[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 17 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  FOREIGN POLICY GOALS OF RUSSIA TODAY

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 24, 1994

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, on January 25, 1994, I asked Ambassador 
Strobe Talbott a series of questions about Russian foreign policy, and 
how Russian foreign policy differs from that of the former Soviet 
Union.
  On February 18, 1994, I received a response from the Department of 
State. The text of that response follows:

  Question for the Record Submitted to Strobe Talbott by Congressman 
                                Hamilton

       Foreign Policy Goals of Russia Today. What are the major 
     foreign policy goals of Russia today. How do those foreign 
     policy goals differ from those of the USSR? What is Russia's 
     policy towards Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia, NATO, 
     and PFP?
       Answer: The overall goal of Russian foreign policy has been 
     to create an international environment propitious to the 
     continued pursuit of internal reform and to the advancement 
     of Russian security, political, and economic interests.
       This has led to a Russian policy of partnership and 
     cooperation toward the United States and Western Europe. 
     Given its urgent domestic problems, Moscow neither wants nor 
     needs a competitive relationship with the West. Russia's 
     long-term goal is integration into the democratic community 
     of market-oriented countries--which will yield Russia 
     important political and economic benefits.
       The Russians view Partnership for Peace (PFP) as an 
     important element of an emerging new European security 
     architecture. Russia has expressed the intention to 
     participate actively in PFP. The form of Russian 
     participation is currently under discussion.
       In connection with PFP, Russia has expressed an intention 
     to conclude substantive agreements opening the way for broad 
     and intensive cooperation between Russia and NATO. President 
     Yeltsin has stated that he could envision Russia eventually 
     entering NATO in a ``package'' with other applicants. We 
     believe NATO membership for each individual country ought to 
     be considered on its own merits.
       Official Russian spokesmen have stated that the countries 
     immediately bordering Russia represent a region of vital 
     security interest for Russia and that stability in this 
     region is a primary goal of Russian foreign policy.
       Russian policy toward Eastern Europe and the Baltics 
     recognizes the sovereignty and independence of these 
     countries. As part of this policy, Russia is in the process 
     of removing its troops from Central and Eastern Europe.
       Russian policy toward Asia has been to promote peaceful and 
     stable relations with its eastern neighbors and, to the 
     extent possible, participate in the burgeoning economic 
     dynamism of that region. The key unresolved territorial issue 
     involves Japan and the Northern Territories.
       The goals and objectives of Soviet foreign policy were much 
     different and fundamentally hostile to U.S. interests. 
     Viewing international relations as a zero-sum game with the 
     United States as their chief rival and adversary, the Soviets 
     undertook a global policy of expanding their influence 
     wherever possible.
       Soviet leaders' first priority was to maintain totalitarian 
     control in the Soviet Union.
       They sought to dominate Eastern Europe through communist 
     satellite regimes and the presence of Russian troops.
       The Soviet Union sought to diminish U.S. presence and 
     influence in Western Europe.
       It also sought to undermine U.S. influence in other regions 
     of the world, including the Middle East and Asia. Russian 
     relations with China were marked by great suspicion, 
     competition, and, at times, armed conflict.

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