Russian Ambassador on South Africa:Russian Relations; Russian Foreign Policy: briefing

Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE MEETING
26 March 2003
RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR ON SOUTH AFRICA:RUSSIAN RELATIONS; RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY: BRIEFING

Acting Chairperson: Mr D Sithole (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Address by His Excellency Mr. Andrei Kushakov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, to the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs of the National Assembly of the Parliament of South Africa (Appendix)

SUMMARY
The Russian Ambassador briefed the committee on selected aspects of Russian foreign policy, notably in terms of: globalisation, the war in Iraq, terrorism, the current situation in the Chechen Republic, Russian foreign policy in Africa and Russian foreign policy in South Africa. Russia's relationship with South Africa was discussed.

MINUTES
The acting chairperson, Mr Sithole, spoke of the long history of good relation between the Russian and South African peoples, and assured the delegation that they were "among friends".

Mr Kushakov stated that Russia severely frowned upon any unilateral action taken in international crises, and that his government would continue urging these countries to end hostilities in Iraq. He was not against the use of force per se, but that the allied coalition had yet to provide evidence that Iraq posed a direct threat to the security of these nations.

The ambassador emphasised that Africa was a priority in Russian foreign policy decisions, and that Russia was committed to assisting the continent in developing further as well as maintaining security and stability in the region. Russia played a key role in the United Nations in this respect, with peace-keeping missions stationed in multiple locations throughout Africa. Furthermore, Russia had written off 26 billion dollars of African debt.

Mr Kushakov turned to a discussion of Russia's relations with South Africa. Relations and trade between the two countries were rapidly improving, citing an increase of 92% in trade turnover between them. Russia had recently added South Africa to a list of developing countries, thus laying the groundwork for even larger increases in the future.

Discussion
Mr L. Zita (ANC), in relation to Mr Kushakov's points on the situation in Chechnya, asked for an indication of the population of the state in order to contextualise the figures quoted in his address.

Mr Kushakov replied that, including children, the population was approximately one million, but that the figure was difficult to pin-point due to the mass exodus of Russian nationals during the conflict.

Ms. F. Haijaj (ANC) thanked the delegation on behalf of the South African people for all their assistance throughout the struggle for liberation. She asked the delegation if there was any potential for a student exchange system to be put into place, as well as if there was any potential for military co-operation between the two states taking place, specifically to share training programmes and to take part in joint exercises.

The ambassador said that the Russian government had in fact financed such an exchange scheme and earmarked twenty scholarships to South African students. Unfortunately, none of these had been taken up, and he welcomed any suggestions that may help improve this state of affairs. He further stated that Russian facilities would be made available to South African troops in order to train for peacekeeping operations.

A member pointed out that US troops had not, as yet, discovered weapons of mass destruction, and stated that the UN must take action. The ambassador agreed, but stated that only diplomatic pressure could be brought to bear on the allied coalition. He voiced his astonishment that the US were so surprised about the alleged mistreatment of their troops whilst civilian lives where being lost in Iraq. Russia was sending humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people. When asked for detail, Mr Kushakov declined to comment on the US claim that Iraq was using Russian-made weapons.

Mr Zita asked about the possibility of South African and Russian film-makers collaborating. Mr Kushakov replied that this was a great possibility in the near future.

Mr C. Eglin (DP) asked about the possibility of restructuring the UN, in light of the veto system's failure to stop the conflict. The ambassador tentatively agreed that some restructuring was necessary, but added that this was a sensitive and possibly dangerous matter that should not be rushed.

Ms. I. Mars (IFP) asked whether Mr Putin, the Russian President, had any plans on visiting South Africa in the near future. Mr Kushakov assured her that he did, yet the timing was uncertain due to the current, volatile global situation.

In response to the ambassador's invitation for a delegation of members to visit Russia, Dr Jordan expressed his desire to accept this offer, but was unsure of the composition and timing of such a delegation. He hoped South Africa and Russia would be able to co-operate even more closely in the future.

Meeting was adjourned.

Appendix
ADDRESS BY H.E. MR. ANDREI A. KUSHAKOV, AMBASSADOR OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Globalization
It is more than a decade since humanity liberated itself from the pressure of ideological, political and military confrontation of the Cold War. The community of nations has moved a long distance away from the deadly abyss of nuclear war on the edge of which it stood forty years ago, in the days of the Caribbean crisis.

However, one has to admit that the hopes for a dramatic spurt towards a new add safer world system, which ran so high in the early 1990s, have not yet been justified. New dangers and challenges have come to replace the threat of total nuclear destruction of civilization. They are terrorism and separatism, national, religious and other forms of extremism, drug trafficking and organized crime, regional conflicts and the threat of the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), financial and economic crises, ecological disasters and epidemics. All these problems existed before, but in the era of globalization when the world has become much more interconnected and interdependent, they have begun to quickly acquire a universal character posing a real threat to regional and not infrequently to international security and stability. Indeed, all of us today are living at a time of a single information environment. More than that, the world is gradually becoming an entirely different place. We have left the age of confrontation behind us, and the ongoing formation of a new world order of the 21st century affects the very foundations of the security and prosperity of all nations. We will simply fail to create an optimal model of such world order unless we practice real mutual trust and respect the lawful interests of all nations.

It is only by trusting each other that we can effectively counter the challenges of the age of globalisation. For example, how can anyone effectively fight international terrorism while trying to conceal vital information from one's partners?

There is now a complex process of the emergence of a new world structure. No single state or a group of states have yet a guaranteed place in the world arena.

Simultaneously in international relations there has appeared such a powerful unifying factor as the necessity to counter global threats and challenges, which affect the security interests of the entire world community. The most convincing evidence of this is the global antiterrorist coalition, which arose on the wave of solidarity with the United States following the tragedy of September 11, 2001. It could well constitute one of the elements of a new global security system of the 21st century, of course, providing its foundation will be international law and the central coordinating role of the UN.

Iraq
For the last few months the world has been living in the conditions of mounting tensions around Iraq. The US with the support of the UK and some other countries has started
armed actions against that country, justifying them with the danger of weapons of mass destruction spread.

The position of Russia is very well known. Russia, like other countries, is firmly against any actions whenever taken in circumvention of the United Nations Security Council. If today we indeed had solid facts showing that a direct threat to the security of the United States of America emanates from the Iraq territory, then Russia without hesitation would be ready to use the whole arsenal of measures, envisaged by the UN Charter. However, the Security Council today has no such facts.

President Vladimir V. Putin stated: "The military action against Iraq is a big political mistake". He underlined that these actions were taking place contrary to the world public opinion, contrary to the principles and norms of international law and the Charter of the
UN.

If we allow international law to be replaced by 'the law of the fist! whereby the strong is always right and has the right to do anything, then one of the basic principles of international law will be put into question, and that is the principle of immutable sovereignty of a state. And then no one, not a single country in the world will feel secure. And the vast area of instability that has arisen will grow and cause negative consequences in other regions of the world.
It is for these reasons that Russia insists are still confident that the central role including the situation around Iraq, must on early termination of military actions. And we in resolving the crisis situations in the world, belong to the UN Security Council.

Russia is committed to trying to bring this situation back to a peaceful course and to achieve genuine solution of the issue of Iraq on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions, a solution that would take into account the legitimate interests OF the Iraqi people, respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that country.

Terrorism
Russia encountered the problem of terrorism much earlier than the USA. In 1 999 several quarters in Moscow and other Russian cities were blown up by terrorists in cold blood. Those inhumane acts of crime took several hundreds of lives of innocent women and children.

Frankly speaking, prior to the events of September 11, 2001, we found that many of our colleagues, and not only in Europe, were not very forthcoming on the issues of the fight against international terrorism. For instance, when we spoke about the danger to the world emanating from the territory of Afghanistan, our words were perceived as something rather abstract. But there were some politicians and diplomats who understood us very well.

As to the antiterrorist coalition, in a way, of course, it formed spontaneously as a World reaction to the tragic events of September, 11. And now we face a very serious choice -either this coalition will be an association of states sharing the approaches of the United States on questions of principle and rendering support to them, or it will become an association of states enjoying equal rights which jointly work out assessments, approaches and methods of solving particular problems.

We stand, naturally, for the second approach. And it leads us to the definition contained in the concept, that of a multi-polar world.

Russia in the world in 2003
What do we expect from year of 2003?

The geographical size of the Russian Federation, its huge economical potential and high level of human resources provide all necessary conditions for a stable and effective development as a strong and peaceful world power. Annual growth of our CDP is now 5 %.

We will continue subsequently to pursue a foreign policy aimed at promoting international co-operation and strengthening both global and regional peace and security on the basis of international law. In this context Russia attaches a great importance to the observance of the principles of multi lateralism.

We are strongly committed to consolidating the role of the UN and other international organisations as universal institutions to promote peace, security and co-operation worldwide. The reliability of the emerging system of international relations of the 21 century depends directly on the maintenance and strengthening of strategic stability. In the context of globalisation the role of that factor is growing in many ways.

In this connection the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions signed by the Russian and US Presidents during their Moscow meeting in May, 2002, has acquired particular significance and not only from the military, but also from the political point of view. It is important as a principle that the document reaffirms the objectively existing link between strategic offensive and defensive weapons. So, this treaty is called upon to go a long way to fill the legal vacuum in the sphere of strategic stability that was formed by the US unilateral withdrawal from the ABM Treaty.

The Treaty envisages a considerable reduction in strategic offensive capabilities. In accordance with its provisions by December 3 1, 2012, each of the sides must reduce the levels of its strategic nuclear warheads to 1,700-2,200, i.e. by about three times compared to the maximum level now set by the operative START 1 Treaty. The implementation of the new Treaty will be a significant contribution by the sides also to the fulfilment of their nuclear disarmament obligations under the Treat; on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The new Treaty bears a legally binding character.

The very danger of nuclear, chemical, biological weapons or their components falling into the hands of terrorists or extremist groups multiplies the destructive potential of international terrorism. Hense the particular importance of building up the efforts to strengthen the regimes of non-proliferation of mass destruction weapons and means of their delivery.

An inseparable part of the process of non-proliferation is to prevent the deployment of weaponry in outer space. The time has come to develop a comprehensive agreement with the aim of preserving outer space as a zone free of any weapons.

Situation in the Chechen Republic

The Russian Government has all the time been seeking for the political solution of the Chechen problem. We continue to take every necessary measure to overcome the consequences of the Chechen tragedy. The Government of the Russian Federation adopted Restoration Programme for Chechnya for the year 2003, which amounts to 3,5 bIn. roubles*. The additional sources of financing will be provided by the assets of the Republic itself. The restoration of the economy and the social sphere of the republic, ruined in the years when the separatists were in power, will require much time and persistent efforts on the part of all citizens of Chechnya.

The referendum on the new Constitution of Chechnya and on the laws on presidential and parliamentary elections was held on 23 of March, 2003. Its main issue was the question about the future status of Chechnya - whether it would be a part of the Russian Federation. As many as 400 thousand people took part in the voting, that was more than 80 % of the registered voters.

Apart from Russian journalists, the referendum was covered by representatives of international organizations, including the League of Arab States and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Indeed, there were quite a lot of threats and attempts to frustrate the referendum. However, neither threat to human lives, nor attempts to set on fire polling stations brought any results. Despite the statement by former president of Chechnya Maskhadov that they will prevent the referendum from being held, it did take place. More than that, on the eve of the referendum, two groups of militants voluntary laid down their arms and stated that they were tired of war.

The results of the referendum are the undoubted success of Federal Authorities, the confirmation of the correctness of Moscow's policy towards stabilisation of the situation in the republic. More than 96 % of the voters and all of them are the genuine cltI7ens of the Chechen Republic voiced the willingness to stay with peoples of the Russian Federation and expressed full support to the initiatives of the Federal Government to put further political and economic development of the republic into the peaceful, democratic and constitutional mainstream.

The exchange rate rouble/dollar is approximately 30 roubles/1USD.

The Chechen people is tired of war and all opportunities will be granted to him to be the
Master of his destiny in the autonomous republic being an integrant part of the Russian
Federation.

The intents of the bandits and terrorists who are now still hiding in mountains to return to Chechnya brutal and terrorism regime have been rejected by the Chechens themselves.

Russia 's foreign policy in Africa
The African continent occupies a worthy and a priority place in Russia's foreign policy. African states, which make up almost one third of the UN members play an important role in the Non-Aligned Movement, G-77 and other authoritative international fora. In our opinion, their independent and constructive actions on the international arena are crucial for forming a new balanced multipolar world order based on the principles of strict adherence to universally acknowledged norms of international law.

Though at this historic stage many African countries are still lagging behind other regions in terms of economic development, it nevertheless has all necessary prerequisites, first of all unique natural resources, for revealing its true huge potential and becoming a zone of successful and mutually beneficial economic co-operation.

Russia has always regarded African states as reliable and promising partners. Our country has Embassies in nearly 40 African states and almost the same number of African states' Embassies work in Moscow.

The Concept of the Russian Federation's Foreign Policy, as endorsed by President Vladimir Putin in June 2002, puts it down that "Russia will expand its interaction with African countries and promote the soonest possible settlement of regional military conflicts in Africa" The Concept also points to the need to develop political dialogue with the African Union and subregional African bodies as well as to use their potential for Russia's involvement in multilateral economic projects on the continent.

In capacity of the UN Security Council Permanent Member our country actively contributes to the international community efforts in crisis resolution, including the UN peace-keeping operations. As it is well known, Russian representatives participated and continue to participate in the international peace-keeping contingents in Western Sahara, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Fritrea. At the UN request Russian helicopter unit is attached to the UN Mission in Sierra Leone.

However, Russia doesn't limit itself to crisis settlement. We pay serious attention to post-conflict recovery and overcoming consequences of natural and humanitarian catastrophes. For example, our activity in Rwanda was not confined only to transportation of refugees. Together with the UNDP Russia established a versatile training center there. Assistance was also rendered to Sierra Leone refugees, flood victims in Mozambique, etc.


Russia fully supports processes of political and economic integration on the continent, the African Union efforts aimed at creating collective security system and its own peace-keeping potential.

At the same time we proceed from the understanding that Africa could not solve all of its problems alone. Thus, our country supported the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Programme from its very start. After the G-8 Summit in Kananaskis President Vladimir Putin stated: "As far as Russia is concerned, it has traditionally good relations with Africa. We understand very well all the problems o ~e African continent. Russia is making a tangible contribution to "The Plan of Actions on Africa" initiative including the write-off of African countries' debts. Out of all these debts, which are to be written off, 20 percent (US 26 billion) are African debts to the Russian Federation...

In the interests of realization of the NEPAD Programme Russia is ready to take part in various joint co-operation projects including those in energy and infrastructure development, space exploration, potable water production, health care, distant education, etc.


Relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Africa

We are satisfied with dynamic development of relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Africa.

Last year considerable progress was made in the sphere of political dialogue. An important role in strengthening friendship character of our ties was played by intensified exchange of Messages between the Presidents of the two countries. In 2002 the SA Foreign Minister Dr. N.Dlamini-Zuma paid an official visit to Moscow and a traditional bilateral consultations of Foreign Ministers took place in New York during the UN Assembly. High level contacts in the course of the Russian Prime Minister Kasyanov's participation in the Earth Summit in Johannesburg reaffirmed that the positions of Russia and South Africa on major international problems coincide or are very close. This lays firm foundation for our practical interaction on the international arena first of all on such pressing issues as providing strategic stability, strengthening the UN key role, forming a new balanced multipolar world, crashing international terrorism, etc.

In 2002 our trade turnover raised by 92% and reached USD 138,1 million. Russian exports to South Africa amounted to USD 96,7 million with its major items consisting of oil and oil products (USD 70,3 million), chemical products (USD 17,5 million), rolled ferrous and non-ferrous metals (USD 3,6 million) and industrial machinery (USD 1 ,5 million). Russian imports estimated at 41,5 USD million mainly included fruits, wine and other farm production (USD 19,5 million), industrial machinery (LSD 6,8 million), food-stuff

(USD 2,9 million), raw minerals (USD 2,4 million) and chemical products (USD I million).

The Second Session of the Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) between Russia and South Africa held in November 2002, in Pretoria clearly demonstrated that political approach between our countries is solidly backed by serious mutual interest in further development of trade, economic, scientific and technological exchanges.

The main practical outcomes of the ITEC Session became the recognition of the Russian Federation by the South African Government as a "Market Economy" in November, 2002, and the decision of the Russian Government to include South Africa into the list of developing countries enjoying preferences in trade with Russia. This creates necessary prerequisites for further substantial growth of our bilateral trade in the nearest future.

We consider it of almost equal importance that the discussions at the ITEC Session indicated a big potential for mutually beneficial co-operation in such spheres as energy production, oil and gas industry, space, laser, information and bio-technologies, remote monitoring of mineral resources, development of diamond industries of the two countries, water resources management, forestry, etc.

The main task for both sides in 2003 is to carry out the decisions adopted by the Second ITEC Session, first of all, to ensure fast tracking negotiations on a number of important bilateral Agreements in order to make possible their conclusion in the shortest time frame. Priority provisions of bilateral Agenda for this year also include the holding of next sessions of our Joint Commissions on Science/Technology and Military Co-operation in Moscow.

We are encouraged by the interest shown by the parliamentarians of both countries to boost bilateral co-operation. If you remember the Speaker of the Russian State Duma Mr.G.Seleznev visited Cape Town in September 2001. Honourable Speaker Dr.F.Ginwala is expected to reciprocate this visit shortly. I am pleased to announce that a few days ago I passed an invitation to the Honourable Dr. ZP Jordan to lead the delegation of this Committee to pay a visit to Moscow
Honourable members of the Parliament, in conclusion I wish to express that the current session in the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs will also serve for the strengthening of the relations between our two countries which should once be called a strategic partnership.

Annex
The Major Events in Russian Foreign Policy in 2002

-The development of the integration processes within the CJS. The adoption 0! important decisions at the Chisinau summit of the Commonwealth, including in the area y<joint counteraction against terrorism and other present-day threats and challenges. The strengthening of co-operation with Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS states.

-The signing of the Charter of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and of the Agreement on the Legal Status of the Organization.

-The strengthening of the Eurasian Economic Community and the formation _ the Customs Union and a common economic space on its basis. The accession to the Community of Ukraine and Moldova as observers.

-The holding of the first meeting of the heads of the five Caspian states. The signing of the Russian-Kazakhstan and Russian-Azerbaijani documents on the delineation o/ the contiguous sections of the bed of the Caspian Sea.

-Substantial progress in the elaboration of a new framework for relations between Russia and the United States of America. The signing of the Russia-US Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions and of the Declaration on the New Strategic Relationship.

-The creation of a new mechanism of co-operation between Russia and the NATO Atlantic Alliance - the Russia-NATO Council.

-The elaboration of a mutually acceptable compromise with the European Union oh passenger transit between Russia and the Kahn in grad region. The further strengthening 0~ the partnership between Russia and the EU in the areas of security, economy, energy and in other fields. The development of bilateral relations with Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and other EU member states.

-The strengthening of the full status of Russia in the G8, and the decision on the inclusion of Russia into the cycle of rotating chairmanship of the is forum. Agreement reached within the G8 on the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.

-The strengthening of the strategic partnership with China, and the entry of the Treaty on Goo-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Co-operation with the PRC into force.

- The further development of multifarious co-operation with India.

-The holding of the first summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization in St Petersburg and the signing of the Charter of the SCO and the Agreement on the SCO Regional Antiterrorist Structure.

-The adoption by the United States and the European Union of a decision to recognize the market status of the Russian economy. The removal of Russia from the "black list" of FATF. The raising of the credit rating of Russia within the OECD.