Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
February 18, 2005, Friday
WILL NATO BE ON FRIENDLY TERMS WITH THE ORGANIZATION OF THE
COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY?
by WPS observer
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov’s visit to Munich attracted
the attention of military experts. Moscow continues informing the
international community about its foreign political priorities.
Sergei Ivanov made a report on this topic in the US in January. His
“Washington theses” concerned Russia’s interests in the post-Soviet
republics. This time the Russian minister focused on plans of
co-operation between Russia and NATO. Sergei Ivanov thinks that
operational compatibility and co-operation in search-and-rescue
operations are the most prospective sectors of co-operation.
He stated at the conference, “We are prepared to reach a new level of
co-operation with the alliance.” The minister noted that, “direct
contacts between the alliance and the Organization of the collective
security treaty may bring in positive results”.
Sergei Ivanov announced this thesis for the first time. To all
appearances, it is no coincidence. The Russian media stated that
Moscow winds up integration within the framework of the CIS and
proceeds have closer contacts with its strategic partners in the
Organization of the collective security treaty.
Well-informed sources in the Defense Ministry stated that Moscow
agreed to Astana’s proposal to abolish the Headquarters for
coordinating military co-operation between the CIS member nations. To
all appearances, this decision will be made at the CIS summit in
Kazan (Russia) in August 2005.
What will Russia lose? Will NATO become a partner for members of the
Organization of the collective security treaty?
As is known, Russia opposes NATO’s expansion to the CIS. Russia has
its own interests in the CIS, and it must defend its interests. In
the meantime, member nations of the Organization of the collective
security treaty have their interests too. For instance, Kyrgyzstan
permitted NATO to deploy its airbase in Manas, not far from Russia’s
airbase in Kannt. Kazakhstan, Armenia and Tajikistan would not mind
receiving military aid from NATO. However, Moscow does not like this.
For instance, Russia seeks to demilitarize the Caspian Sea, and does
not approve of NATO’s aid to Kazakhstan in creating its national
Navy. The participation of Kazakh and Armenian units in the operation
in Iraq contravenes Russia’s interests. In other words, the members
of the Organization of the collective security treaty have different
tasks and goals/ secondly, it is not clear in what form co-operation
between the Organization of the collective security treaty and NATO
can develop.
The point is that these two organizations are rivals in Central Asia.
It is hardly likely that Moscow will agree to co-operate with NATO in
settling conflicts in the Caucasus. There are no common interests in
the west of the CIS either.
Ivanov reproached the West for using double standards and approaches.
He said, “The West proposes us to ignore violations of the rights and
freedoms of Russian citizens in the Baltic States.”
Ivanov stated, “They propose us to ignore precedents when some
European nations harbor international terrorists. They call
terrorists operating in Chechnya insurgents. Foreign mercenaries of
international terrorist organizations operate in this region. At
present there are 150 to 200 foreign mercenaries in Chechnya.”
The minister said, “I consider the interview with terrorist Basaev
shown by the UK television as an unfriendly act addressed at Russia.”
In other words, the Russian defense minister uncovered many problems
of relations between Moscow and NATO in Munich. Russia again tries to
put up a bold front. This is why Sergei Ivanov recalled about the
Organization of the collective security treaty. NATO will not become
its friend. Actually, Russia does not need this. Otherwise, NATO’s
soldiers will soon come to Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia. Does Moscow
need this? No, it does not.
Translated by Alexander Dubovoi