LETTER FROM RUSSIAN ENTREPRENEUR

LETTERS FROM RUSSIA

from Andrey Davidovich

Kolomna, Russia 

I can not insist that my position is shared by the entire population of the Russian Federation, but I am sure my opinion is  that of the majority of economically active Russian citizens taking interest in today's foreign policy.

For most Russians the victory of Barack Obama at the U.S. presidential elections was quite desirable. Although, frankly speaking, at the beginning of the pre-race, I predicted Obama's loss because of the color of his skin. I thought that racist attitudes are still too strong in the United States, but, fortunately, Americans were wiser and more democratic than I expected. Like Americans, we hoped that Obama's victory would bring some update, if you want, the reincarnation of America, which in recent decades has been viewed by the world community not as a bastion of democracy, but rather as "the world's policeman" guarding the interests of "golden billion."

The victory of Obama and his public statements about the "reset" of Russian-American relations were perceived by Russians very positively. For quite a short period of time this allowed to substantially improve the U.S. image in Russia. Obama gently acknowledged that the Bush administration has made many unforgivable mistakes in relations with Russia: the uncontrolled and unmotivated NATO expansion to the East, the deployment of ABM systems at Russia's borders, massive financial and political support for anti-Russia political movements in the CIS ("orange", "rose", "tulip" and other "color" revolutions), the obstacles in implementation of Russian energy projects in Europe, and so on and on.

I have an impression that for the 5 months that have elapsed since the inauguration of the new US President, Russia and America have not considerably progressed in the "reboot.". I think just a constructive stand of the new U.S. administration on the Russian-European cooperation in the energy sector was the only positive moment. Due to this the Russian business community was very positive as regards well-publicized report of the Washington Foundation for Energy Studies on energy cooperation with Russia. But, unfortunately, Obama's administration has not taken any really important steps towards the convergence of foreign policy positions of Russia and the U.S.A. yet.

It seems either the President and the U.S. Department of State have no clear understanding of the "reboot" or the American establishment has a strong resistance to it, thus slowing down the actual events...

But it should also be noted that Russia, in my opinion, does not make any significant efforts to "reboot" either. I believe a severe reaction of our administration to the series of nuclear tests in North Korea and the escalation of tension in the zone of the Korean peninsula are the only significant positive steps of Russia towards rapprochement of Russia-U.S. positions. Perhaps Russian leaders have been slow to liven up the events because they wait for initiatives from abroad. It seems Moscow is waiting for clear and stable signals from Washington on the recognition of Russia's priorities for actions in the post-Soviet space, for instance in the form of rough rejection of Ukraine and Georgia inclusion into NATO. Let's call a spade a spade: this is our former common "house", therefore the U.S. must concede Russia the right to look into conflict with its former "family".

I was very encouraged to read the Executive Summary of the Report from the Commission on U.S. Policy toward Russia. I endorse the findings of the commission entirely. In addition to the findings and recommendations of the Commission I would like to add the following:

1. I believe the United States should take a more constructive position as regards protecting the rights of the Russian-speaking population in the former Soviet Union republics, namely in Latvia, Estonia and Ukraine. I was quite surprised by double standards that are implemented in EU on former U.S. administration's advice. On one hand, the EU stands up for protecting the rights of the Roma, but on the other hand, does not notice the problems of hundreds of thousands of Russian-speaking Latvian "non-citizens", closure of Russian schools, etc.

2. In this regard it is not out of place to recall that Latvia and Estonia (the members of the EU) publicly glorify local Nazis who fought on the side of Wehrmacht during World War II, erase any good memory of Soviet soldiers liberated the Baltic States. In these countries they are trying to equate the Soviet and fascist forces at the highest political level. Europe shamefacedly removes its eyes pretending not to notice anything... United States as the country that won should no more than once and for all stop the emerging process of reviewing the outcome of the World War II. Whichever language fascists speak, fascism is fascism...

3. I think the U.S.A. must stop sponsoring black PR projects in the former Soviet Union countries (famine-genocide, supposed occupation of Georgia by Russian forces in the 18th century, the denial of legitimacy of Georgievsk agreement with Georgia, etc.). Intelligent people worldwide are well aware of the one who is at the back of new-fangled historical findings in Georgia and Ukraine. For example, it is an open secret that the concept of "historical truth about famine-genocide", as well as the concept of a national and international PR-campaign on this subject have been developed by political strategists close to the White House. It looks quite 

incorrect from all points of view.

4. Facing with the manifestations of American mass culture, I constantly catch myself thinking that the Russian history and culture, Russian leaders, common citizens are often portrayed in American books, films and music as "supporting history", as "second class quality." Eighty percent of Russians in American films are drunk, violent and blunt representatives of the Russian mafia. I understand that this is a result of decades of political confrontation and carefully thought-out information campaigns. And I painfully aware that a considerable part of U.S. citizens do not know on what side the Soviet Union fought during World War II... I think the new American administration should ensure that the perception of the word "Russian" in the U.S.A. is appropriate for the reality. It is necessary to ensure that ordinary Americans know not only the bad side of the Soviet and Russian history. How to do that? I do not know, this is a very complicated issue, but this problem must be addressed even if it will take quite a long time.

5. In my turn, I would wish the administration of Putin and Medvedev real, not declarative, anti-corruption efforts within the country and more flexible position as regards mass media and opposition political movements.

6. In addition, Russia, in my opinion, should take a tougher stance on Iran's nuclear program, as its uncontrolled development will inevitably result in nuclear conflict in the Middle East. Besides, Russia should take a more constructive position on Missile Defense, perhaps even to consider the prospects of participation of our country in this project (of course, on conditions that there is not missile defense near the Russian borders).

I think that both Russia and the United States need to renounce all forms of public competition, especially in the former Soviet Union territory, as it is perceived by young democracies as a signal of possible speculation on "where the pendulum will swing". In the upshot it results in polarization of political interests of elites in the former Soviet Union countries, in political crisis (in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan), in attempts to gain political and economic dividends from the United States and Russia.

Russia and the United States must undoubtedly combine their efforts in the face of  threats and challenges of the new century: nuclear terrorism, global natural disasters, pandemics, the spread of aggressive orthodox religious movements, meteor threat from space, uncontrolled demographic trends (rapid population growth, labor migration and flows of economic refugees) and many more.

I am confident that together, Russia and the United States can become engines of the world history.

I am ready to assist the convergence of our countries with all means available to me. Thank you once again for the constructive and active position in the normalization of US-Russian relations.

Sincerely Yours,

Andrey Davidovich

Andrei Davidovich is  the CEO of the Market Agency, Kolomna, Russia, and alumni of CCI Productivity Enhancement Program 

Comments

[Rick Curtis]

It is this continued perception that somehow the baltics were liberated by the soviets that is the root of the problem. Liberation does not come in the form of murder and terror. The attempt at the Russification of the former soviet satellites has obviously left a bitter taste. The remaining Russians should either return home or integrate with their host countries. Why should the Baltics fund Russian schools? They finally regain freedom and Russians expect them to honour their oppressors. The very thought is ridiculous.

[Andrey Davidovich]

I will try to comment the author’s statements successively:

"It is this continued perception that somehow the baltics were liberated by the soviets that is the root of the problem. Liberation does not come in the form of murder and terror."
"… They finally regain freedom and Russians expect them to honour their oppressors. The very thought is ridiculous".

It is a mistake to confuse two different things: the liberation of Baltics from fascists by Soviet soldiers and Stalin repressions fulfilled by the Soviet leadership of Baltic republics (by the way, 100% consisting of natives) in the former USSR. The root of the problem is that today the history facts are treated according to the political situation and political orientation of the elites of Estonia and Latvia (fortunately, not Lithuania). What drives these politicians? Pathological hatred towards Russia, Nazi past or commercial interest – but what if they manage to get financial compensation for the “occupation” from Russia? Let it remain on their conscience.

"The attempt at the Russification of the former soviet satellites has obviously left a bitter taste."

The problem of Russification of the Baltic States (and now Ukraine is also in their dissonant chorus) is too exaggerated by the above-mentioned reason. I was in Latvia in the late 80-s and I did not notice any barriers to communication and information exchange in the Latvian language - locals freely spoke this language, boards, signs, labels were in two languages (Latvian and Russian), everybody could buy newspapers in Latvian, etc. For comparison: why in such countries as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan (they are also the former Soviet satellites) no one talks about violently "bitter" Russification? Furthermore, tell me, please, in which multinational country either in the past or present planting of the state language was smooth and left a sweet taste? In the British Empire or in the French Republic? Or, perhaps, in the United States, where the children of indigenous peoples of the North America (Eskimos, Indians, Aleuts) are taught in English at school?

"The remaining Russians should either return home or integrate with their host countries. Why should the Baltics fund Russian schools?"

As far as the closure of Russian schools is concerned, the issue is not in the funding (Russia have some proposals on this point) but in discrimination of the Russian-speaking population. Everything develops in such a way that graduates from Russian schools are not able to compete with the representatives of titular peoples as equals to enroll in higher and secondary public institutions and on job markets, even in spite of the fact that the vast majority of them has integrated and speaks the host country language quite well. It is evident that Estonia and Latvia started eliminating the Russian language with much more zeal than Soviets "extirpated" Latvian and Estonian. As for the return of ethnic Russians from the Baltic States to Russia, we would be happy to have them here! Unfortunately, Russia has been depopulated that results in reduction of employable population.

And finally, to my greatest regret, it should be noted that the opinion on Russia of many foreigners, especially who don’t know our history, is formed by Western mass media. Therefore, people expressing their point of view, especially when publicly, should rely on objective (non-interpreted by someone) historical realities so that not to be at the least ridiculous.

Sincerely Yours,
Andrey Davidovich