by John Isaacs
The conflict between Russia and Georgia has brought the diplomatic and political relationship between the United States and Russia to a standstill. The Bush Administration has chosen a foreign policy stance that unconditionally supports Georgia while simultaneously condemning Russia. This policy approach has been described as adhering to a long-standing U.S. policy supporting pro-democratic, sovereign countries and based on the administration’s assumptions about Russian territorial aspirations. However, there are many in Congress and across the nation who believes failing to engage Russia at this time is not only an abandonment of diplomacy, but potentially damaging to a future relationship with Russia on matters that are critical to U.S. national security interests.
The following are quotes from members of Congress and the media that highlight the importance of maintaining relations with Russia:
WHAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE SAYING:
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), from the House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing: U.S.-Russian Relations in the Aftermath of the Georgia Crisis, September 9, 2008:
“Since the fall of Soviet communism with Russia ready to be our friend at that point in pulling back its military and letting all those people free, ending the Cold War, we have managed to make an enemy out of Russia. We have pushed them into the arms of China and Iran, which is contrary to the long-term interests of both our countries. Whether it’s an unwillingness to let them into the Western markets or demanding that the new Russian democratic government pay for the debts of the communist dictatorship that preceded it or just the attitude of being clearly belligerent, we have pushed Russia in the wrong direction.”
“…the Russians were right; we’re wrong. The Georgians started it; the Russians ended it.” (pg. 6)
Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), from the Hearing of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, September 9, 2008:
“I think it is important that we not send a signal, for instance, that we’re no longer interested in working with her [Russia] to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons.”
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), from the Hearing of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, September 9, 2008:
“…as we promote the idea of the international commission, it would be important to keep up a dialogue with Russia. To that end, I am somewhat troubled by the withdrawal from the nonproliferation efforts that we were engaged in. I think we ought to be able to hold competing thoughts in our minds at the same time.”
“…rather than seeking to isolate them, which I think is not a smart proposal, we should be much more strategic. And I don’t know that it’s in our interest for the administration to withdraw the nonproliferation agreement that you had negotiated.”
Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA), from the House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing: U.S.-Russian Relations in the Aftermath of the Georgia Crisis, September 9, 2008:
“On an ongoing basis our bilateral relations with Russia should be based on realistic assessments of needs and threats as well as costs and risks and manpower.”
“…our policy with Russia must continue to be one of constructive engagement, not isolation, that ties Russia even closer to democratic systems of governance and free and open markets” (pg. 7)
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), from the House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing: U.S.-Russian Relations in the Aftermath of the Georgia Crisis, September 9, 2008:
“…there’s plenty of reason to be skeptical of Moscow, but our policy can best be regarded as unthinkingly and reflexively anti-Russian, particularly at a time when we need Russia’s support on a number of issues including the containment of Iran” (Pg. 5).
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), from the House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing: U.S.-Russian Relations in the Aftermath of the Georgia Crisis, September 9, 2008:
“I want us to find a balanced policy. I want the United States to be an honest broker with integrity that fosters democracy and recognizes its interests…we realize that our friends in Russia are as important as our friends in Georgia. We must find a balance.” (pg. 8)
Rep. Ron Klein (D-FL), from the House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing: U.S.-Russian Relations in the Aftermath of the Georgia Crisis, September 9, 2008:
“…Russia-U.S. collaboration on the issue of Iranian nuclear program is critical. President Bush must maintain diplomatic leverage with Russia in order to ensure that Iran does not become nuclear, which would threaten stability, not only in the Middle East, but throughout the world.”
“What Russia did was unacceptable, but I think we also ought to understand there’s a measure of response here that we need to add, because Russia will be important in our dealings with Iran.” (pg. 10)
EDITORIALS/OPINION PIECES:
USA Today editorial,”Our View on the Georgia- Russia conflict: Guns of August Reveal Putin’s Larger Ambition, August 12, 2008
“…the U.S. response is critical. The U.S. has limited military and diplomatic options to help its embattled ally, but failure in Georgia will only embolden a Russia that has now shown the world a new willingness to flex its military muscles. The immediate need is to find a way for all sides to calm down and seek a negotiated path back from the brink.”
Rose Gottemoeller (CEIP), “One Way to Save the Relationship”, The Moscow Times, August 27, 2008
“For anyone who cares deeply about U.S.-Russian relations, events in Georgia are a great tragedy…because the United States and Russia are major players in the international arena, and so much depends on their ability to work together to solve critical problems… a new consensus must now be brokered between Russia and its European neighbors, and the United States must have a vital role in the process.”
The Seattle Times editorial, “Look In Russia’s Eyes, August 16, 2008
“Nothing about this crisis has the feeling of being resolved…The West has a practical stake in engaging Russia as a significant regional economic and military influence.”
The Florida Times Union Opinion, United States Needs to Engage Russia, September 3, 2008
“The outbreak of hostilities between Russia and Georgia should serve as a wake-up call to U.S. policymakers. We need a comprehensive strategy toward this former superpower…our interests will best be served by engaging Russia across the broad spectrum of issues in which the United States has deep interests. Our interests will suffer if Russia becomes more isolated.”
Erica Poff contributed to research for this article.
