[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 121 (Monday, September 14, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H7676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CURRENT CHAOS AND CRISIS IN RUSSIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, early this morning I announced that, between 
now and the end of this legislative session, I shall take some time at 
the end of each legislative day's business to discuss the foreign 
policy issue. I am one of those who is overdosed on topic number one, 
which seems to mesmerize the media and some of the public.
  I am of the opinion that the rest of the world has not come to a 
stop, that things are going on in Russia and Indonesia and the Balkans 
and in Brazil. We as elected Representatives have to deal with these 
issues.
  Today I would like to begin a dialogue on Russia, the current chaos 
and crisis in Russia. I am inviting all of my colleagues across the 
political spectrum to join me in this dialogue. I wish we had spent 10 
percent as much on the ramifications of the Russian crisis for American 
security in the years ahead as we spent on topic number one during the 
course of this past weekend.
  Russia, Mr. Speaker, is in deep trouble. Gone are the great hopes of 
the early 1990s when the collapse of the Soviet Union gave all of us 
the dream that we will be able to cooperate with a democratic, 
increasingly prosperous Russia becoming a part of the family of nations 
and the partner and ally of the United States.
  There is a great deal of blame that goes around. My purpose here is 
not to find fault with leaders here and abroad who make mistakes. My 
purpose is to deal with the Russia as we find her in mid September 1998 
and ask some policy questions as to how we might be able to assist them 
to turn around the very dangerous course on which they have embarked.
  Let me begin with the new Prime Minister of Russia, Mr. Primakov. 
From our point of view, no worse choice could have been possible. 
Primakov served loyally every Communist leader from Brezhnev on. He was 
head of the Russian International Spy Service. He is a close personal 
friend of Saddam Hussein and a close personal friend of Slobodan 
Milosevic who on this very floor a few minutes ago we declared a war 
criminal.
  He is strongly anti-American. His appeal to the Russian Duma to a 
very large extent stems from his anti-American policies which he has 
pursued faithfully and with perseverance since becoming Foreign 
Minister of Russia. So I do not have very high hopes for Mr. Primakov.
  But let me say, compared to the chaos, compared to the confusion, 
compared to the disintegration in Russia that we have seen in recent 
weeks, he may be the best momentary alternative. The Duma has voted him 
in. He is likely to enjoy the support of the Duma for some time to 
come.
  The question for us to ask is how can we work with Primakov and this 
new Russian government in the very difficult days and weeks that lie 
ahead.
  Let me say first a word about the economic crisis. Every week, 
millions of additional Russians are falling below the poverty level of 
Russia. The Russian poverty level is a very low level. Just in the 
first week of September, Mr. Speaker, prices in Russia increased by 36 
percent. Russia has defaulted on its foreign debt obligations.
  The hope that Russia can be transformed into a democratic market 
economy in the short run is gone. It is self-evident that, under this 
new government, there will be retrograde policies introduced. The 
printing presses will begin. Wages will be paid to people who have not 
been paid for months and months, but the following inflation will bring 
about further social dislocation and deterioration.
  The regions of Russia are beginning to feel their new found power. 
There is a distinct possibility that Russia will break up into its 
constituent regions.
  Tomorrow evening, with the Speaker's permission, I would like to 
continue with this discussion by focusing upon the regions of Russia, 
many of whom are determined to strike out for independence and to 
reject the central authority of Moscow.

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