(20 February 2003 - unofficial translation)
Article by Igor S. Ivanov,
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation,
published in the Financial Times on February 14, 2003
NEW REALITIES IN WORLD POLITICS
Russia, France and Germany recently presented a common approach to the settlement of the situation in Iraq. Many observers view this initiative as a new phenomenon in world politics, the significance of which goes beyond the Iraqi crisis.
That three countries that were once on opposite sides of the cold war divide now support a joint initiative on such an acute international crisis shows just how rapidly and completely the international system has changed since the late 1980s. Historically, of course, the interests of Russia and west European countries have often coincided. After all, Russian culture and civilisation are European. But in the past those common interests fell victim to the logic of cold war blocs.
The end of the cold war has allowed for interaction among states on a fundamentally new basis. Every state can speak with its own voice in defence of its own interests. And yet all countries are now responsible for the problems of the world and are finding new and deeper forms of international co- operation for dealing with them. These developments reflect an emerging multipolar order.
The establishment of a modern and equitable world order is a common goal of most nations. It is essential for each country's prosperity and security. But a new world order will not come about of its own accord. It requires political will to work out the new principles and mechanisms that will underpin a sustainable international order.
The settlement of the Iraqi crisis is a significant problem in that respect. The world community, via the United Nations Security Council, has set itself a clear task to find out whether Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction. Like the overwhelming majority of states, Russia believes this task can and should be fulfilled by peaceful means. Force should only be used as a last resort to settle this issue. Indeed, it is clear that an armed attack against Iraq would inevitably entail mass casualties, particularly among civilians. It would destabilise the Middle East and the world in general. Such instability would compromise the common struggle against international terrorism, and there is no excuse for that.
That is why Russia, France and Germany have come forward with a proposal that offers an alternative to war. We are committed to using all available means to bring about a peaceful and lasting solution to the problem.
Attempts to portray this initiative as an anti-American manoeuvre are completely unfounded. Those who make such suggestions are either unable to discern new trends in world politics or are unable to abandon a cold war mentality with slogans such as "Those who are not with us are against us". Actually, the Franco-German-Russian statement emphasises our readiness to discuss different ways to solve the Iraqi problem with the US and other countries in the spirit of partnership and mutual respect.
Moscow, Paris and Berlin seek to preserve the unity of the international community, particularly within the framework of the UN Security Council, rather than to undermine it. This is the key to dealing with Iraq and other international problems. But the Iraqi problem is not the only one facing the international community. All states must work hard to respond to new threats and challenges. The current magnitude of those threats warrants common action. No single state can deal with them alone.
The emerging world order of the 21st century should be built on the principle that unity lies in diversity. Pluralism is an integral part of democracy. Every country has the right to its own truth. But sound arguments must be listened to and accepted.
What unites democratic nations is far greater than what divides us. So differences in tactical approach should not be allowed to undermine the community of nations or the international organisations engaged in solving the world's problems.
The preservation of a unified Euro-Atlantic community, with Russia now part of it, is of immense importance. The development of a constructive partnership between my country, Europe and the US, united by a common responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the vast Euro-Atlantic area and by a common concern for establishing a secure environment for our peoples answers this purpose. It is this objective that underlies the joint statement by Russia, France and Germany. We hope that it will be heard and understood correctly.
