06/22/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-09961

HAASS ON RUSSIAN REFORM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his country’s long-term prosperity requires that Russia be fully integrated into the world economy. That is why Russia is seeking World Trade Organization membership and closer ties to the European Union. The Russian economy has grown significantly in recent years. But sustaining that growth will require more reforms and investment in key sectors of the economy.

Director of Policy and Planning at the U.S. State Department, Richard Haass, says that those who govern Russia must recognize that good governance, democracy, and a vibrant civil society are prerequisites for serious participation in the world economy. Foreign investment will only flow where risks do not outweigh likely returns. That’s why it is critical that Russia become a democratic, market-oriented state.

One measure of Russia’s success will be progress on political reform, human rights, and economic reform. The U.S., said Mr. Haass, is "troubled by the backsliding [it] see[s] in some of these areas, in particular, freedom of the press and freedom of independent political and non-governmental organizations. There will inevitably be stops and starts along the way," he said, "but the answer to problems of democracy and reform is more democracy and more reform." The current dialogue between American and Russian media officials provides hopeful signs for the future.

President Putin’s response to the terrorist attacks on September 11^th has helped to create a strong base for cooperation in fighting terrorism. But this is not the only basis for cooperation. Most recently, the NATO-Russia Council was launched, giving Russia a new level of involvement in European security. The council will focus on a number of issues where NATO and Russia share a common interest and common purposes, including counter-terrorism and non-proliferation.

The Cold War is over. But as Richard Haass said, "We must also win the peace, and that requires the emergence of a democratic, prosperous, and open Russia fully integrated into the global community."