| Supporting declarations of strategic partnership by definite
actions and improvement of understanding of each other represent
the urgent tasks of Russia-US relations from the point of
view of the YABLOKO party.
Such statements are made in the document handed by Sergei
Mitrokhin, YABLOKO’s leader, to President of the USA Barack
Obama during their meeting on July 7.
YABLOKO’s Position on Some
Important Strategic Issues of Russian-American Relations
envisages that “partnership and cooperation of Russia with
the United States and the European Union, building of common
understanding of the fundamental principles of law and human
rights on this pan-European political space and removal of
military confrontation there” have always been the key goals
of the party since its foundation in 1993.
YABLOKO notes that politicians of both the states are liable
for the problems in the bilateral relations. “Russia has not
got from the West a single proposal on real comprehensive
strategic cooperation in the past twenty years, since the
end of the Cold War”, runs the document.
Its authors are certain that the new stage of the world history
which began after the end of the Cold War and is characterized
by the emergence of a great political and cultural diversity
requires new strategic vision. In YABLOKO’s opinion, the prospects
of Russia-US relationships lie in “step by step convergence,
rapprochement and cooperation”, YABLOKO considers “efforts
targeted at significant improvement of understanding of each
other, first of all of the Russian realia, to be a right step
here”.
YABLOKO proposes a definite strategic project the two countries
can begin working at. It is creation of a joint European and
eventually global ABM system. According to YABLOKO, “it is
an important and efficient method of enhancing the nuclear
non-proliferation regime and getting concessions from the
countries that violate the decisions of the UN Security Council
and are extremely interested in maintaining the confrontation
between the RF and the US on the ABM issue”. YABLOKO proposed
the idea of a joint Russia-US ABM system for Europe in 1999
and has been promoting it since that time. According to YABLOKO’s
experts, this project can significantly increase security
throughout the continent and facilitate development of strategic
partnership between Russia, the European Union and the USA.
YABLOKO also supports the initiatives of the US President
on nuclear disarmament, noting however, that it is important
so that “from now on declared political positions should be
consistent with practical steps of their implementation. Unfortunately,
both the sides have often failed to demonstrate this so far”.
YABLOKO calls the US side to abolish “its attempts of preservation
of a large number of missiles by means of transfer of warheads
to the depots” for the sake of development of a broad-scale
military and political cooperation.
YABLOKO thinks that the fact that both Russia and the USA
largely belong to the European culture and civilization forms
a good basis for cooperation. “The tragedies of the 20-th
century have split our world, however, the policies of the
21st century have to bring it together again on the basis
of shared values. This requires much effort, but the result
is worth it. The good will of our society … made possible
the deconstruction the totalitarian system. This fact demonstrates
that freedom and democracy are as important for the Russian
citizens, as for the Americans. Whatever complicated situations
we have to face in the future, it should be borne in mind
that Russians are the people capable of understanding Americans.
The main thing which the US President can do here is to try
to understand Russia and its people”, runs the document.
See also:
Position on Some Important
Strategic Issues of Russian-American Relations
SERGEI MITROKHIN’S SPEECH
AT THE MEETING WITH US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA Key Notes
Russia's
ABM Initiatives
Russia-US
Relations
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