PINR:: Oct. 04, 2004: Russia-E.U. Relations

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Power and Interest News Report (PINR)

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October 04, 2004:

For other PINR analyses on the Russia-Chechnya issue, visit the following articles:

"Russia's Foray into Preemptive Warfare a New Challenge to its Security Establishment"
http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=210

"Chechnya: Russia's Second Afghanistan"
http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=206

''Russia and its Muslim Population: A Balancing Act''
http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=207

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''The Chechnya Factor in Russia-E.U. Relations''
Drafted by Yevgeny Bendersky on October 04, 2004
http://www.pinr.com

The recent terror attacks in the Russian Federation have transformed the country's security environment and people's sense of vulnerability in profound ways. While the attention of the world has focused on the Russian federal investigations and the security repercussions, the country has once again been reminded of the deep differences that exist between itself and the Western world on the way the Chechen conflict is viewed and analyzed. Most importantly, Moscow has been reminded that the European Union and Russian Federation are approaching the issue of recent developments in Chechnya from entirely different points of view. There are indicators that the attack at Beslan was a symbolic watershed in the relations between the rising power of the European Union and an embattled Russian Federation.
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- Russia-E.U. Relations

Yet the issue of Chechnya has always been the thorn in the side of the seemingly close cooperation between Russia and Europe. The main sticking point is the E.U.'s insistence on a political resolution to the conflict, while Russia regards its military actions in the restive region as the only way to put conflict, and terrorist activities it generates, to rest. In the very beginning of the second Chechen war, in October 1999, both sides engaged in heated arguments in Helsinki, as the E.U. urged Russia to avoid disproportionate use of force and to negotiate with Chechen political leaders. Back then, the E.U. voiced public concern about the deteriorating security situation in Chechnya, especially the lack of safety for Chechen civilians caught between the Russian federal troops and Chechen fighters. Putin wanted closer ties to the European Union on Russia's terms -- with no interference over how Moscow conducts its affairs in Chechnya.
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- Russia-U.S. Relations

Moscow's resentment towards Europe over the fundamental differences in handling Chechnya is also applied to the United States. Following the Beslan tragedy, the U.S. expressed willingness to hold talks with Chechens who seek independence. The Russian foreign ministry spokesman called such talks with Chechen rebel leaders "absolutely unacceptable," even suggesting that such course of action could harm bilateral relations.
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- Conclusion

As President Putin proposes policies that would give him much more power within the Russian Federation, the U.S. has stressed its support for Moscow's struggle against terrorism. Putin's policies would eventually lead to more forceful actions in Chechnya and to specific decisions that run counter to Europe's commitment to a political settlement in the Chechen war and its support for human rights. The European Union will continue to hold a magnifying glass to the Chechnya situation, and will certainly hold Russia to a higher standard of responsibility in the future.
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complete article at http://www.pinr.com
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