Putin's quest for a global niche

"The American way is to isolate these countries, slap sanctions on them and sometimes attack them militarily," says Alexander Konovalov, an expert with the semiofficial Institute of Canada-USA Studies in Moscow. "Putin is saying that good diplomacy is a better remedy, and for that the West needs Russia."

Since Putin took over the Kremlin reins, Russia has opened fresh diplomatic channels with all but one of Washington's "states of concern." In May, he met with Yugoslavia's foreign minister in the Kremlin and invited Yugoslav defense minister Dragoljub Ojdanic - an indicted war criminal - to a Red Square military parade. Iraqi deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz came calling in July. Next to arrive was Libya's foreign minister, who came away with a pledge from the Kremlin leader to visit Tripoli.

Russian deputy foreign minister Viktor Kalyuzhny traveled to Iran in July. The two countries are said to be discussing a joint strategy for exploiting the Caspian oil basin. "There is no coincidence about all this activity," says Mr. Fituni. "Russia is engaged in a major diplomatic offensive."

Only the Taliban regime in Afghanistan remains an unregenerate "rogue" for both Moscow and Washington. The Kremlin accuses the Taliban of backing rebels in Chechnya.

Courting rogues is just one component of Putin's independent-minded foreign policy, however. His weekend visit to Japan failed to resolve a territorial dispute, but both sides pledged to cooperate on issues such as North Korea, nuclear nonproliferation, and terrorism. A senior Chinese delegation is due in Moscow Sept. 11. Last month, Putin visited Beijing, and with Chinese leader Jiang Zemin signed a declaration on "strategic partnership." He will conclude a similar deal with India during a trip there in October, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Analysts say Putin's North Korea visit illustrated the potentials and pitfalls of his foreign-policy goals. From Pyongyang, Putin flew to the Group of Eight summit in Okinawa, where he proudly declared the North Korean leader had pledged to suspend his country's missile program in exchange for the use of foreign satellite facilities. He was publicly embarrassed when Mr. Kim then claimed the remarks were made in a "laughing manner," and were not meant to be taken seriously.

Still, analysts say Putin can be expected to continue playing the "rogue" card to blunt US policies he views as counter to Russian interests. "Some Americans are afraid that we are aiming to become the chief of a gang of bandit states," says Sergei Kozyonnov, a specialist at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, which trains Russian diplomats. "On the contrary, we want to become a pillar of international security. But not on Washington's terms.... Russia, with its unique attributes, must have a key role in the system."

(c) Copyright 2000. The Christian Science Publishing Society

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