Part One: U.S. strategy in the 21st century: leadership through hegemony
Chapter IV: Funding for U.S. International Policy
Funding of Policies Toward CIS Countries and Russia
In chapter two of the 1997 Act, Development Assistance, Section 511 is dedicated to CIS countries; it states the necessity to support “a growing class of small businessmen in the twelve New Independent States seeking to plant the seeds for the emergence of a true middle class in those fledgling states.” (р. 95) These sums amounted to $625 million in 1997, $839.9 million in 1998, and $789.9 million in 1999.
Let’s examine a passage, bureaucratized in style, that directly concerns Russia: “The Committee is troubled by growing evidence of Russian actions in the other New Independent States intended to undermine their sovereignty and reassert Russia’s historical dominance over those states. In this regard, the Committee is concerned with rationales provided by this administration that the United States cannot oppose any surrender of sovereignty by any of the New Independent States if such a surrender is ‘voluntary.’ (The Committee goes on to express its doubt that the process is voluntary rather than caused by Russian pressure — A.B.) The Committee specifically notes evidence of Russian arms supplies and support for separatist ethnic movements in other New Independent States; allegations of Russian support for coup attempts in other New Independent States; use of economic pressure by Russia against the other New Independent States to gain political and military concessions from those states; and Russian manipulation of energy exports by several of the other New Independent States employing the Russian-controlled pipeline system to limit those states’ hard currency revenues. The Committee is disappointed with this repeated rationalization by the administration of the Russian effort to ‘reintegrate’ the former Soviet states.” (p.96)
The Ukraine comports itself differently. The Committee points out that: “The Ukrainian government has demonstrated a high degree of consideration for America’s foreign policy interests at a time when Russia, in contrast, flaunts those interests.” (p. 96-97)
There are some peculiar “concerns” about Belarus in connection with Russia: “The Committee strongly endorses the actions taken by the President to oppose the growing dictatorship of President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus.” (p. 97) (The paper goes on to mention human rights violations, absence of democracy, etc. – A.B.). “The Committee calls on the President to coordinate with other democratic states in Europe to support the reintroduction of democratic government in Belarus. While the Committee supports continued aid to nongovernmental organizations, independent media, democratic movements, and humanitarian needs in Belarus, it recommends that aid (including international loans to Russia) be curtailed if top officials of the Russian government continue to support the activities of Alexander Lukashenko. The Committee believes that the fate of democracy in Belarus will have consequences for the other New Independent States.” (p.98)
Apparently, Mr. Lukashenko has good reason for his verbal attacks on the West: “Support at the highest levels of the Russian government for the dictatorship of President Alexander Lukashenko in the New Independent State of Belarus and ongoing efforts to ‘integrate’ Russia and Belarus should be strongly challenged and opposed by the administration.” (p.107)
Regarding mass media in Russia, “The Committee notes the trend in Russia towards increasing control of the larger broadcast media and print publications by profitable monopolies with close links to top levels of the Russian government. The Committee views this trend as both a potential threat to true freedom of speech in Russia and a potential support for corrupt activities that might otherwise be publicized by a truly free press. The Committee strongly encourages the Agency for International Development to take this trend into account and to review its programs to redouble efforts to promote truly independent media. Because the sustainability of a non-state-controlled media is critical during this period of transition, the Committee supports continued assistance for independent broadcast media.
“…The Committee is encouraged by the progress of the Agency for International Development’s media assistance work in Russia, and specifically by the progress being made in the print media through the Russian American Press and Information Center (‘‘RAPIC’’).” (p.100)
The 21st Century: The World Without Russia
(Philosophical-sociological Essay)