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)
Serbian News Network - SNN
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