MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti commentator Maria Appakova)
This week Moscow played host to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika; last week it was visited by three other distinguished Arab guests. Arab leaders are flocking to Russia before the presidential elections, so as to consolidate the achievements made in bilateral relations over the last few years.
The Middle East has become central to American policy under President George W. Bush. For Vladimir Putin, this was one of many regions where Russia had to restore the positions it lost in the 1990s.
In 2000-2008, the United States and Russia launched new struggle for the Middle East. No longer as the enemies of the Cold War period, but as strategic partners. New times brought about new alliances, and new realities.
Practically from the very start of his presidential term, Bush announced two goals to be reached in the Middle East - victory over terror, and settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The United States has achieved dubious results in the former; and there are many outstanding questions in the latter.
Nevertheless, at his last major news conference as president, Putin emphasized that generally Russia supports the recent moves by the American president: "I believe that he [Bush] sincerely wants to achieve stabilization in the Middle East." But Putin did not forget to mention the contradictions in the approaches of the two countries to this difficult region.
In reply, Bush said that Washington appreciated partnership with Moscow on major issues of global policy, and that for America Russia is an important partner in many fields - from the Middle East to Iran. He added that the two countries may have some disagreements, but are striving for mutual understanding.
This passage reflects bilateral cooperation in the Middle East in the last eight years - joint efforts to build an anti-terrorist coalition; disagreements over the Iraqi and Iranian nuclear programs; a split on the war in Iraq; cooperation in trying to resuscitate Mid-Eastern settlement from different positions; Washington's refusal to accept the late head of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat, and the militant, but democratically elected Hamas; America's boycott of Syria and refusal to conduct dialogue with Hezbollah in Lebanon; Russia's attempts to consider the positions of all sides in each particular country. All these events took place against the background of the invisible struggle for contracts, economic cooperation, and, last but not the least, political influence.
It seemed in 2000 that Russia had lost the Middle East forever. Trade with Arab nations was close to zero. In the late 1990s, Moscow was a largely symbolic co-sponsor of settlement, and did not exert any influence on events. Russia linked its policy with the West rather than the East. After 2000 the situation changed. A new term, "multi-vector policy", was coined, and gained increasing currency in the political lexicon.
Unlike in Soviet times, Russia is not trying to surpass the United States at all costs. It is instead trying to build "earthquake proof" relations - partnerships that could withstand even the most catastrophic of political upheavals - and is promoting stability in all parts of the world. Where Washington is impulsive, Moscow is cautious. But these approaches can prove complimentary. Several times in the last few years Washington has heeded the advice of Russian diplomats. It is no accident that talk in Washington increasingly emphasizes the similarity of the Russian and U.S. approaches to the Iranian nuclear program, in particular Russia's construction of a nuclear power plant in Bushehr. Just a few years ago these were subjects of heated debate. Russian ideas are being considered in resolutions on Iraq in particular and the Middle East in general.
However, Russia's influence in the Middle East should not be overstated. In direct political clout it simply cannot compare with that of the United States, and the scale of trade is similarly mismatched. Nonetheless, Russia has carved itself a firm niche in the Mid-Eastern economy, primarily in the energy sphere and military-technical cooperation. As for policy, in an era of bitter divisions, Moscow is assuming the role of a mediator who can listen attentively to all sides.
It is impossible to imagine the Middle East without American interference, but it is also difficult to see it without Moscow's cautious policy. This policy is appreciated in the Middle East, and Arab leaders hasten to Moscow to see for themselves that Russia will not make such leaps in foreign policy as it did in the 1990s.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.
