#10
strana.ru
November 5, 2001
Former U.S. Ambassador Sees Need for Stronger Economic
Ties with Russia
Exclusive Interview with former U.S. Ambassador to Russia James Collins
By Michael Hewitt
Q: Promoting U.S.-Russian business relations was a priority of yours while you were ambassador. How has the situation improved over the last several years?
A: Well I didn't get nearly as far as I had hoped would be possible but I think substantial groundwork was laid during my last two years. I do believe there are significant changes occurring [in Russia].
I and the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia and most representatives of American firms in Moscow saw that opportunities were developing and that Russia was becoming an important place to investigate for companies looking to build their business internationally. Of course each company has to make its own decision about timing and whether or not Russia is the place.
What I think is encouraging today at the [Russian Investment] conference is that it does seem now that people are taking another look at Russia. And that is very important because when they do it with the idea of seeking opportunity, they will find that there are a lot of opportunities there.
Q: What measures could the U.S. government adopt that would encourage American companies to invest more in Russia?
A: I think it has to be a government-private sector partnership at this stage. The government can help to share the risk through instruments such as OPIC, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Export-Import Bank and the Trade and Development Agency. These agencies need to stand ready to participate or support projects and investments that are identified by responsible private sector investors.
Secondly it is important that our government, our president, and his cabinet make it clear that investing in Russia and building a stronger economic relationship with Russia is very important to the United States' interests.
And thirdly, [the US government] has to ensure those companies who invest that if there is a problem, they will be there.
Q: How would improvements in Russia's economy effect U.S. strategic relations with Russia?
A: I don't think there is any doubt that [the U.S.] needs to expand its strategic interests broadly. [The US] has an incomplete relationship with Russia and most of Eurasia. It is still fundamentally dominated by security issues. And without greater balance in the relationship with economic dimensions and the human dimension that is working in a normal and open way, we will always have a fragile relationship and one that is distorted by security issues.
Q: Since September 11, greater U.S. attention has been focused on Russia with the result that more people are aware of the improvements in Russia's economy. Do you think this will lead to a greater emphasis on economic issues during the upcoming summit between Mr. Putin and Mr. Bush in Crawford, Texas?
A: I think that Mr. Putin is going to have a very successful visit. The atmosphere and environment in which we are now discussing a lot of the major issues is one of looking at shared problems in order to find solutions. And that is a very constructive way to go about building a more stable relationship that has elements of trust and confidence.
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