www.usembassy.ru
Ambassador Burns' Interview with Gazeta.ru
William J. Burns, U.S. Ambassador to Russia
Gazeta.ru, November 22, 2005
MODERATOR: In total, there are 300 questions. But we have selected much fewer, about 15. Almost exactly, there were some 280 by the mid-day. The first question is introductory, related to congratulations on your appointment. The question is: do you like it in Russia and what do you like and dislike about it?
AMBASSADOR: First, I would to like to thank you very much for the opportunity. I am delighted to be back in Russia, where I lived and worked 10 years ago. It's a fascinating country. There have been many changes over the last ten years. Certainly, the economic situation in Moscow and other parts of the country that I have visited has improved. It's true that many challenges remain. For example, there are challenges with regard to health care, with regard to housing, with regard to education that the Russian Government has identified as national priorities. But in general I am very impressed by the changes I have seen and I look forward very much to working here as Ambassador. Thank you for your question.
MODERATOR: Esteemed Mr. Ambassador, we will ask the next question. You were appointed to Moscow with considerable working experience in the Middle East. Should one attempt to explain this, he could do so in three ways. One is, Russia is closer to eastern countries because of its intrigues, political culture, oil, etc. The second explanation is that by working in Russia it is also possible to work on resolving Middle East issues, because Russia also actively participates in resolving them. The third way is to give no explanation at all, just say that the appointment took place for other reasons. Which of the three explanations is the most plausible?
AMBASSADOR: During my diplomatic work I have really had two specialties. As you have said, I worked extensively on Middle East issues. But I have also had the pleasure of working in Russia before and I studied the Russian language and history for some years before that. Certainly, the Middle East is one of the most important issues in our relationship with Russia. There are many opportunities for us to work together on the Arab-Israeli peace process, as well as on Iran. But as I said, we have a very rich agenda of issues, on which the United States and Russia can work together, and the Middle East is only one of them. So, rather than speculating any further on why I was chosen for this job, I'll just say again that I am very lucky to be here and very lucky to have the chance to work on a relationship that is still very important to the United States.
MODERATOR: We'll go back to foreign policy. Eighty percent of our questions, you have read them, are on visa issues. I understand that you are unlikely to be able to answer concrete questions, but we will ask you some general ones. For example, most frequently questions are on the so-called Green Card Lottery. Russians are asking when they once again will be able to participate in the lottery, and what problems are related to this.
AMBASSADOR: I am not surprised by the number of questions on visa issues. It's a very important issue for the Embassy and a very important issue on the minds of Russians. And my colleagues at the Consular Section of the Embassy work very hard to try and provide the best service and to be as clear as we can about explaining American law and visa policies. On the issue of the Green Card Lottery, Russians were eligible to take part in the lottery for most of the last ten years. The way the Green Lottery program is set up is to address the needs of countries where the levels of immigration to the United States are relatively low, and that was true for Russia for most of the last ten years. But in recent years the level of Russian emigration to the United States has increased to the point that Russia is no longer eligible for the Green Card Lottery program. This is a rule, as I said before, that does not apply just to Russia, it applies to any country in the world. And if the level of emigration by Russians to the United States should decrease in the future, Russia could again become eligible for the Green Card Lottery program.
MODERATOR: Next question. There were also a number of them, they are similar and I will ask you one as an example. Why, a reader is asking, such people as Yaponchik (Ivan'kov) come to the U.S. and live there, and then because such people live in the U.S. and even commit crimes, other people who are law-abiding are refused visas? In other words, the reader draws attention to some inconsistency...
AMBASSADOR: It's hard to explain individual visa decisions. In general, the number of non-immigrant visas issued by the Embassy in Moscow has increased over the last year. The Embassy issued 80 thousand non-immigrant visas last year, which was 20 percent more than the year before. In the last year, we issued 45 percent more student visas than the year before. The percentage of non-immigrant visa applications, which cannot be approved, which are refused, has also decreased in the last year. It has fallen from 16 percent the year before to 12 percent last year. We want to encourage more travel to the United States and more study in the United States by Russians, and we want to make the process as clear and as efficient as possible.
MODERATOR: The last question in the visa group, it also frequently asked. The readers often asked about rudeness in the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy.
AMBASSADOR: I have made several visits to our Consular Section and spent time with our consular officers. What I saw was my American colleagues, as well as my Russian colleagues working in the Consular Section, behaving in a very professional and courteous way. It's very important for us to continue to uphold that standard and to treat people with the respect and dignity that they deserve.
MODERATOR: Now, if you don't mind, let us move on to foreign policy questions. There were many questions on Iraq. For example: Mr. Ambassador, how can you see a way out of the crisis situation in Iraq, and what needs to be done for this?
AMBASSADOR: I think the most important...
MODERATOR: And there was an additional question: what does Mr. Ambassador think about the recent scandal on the use of white phosphorus?
AMBASSADOR: First, the main objective of the Iraqi Government, the Iraqi people and everyone who is trying to support them, is a political process that has already produced a Constitution and then through elections in several weeks' time will produce a new government elected on the basis of that Constitution. It's very important that that political process be inclusive and that it be open to all the different communities in Iraq. Alongside the political process, it's very important to continue to make progress in economic re-construction, so that people have a sense of economic hope. It is crucially important that progress continue to be made to help the Iraqis build their own security forces, because the faster the Iraqis can take responsibility for their own security, the sooner the Coalition forces can withdraw. I do not underestimate the difficulties that still remain in Iraq, but I believe progress is slowly being made. On the question of phosphorous, we have made clear publicly that we have not undertaken any actions, which would violate international law, and we have not undertaken any actions against civilians.
MODERATOR: Next question. We should also ask about Iran, [readers] also asked a lot about it. The question is: Mr. Ambassador, in your view, how does the Iran issue affect U.S.-Russia relations?
AMBASSADOR: It's a very good question and a very important question. I think the United States and Russia share a common strategic goal to ensure that ran does not develop a nuclear weapons program. We also both seek to achieve that goal through diplomatic means and a diplomatic solution. We have intensified our diplomatic cooperation over the last few months, and the United States and Russia are also working more closely with Britain, France and Germany. Russia has contributed some very constructive ideas to the process, such as a provision in the Bushehr agreement with Iran to take back the fuel that's provided to Iran after it's used, as well as the most recent proposal to establish a joint Russian-Iranian venture to provide fuel to Iran.
MODERATOR: The next set of questions, there were very many of those. The readers are interested in opinion with the regard to the abolition of Jackson-Vanik amendment. A few days ago it was abolished, at least on a preliminary stage, in relation to Ukraine.
AMBASSADOR: I know the Jackson-Vanik issue is a very frustrating one to many Russians. It was a frustrating issue for Russians ten years ago when I worked in Moscow. And it is not easy to explain why it has not yet been lifted. American Presidents have certified every year since 1994 that Russia is in full compliance with the emigration provisions of Jackson-Vanik, and every year the United States has waived the application of Jackson-Vanik to our trade relationship with Russia. The position of the American Administration for some years has been that Jackson-Vanik should be lifted, but there have been concerns raised in Congress. I hope that it will soon be possible to attempt to lift Jackson-Vanik again, and, certainly, Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, which we strongly support, would help accelerate this process. The recent steps in the American Congress with regard to lifting Jackson-Vanik on Ukraine are a reflection of our Congress' interest in supporting positive change, in supporting Ukraine's evolution to become a stable and prosperous country. And I hope very much that we will be able to move in this direction with regard to Jackson-Vanik on Russia soon.
MODERATOR: With your permission we will move on to domestic politics. The most burning issue -- the election in the Chechen Republic will take place in a week -- the question is: Mr. Ambassador, what is the U.S. position on the Chechnya issue, does the U.S. Government support the pro-Russia Government of the Chechen Republic, and, in general, what is the U.S. position regarding the elections next week?
AMBASSADOR: We hope very much that the elections that will take place in Chechnya later this month will expand political participation in Chechnya and will contribute to stabilizing the situation.
MODERATOR: Then, next question, if you don't mind. It is also very simple: do you think there is freedom of speech in Russia?
AMBASSADOR: Certainly, there is greater freedom of expression in Russia today than there was when I first dealt with Russian issues 15-20 years ago. The development of political institutions, including a free media, is a along and complicated process, and the role of independent media is certainly critically important in dealing with problems like corruption, because it's only through a genuinely independent media that people can be held accountable. That's why it's natural that from time to time Russians raise concerns about limitations on free expression, especially on the electronic media. And that's why friends of Russia, like the United States and others, have raised concerns from time to time also. It's in America's interest to see a strong Russia continue to emerge, and, in our opinion, a strong Russia will depend on modern economic and political institutions. And an independent media is one of the most important of those institutions.
MODERATOR: You may know, the Duma tomorrow will consider amendments to the law on non-governmental organizations, which somehow complicate their establishment. Prior to that, there was a long story of persecution of some NGO's. The question from a reader is: would the United States put pressure on Russia to counteract a ban on NGO's or their persecution?
AMBASSADOR: First, it is perfectly reasonable for any government to seek to establish clear standards and clear regulations that would apply to non-governmental or non-commercial organizations. The United States has its own set of such standards. For example, American law prohibits foreign financing of candidates in American elections. Other G-8 countries have similar standards. But it seems to me that the purpose of these standards should be to make the work of non-governmental organizations more transparent and more efficient, not to complicate it. A number of Russian observers, including members of the new Public Chamber have emphasized the importance of looking very carefully and very thoroughly at the law to ensure that it serves Russia's own self-interest in active and productive non-commercial organizations. And these organizations, some of which receive funding from foreign sources, play an important role in a wide range of activities, not only in encouraging the development of political institutions, but also in education, health care and in many other areas.
MODERATOR: Mr. Ambassador, how much time do we have left?
AMBASSADOR: Maybe five more minutes.
MODERATOR: The next question, there several of those as well, this is also a tangible issue, Mr. Ambassador, what do you think about the upsurge of nationalist extremism and nationalism in Russia. Particularly, the so-called march of the right on November 4 in Moscow, attacks on foreign students, etc.?
AMBASSADOR: Certainly, a number of thoughtful Russian observers have expressed concerns about these signs of extremism and racism. These are very disturbing trends. The United States has had its own difficult experiences in dealing with extremism and racism. We still have not entirely succeeded in defeating these problems. Like the United States, Russia is a very diverse society, and both the United States and Russia draw strength from their diversity. And that is why it's important for both of us to fight against intolerance and racism and extremism.
MODERATOR: Thank you. Well, since out time is up, I will ask the last question, and I will read it without changing the reader's original style. Mr. Ambassador, please tell how you evaluate the present relationship between our two countries. Have we indeed become friends or is only a show as many Russians think? Thank you.
AMBASSADOR: I believe we are real friends. I know we have differences sometimes, and that's natural. But I am optimistic about the future of Russia, about the future of our relationship. When I say that I'm an optimist, many of my friends in Russia remind me that the definition of an optimist in Russia is someone who thinks that tomorrow will be better than the day after. I mean something a little different when I say I am an optimist. I think Russia has come a very long way since I last lived and worked here ten years ago. I know many challenges remain and I know tomorrow will be complicated, but I really do believe that the day after will be better for Russia and for the U.S.-Russian relationship. Thank you for your question.
MODERATOR: Thank you very much, Mr. Ambassador.