DISADVANTAGE/RUSSIA

ANSWERS: RUSSIA WILL NOT MISBEHAVE, BUT WE BE A GOOD GLOBAL CITIZEN

ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON RUSSIA WILL MAKE THEM BEHAVE

Haroon Siddiqui The Toronto Star November 18, 1999, HEADLINE: HIT RUSSIA WHERE IT HURTS: IMF LOANS // ln-acs 12/18/99

But the West need not be held hostage. The Russian economy is held up by IMF loans, or at least what's left after Boris Yeltsin's family and friends have first helped themselves. The next instalment of $4.5 billion is due soon. Holding it back until Russian troops are completely withdrawn from Chechnya, and all refugees are safely returned to their repaired homes, would get Yeltsin and his high-flying boys back to Earth.

RUSSIA IS NOW THE MODEL NATION FOR FOREIGN POLICY IN THE POST COLD WAR WORLD

George Szamuely April 8, 2001 The Observer SECTION: Observer News Pages, Pg. 25 HEADLINE: Comment: Russia: land of the free: //VT2002acsln

Russia, understandably feeling threatened and besieged, is today the champion of all nations seeking to chart their own course. The Russians repeatedly protest the daily Anglo-American bombing of Iraq, actions that have never been authorised by a UN resolution. While US policymakers discuss how best to overthrow Saddam Hussein - never for a moment doubting their right to make such decisions - the Russians insist on adhering to the UN resolutions, which refer exclusively to the elimination of weapons of mass destruction.

RUSSIA IS THE MODEL DIPLOMATIC NATION NOW, NOT THE USA

George Szamuely April 8, 2001 The Observer SECTION: Observer News Pages, Pg. 25 HEADLINE: Comment: Russia: land of the free: //VT2002acsln

AS WE ENTER upon a new Cold War, the time has come for all those who value freedom to change sides. Today the aggressive, imperial power bent on imposing its hegemony on the world is the United States. And the power upholding the sanctity of international law is Russia.

The Russians now embody the hope of all nations that, no matter how small, they can survive as independent sovereign states.

RUSSIA WILL BE DETERRED BY CREDIBLE THREATS

William Safire, The Denver Post December 10, 1999; Pg. B-11 HEADLINE: Russia's latest 'Great Game' // ln-acs 12/18/99

Russia has a way of responding to credible threats. What happened when John McCain and George W. Bush made plain they would withdraw from the ABM treaty if the Russians refused necessary modifications to allow limited missile defense? Russia's Duma, after four years, decided to take up ratification of Start II.