DISADVANTAGE/LEADERSHIP BAD

USA LEADERSHIP ALLOWS RUSSIA TO BE ADVENTUROUS USING COPY CAT HEGEMONY

COPY CAT HEGEMONY: RUSSIAN ACTION IN CHECHNYA IS JUSTIFIED BY USA ACTIONS IN KOSOVO

Constantine Pleshakov, a former member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Japan Times November 20, 1999, HEADLINE: Russia, lord of the Caucasus // ln-acs 12/18/99

It would be too far-fetched to suggest Russians are as determined to control Chechnya as Serbs are to control Kosovo, but certainly the desire to punish the Chechens in the most brutal way for their acts of terrorism - both alleged and real - is widespread. The government's popularity is soaring, and the anti-Western feelings originally inspired by NATO's bombings of Yugoslavia, are being reinforced.

In fact, it is most unfortunate that the current Russian military campaign in Chechnya was preceded by NATO's operation in Yugoslavia. That war also resulted in numerous civilian casualties, was only dubiously justifiable in terms of international law and was waged on the territory of a foreign country. It is doubtful whether the current lull in the Balkans will last, but in any case, for now, the war against Yugoslavia is still regarded by many Western leaders as triumph of good over evil - despite the fact that the evil had to be crushed brutally, killing quite a few innocents. For Russians, this is precisely sufficient justification for their army's brutality in Chechnya.

COPY CAT HEGEMONY: RUSSIANS USE KOSOVO-YUGOSLAVIA ACTION TO JUSTIFY ATROCITIES IN CHECHNYA

Constantine Pleshakov, a former member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Japan Times November 20, 1999, HEADLINE: Russia, lord of the Caucasus // ln-acs 12/18/99

From Russia's perspective, it has even more reason for mercilessness: After all, Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic never sent his commandos to commit sabotage and murder in the United States, whereas the Chechens did strike Russia. Even if Basaev has not been involved in the recent terrorist acts in Moscow, he had openly intruded into Russia several times in the past, taking hostages, killing Russian soldiers and even attempting to annex territory. No matter what Milosevic did or did not do, Yugoslavia is a sovereign nation. So far, no one has openly doubted that Chechnya is still part of Russia, even if only nominally.

COPY CAT HEGEMONY: CONDEMING RUSSIAN ACTION IN CHECHNYA ANGERS RUSSIAN PEOPLE, WHO SEE A DOUBLE STANDARD

Constantine Pleshakov, a former member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Japan Times November 20, 1999, HEADLINE: Russia, lord of the Caucasus // ln-acs 12/18/99

Unquestionably, the Russian military is doing many terrible things in the current war in Chechnya. It would be strange if the Western media did not react to that. But if Western leaders make Chechnya an international issue, subject to official moralizing - as happened in Istanbul this week - many people in Russia are going to be outraged by what they see as a clear instance of double standards.