ready to acknowledge this difference between the milder groups and the extremists. This principal point may serve as a base for achieving political settlement in Chechnya.
Question: Has the global geo-political situation changed since the terrorist attacks of September 11?
Brzezinski: It would be an exaggeration to say that a "new geo- political situation" has set in. But I foresee that in the nearest several months there may be established new relationships between leading states. The collaboration of Russia and China with the United States in fighting terrorism may serve as a basis for a wider strategical cooperation and establish a new geo-political determination for the whole global situation. But main realias of economical, financial, technological and even cultural might of the United States will not undergo any changes. The position of the US in the world will not be transformed.
Question: In your opinion, is the world moving toward a confrontation between the two major religions?
Brzezinski: I do not think that fighting terrorism implies any religions confrontation. Now a lot of terrorists are Muslims, although lately terrorist acts have been carried out by non-Muslims as well. In any case, it is wise to bear in mind that Islam unites 1.3 billion believers, and most of them are neither fanatics, nor holy war supporters.
Question: Do you think the United States will boost its military presence in the Central Asia countries?
Brzezinski: The United States does not have any reason to do this. At the same time, Washington welcomes collaboration with the Uzbekistan authorities, who were the first to present everything required for responding to Al-Queda.
Question: You were national security adviser to President Carter, when he decided to help the mojahedin in Afghanistan. If history gave you a second chance, what would you do?
Brzezinski: I do not think the international situation would be better now if the USSR, which supported terrorist training in the 1970s and 1980s, still existed. It would be very difficult, practically impossible, to fight terrorism if the USSR still supported it. The military campaign started by the Soviet Union resulted in polarization of Afghanistan, if not fanatization. The result of the Soviet invasion was destruction of Afghanistan's society and strengthening of extremist groups. As for the policies of this country, the United States never gave the Taliban any military aid.
Question: Do you believe that Bush and Putin might achieve some major agreements on both countries' withdrawal from the ABM Treaty?
Brzezinski: I think it quite possible that the United States and Russia may come to an agreement which will let them change terms of the ABM Treaty with considerable cuts in nuclear warheads. This agreement will be very good for both the states, and that is why I hope that President Putin will accept a formula which will allow to re-consider the ABM Treaty, and will make it possible to station a certain number of anti-missile systems. I also expect that the summit of NATO member states next year will pass a resolution on expanding this organization (with possible admittance of the Baltic states).
(Translated by Daria Brunova)
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