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The Globe and Mail (Canada)
December 10, 2001
Canada crowing over NATO pact
Ottawa claims credit for co-operation deal between Russia and former Cold War
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By GEOFFREY YORK
MOSCOW -- Canada is claiming credit for the idea that triggered a breakthrough in relations between NATO and Russia last week, predicting it will help restore Russia to its prerevolution status as a full partner in Europe.
The agreement between Moscow and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is the latest step in an unprecedented rapprochement between Russia and the West. And federal officials are boasting that Canada is at the forefront of the historic shift.
Two years ago, relations had plunged to rock-bottom levels. Canada led a chorus of international protests against Russia's brutal assault on Chechen separatists in Grozny in 1999. But since then, Ottawa has eagerly seized on every possible sign that President Vladimir Putin is a moderate who is seeking a new deal with the West.
The rapprochement has escalated dramatically since Russia decided to join the Western counterterrorism campaign after Sept. 11. At a NATO meeting in Brussels on Nov. 7, a Canadian diplomat became the first to propose that Russia should become a full participant in NATO decisions on some issues.
The idea was quickly promoted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other leaders, soon producing the NATO-Russia agreement of last week, which would set up a new council to allow joint decision-making.
"The Brits stole our idea," a senior Canadian official later complained in half-joking fashion.
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov has heaped praise on Canada for suggesting the new NATO joint council. When he discovered Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley at an international meeting in Romania last week, Mr. Ivanov interrupted the meeting to hug Mr. Manley and express his fondness for the Canadian minister.
"It was a real show of affection," a Canadian official said. "There's a special rapport between the two of them."
The West made an earlier attempt to set up a joint council with Russia in 1997, but it now admits the move was ineffective. Mr. Manley said the military alliance had been presenting its decisions to Russia as "a fait accompli." Another Canadian official referred to the earlier council as "an empty shell."
But under the new scheme, Russia will be included in the alliance's consensus-building process, Mr. Manley said.
"When NATO was created, the enemy was Russia," he said in a telephone interview from Brussels. "Now we're talking about NATO and Russia sitting down as equals at a table to talk about issues of common concern, sharing intelligence and taking joint action. This is the next step toward Russia sitting where it was before 1917, as a true European nation."
In sharp contrast to the nasty mood of two years ago, Canadian diplomats say they are now unable to think of a single major disagreement in their relationship with Russia.
"We've had a period of very steadily growing relations," said a senior Canadian official in Moscow. "We're very much sharing similar views on major international political issues. We've consulted very closely over the past year. We've co-operated more than ever before in our security relationships and on counterterrorism."
At least 10 Canadian cabinet ministers have visited Russia over the past 18 months, and six Russian ministers have visited Canada in the same period. The two leaders, Mr. Putin and Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, have exchanged visits. And Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov arrived in Ottawa last night for meetings with Mr. Chrétien and other Canadian leaders today, followed by meetings tomorrow with business leaders in Montreal.
Some Western critics, including Czech President Vaclav Havel, have opposed the idea of co-operation between Russia and NATO. Some suggested that Russia's unexpected decision last month to send 200 armed troops to Afghanistan would damage the level of NATO's trust in Russia.
But the Canadians have leaped to Russia's defence.
"I don't think we should see that as a military invasion of any sort," Mr. Manley said.
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