| Facing
the Russia problem
Harry
Blaney
The International Herald Tribune
September 13, 2007
There
is no more serious problem for Western democracies
than the possibility of Russian society taking a downward
spiral. Judy Dempsey's perceptive and alarming article,
"Sick man of Russia? The average citizen"
(Letter from Europe, Sept. 7), highlights the decline
in Russia's civil society, governance, health and
well being. Clearly, oil revenue has not been effectively
directed to those in need.
The West needs a more comprehensive
and long-term approach for bringing Russia into the
community of responsible and democratic nations. It
is in Russia's strategic and economic interests to
be part of that world rather than become a perpetual
belligerent toward the governments from which it has
so much to gain.
There is a long list of potential
areas for mutual cooperation between Russia and the
West, including energy and the environment, nuclear
stability, trade and science and technology. But especially
in the area of health, Europe and America could help
Russia address the serious failings outlined by Dempsey.
This task needs accelerated action.
Harry
C. Blaney III
Senior
Fellow
Center for International Policy
|
