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Untitled Document Remarks at The Elliott School of International Affairs (excerpted) Secretary of State Colin L. Powell Department of State September 5, 2003
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We work hard to have the best relations with nations large and small, old and new. But it is important that we concentrate on those major powers, and especially on those with which we have had different and difficult relations over the years.
Our relationship with Russia and China and India fall into this category. And just look at where we are now. Our relationship with Russia has been dramatically transformed -- for the better -- since that November evening in 1989. Americans and Russians no longer point growing arsenals of strategic missiles at one another. Indeed, thanks to President Bush and President Putin's leadership, we are now radically reducing our strategic weapons' arsenals. In Moscow, we have a committed partner in fighting terrorism and in combating the spread of weapons of mass destruction worldwide.
U.S.-Russian commercial relations, too, have expanded, and will expand further to mutual benefit -- not least in the energy sector.
The new relationship that is developing between Russia and NATO, too, has real substance. From sharing intelligence on terrorism to working together to deal with humanitarian crises and peacekeeping tasks, the NATO-Russia Council is operational and working -- something that would have been absolutely unthinkable just 15 or so short years ago.
And that relationship with Russia can expand as far as our creativity and mutual effort will let it. We are closer than ever, with this new relationship with Russia and the other former republics of the Soviet Union, we are closer than ever to a Europe whole, free and at peace -- a Europe that definitely includes Russia, a Europe that will not in this century face the kinds of challenges that was faced in the century past.
Perhaps most important, American and Russian political and economic philosophies are converging. Russia today is more democratic than not. It is also more a market economy than not. We should be patient as Russia develops its democratic institutions, and as the painful hangover of Soviet-era corruption is rooted out and the rule of law firmly established.
We do not agree on everything. Earlier this year, we had hoped for a more supportive Russian attitude toward our Iraq policy. We still hope for more change in Russia's attitude toward the Iranian nuclear program. And we differ over aspects of Russian policy in Chechnya. But the relationship as a whole is no longer locked in knee-jerk antagonism. That's what is important. We now have the necessary level of trust required to solve even the most difficult issues that exist between us.
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