03/01/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-09734

VERSHBOW ON U.S.-RUSSIA RELATIONS

As U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow said, "The United States and Russia are closer today -- politically, economically and militarily -- than at any time in our history." Russian President Vladimir Putin has evidently concluded that Russia’s future economic growth and political influence can best be served through closer relations with Europe and the U.S.

The terrible events of September 11^th have provided an opportunity to improve U.S.-Russian relations. President Putin’s support was crucial to the success of the anti-terrorist campaign in Afghanistan. But the U.S.-Russian partnership is broader than the war on terrorism.

It is clear that the U.S. and members of NATO, and Russia face similar threats to their security. These include global terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction, as well as regional instability and militant nationalism. NATO plans to establish a forum in which the alliance’s nineteen members and Russia can work together on the basis of consensus.

NATO and Russia must work to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction that could give terrorists -- or states that support them -- a greater capacity to attack civilians. NATO and Russia must also work on assessments of terrorist threats, and develop systems to coordinate counter-terrorist operations.

Democracies face a difficult issue today: how to preserve freedom while combating terrorism. NATO has never deviated from its fundamental purposes: to live in peace with all peoples and governments and to defend freedom. That’s why there can be no doubt that the U.S. and its allies will do what it takes to defend against the threat of international terrorism.