Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MOSCOW12457
2006-11-15 15:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:  

RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER RAISES PUBLIC PROFILE

Tags:  PGOV MARR MCAP PREL RS 
pdf how-to read a cable
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PP RUEHDBU
DE RUEHMO #2457/01 3191556
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 151556Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5173
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 012457 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV MARR MCAP PREL RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER RAISES PUBLIC PROFILE

REF: MOSCOW 11989

Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Alice G. Wells.
Reasons 1.4 (B/D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 012457

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV MARR MCAP PREL RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER RAISES PUBLIC PROFILE

REF: MOSCOW 11989

Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Alice G. Wells.
Reasons 1.4 (B/D).


1. (C) SUMMARY; Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister
Sergey Ivanov has made himself more available to the media
and the general public in recent weeks. Although he is
careful to limit his remarks to issues within his core
portfolio, an "interactive interview" in a prominent
newspaper last week featured many of the hallmarks of
political campaigning. END SUMMARY.
.
--------------
IVANOV'S FOREIGN POLICY TOUR D'HORIZON
--------------


2. (SBU) Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sergey
Ivanov fielded questions from "Izvestia" readers in an
article published 9 November. The newspaper reportedly had
solicited questions in advance from readers, resulting in
over 500 submissions from around the country via Internet,
e-mail, and telephone. Among the issues Ivanov chose to
address in his published remarks:

-- Russia is concerned about nuclear programs in Iran and
North Korea but, "unlike the U.S.," Moscow has never divided
countries of the world into friends and foes or sought to
demonize countries or their leaders with designations like
"axis of evil." Russia can play a unique mediating role in
reducing tensions with these countries.

-- The Middle East is a region critical to Russia's
geopolitical and economic interests; "mutually advantageous"
cooperation with Iran and Syria pays "tangible economic and
political dividends."

-- The Baltic states have not reciprocated Russia's goodwill,
including being the first nation to recognize their
independence; instead, these states have allowed Nazi
veterans to march in their streets, while treating ethnic
Russians as second-class citizens.

-- While the international community, including Russia,
recognizes the territorial integrity of Georgia, Tbilisi
authorities have been belligerent in their approach to
Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Although it is difficult to
predict the outcome for these two regions, much will depend

on "how the West deals with Kosovo's independence."

-- All Russian troops will depart the Tbilisi garrison by the
end of December 2006. Withdrawal from the base in
Akhalkalaki will be completed in 2007 and from the base in
Batumi in 2008. Moscow is currently organizing two separate
mountain brigades for deployment in Dagestan and
Karachayevo-Cherkessia to ensure security in the North
Caucasus.

-- Russia will not join NATO and remains skeptical of the
need for such an Alliance in the wake of the break-up of the
Soviet Union and the collapse of the Warsaw Pact. However,
Moscow will continue to cooperate with NATO to maintain
global security, combat international terrorism, and prevent
the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

-- Moscow has many questions about the proposed deployment of
a U.S. missile defense system in east central Europe to
intercept missiles from Iran. Russia will find
"asymmetrical, but no less effective" ways to ensure its
security.

-- The Kuril Islands are an inalienable part of Russia in
accordance with agreements with the Allied powers at the end
of World War II. Discussion about their return to Japan is
"nothing more than speculation."

-- Russia does not plan to challenge U.S. or NATO maritime
supremacy. Its naval shipbuilding program is focused on
construction of smaller vessels, like corvettes and frigates,
that are suitable for coastal protection and defense of the
country's economic interests.

-- Hazing is a long-standing problem in the military that
existed, without publicity, even during the Soviet period.
In addition, the quality of conscripts and the social status
of officers was much higher during that period -- these are
negative trends that the Government is trying to reverse
despite anticipated difficulties in training draftees
expected to serve for only 12 months beginning in 2008.
Housing problems for military personnel will be resolved by

MOSCOW 00012457 002 OF 002



2010.
.
--------------
IVANOV POSITIONING FOR PRESIDENTIAL RACE?
--------------


3. (C) One of our contacts, Aleksandr Sharavin, Director of
the Institute for Political and Military Analysis, dismissed
Ivanov's interview as "pedestrian questions, pedestrian
answers." Sharavin, a former member of the General Staff,
emphasized that Ivanov's remarks contained no new information
and speculated that Defense Ministry officials had screened
the questions before Ivanov chose the specific issues to
address. He added that Ivanov's public relations were part
of a campaign to position himself to become the next
president despite his public claims to the contrary. All of
Ivanov's actions should be assessed in this context,
including "Izvestiya's" open forum, which mimics President
Vladimir Putin's interactive exchange with the public last
month (reftel).
.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------


4. (C) Ivanov's "interactive interview" follows closely on
the heels of Putin's 25 October live session with the public
and closely mirrors it in tone and format -- with the obvious
exception of not being "live." Although Ivanov told one
"Izvestiya" questioner that he was too busy with military
reform to think about presidential elections, the interview
nonetheless had all the trappings of an orchestrated effort
to cast the often combative minister as "in command" and
fully capable of addressing some of the nation's most
important security challenges.
BURNS