Archived files released by the Clinton Digital Library show two former presidents, Bill Clinton of the United States and Boris Yeltsin of Russia, navigate the often difficult waters of US-Russian relations and grapple with issues some of which remain at the forefront of the international diplomacy years later.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 01st September, 2018) Archived files released by the Clinton Digital library show two former presidents, Bill Clinton of the United States and Boris Yeltsin of Russia, navigate the often difficult waters of US-Russian relations and grapple with issues some of which remain at the forefront of the international diplomacy years later.
Russia's worry about NATO expansion can be seen in records of these conversations.
"Our position has not changed. It remains a mistake for NATO to move eastward. But I need to take steps to alleviate the negative consequences of this for Russia. I am prepared to enter into an agreement with NATO not because I want to but because it is a forced step. There is no other solution for today," Yeltsin said.
The then-president of Russia stressed that the agreement would need to be legally binding and signed by all allies. He urged NATO to take Russia's interests into account when making any decisions.
"Also, nuclear and conventional arms cannot move eastward into new members to the borders of Russia, thus creating a new cordon sanitaire aimed at Russia. But one thing is very important: enlargement should also not embrace the former Soviet republics. I cannot sign any agreement without such language. Especially Ukraine. If you get them involved, it will create difficulties in our talks with Ukraine on a number of issues," Yeltsin said.
The former Russian president said that Moscow had been concerned with activities of then-NATO chief Javier Solana in Central Asia. Solana reportedly went to the regional governments to tell them that NATO expansion would not be a threat.
"He was pursuing an anti-Russian course. I understand the complexity of this issue, but we have no territorial or hegemonic claims on them or any other country. We are carrying out a well-tested policy with CIS countries and the Baltics, based on trust. We have various plans with countries of the former Soviet Union based on trust. That trust should remain. Our relations with the CIS and with the Baltic countries should be like yours within NATO," Yeltsin said.
Clinton attempted to assuage his counterpart's concerns by stressing that his purpose was to "create a new NATO that would not be a threat to Russia but that would permit the United States and Canada to stay in Europe and work with Russia and other countries."
"I've tried to reassure you, the Russian government and the Russian people that I'm trying to change NATO. The most important steps in that regard are, first, the language in the statement on nuclear weapons - the three no's. Second, the language on conventional forces, which reflects a very carefully considered position that we've worked out in NATO. Third, the fact of the NATO-Russia charter itself - which will redirect the mission of NATO. Fourth, the proposal by NATO on adapting the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe tabled in Vienna," Clinton said.
The worries did not end there. At one point, Yeltsin brought up the State Department's alleged attempts to prevent Russia from expanding trade relations with its Eastern neighbors.
"Bill, I am aware that the State Department made a decision and the Embassy here held a meeting whose agenda included measures to prevent the 'exit' (opening) of Russia to the East. I think that is unacceptable in relations between partners. It is up to each country to decide what kind of relations it wants, especially in trade and commerce. Each country should decide with which country to trade. Besides, we agreed we would solve such things between you and me, even over the phone," Yeltsin said.
Clinton said he wanted Russia to be more involved in Asia.
"I don't know what the State Department issue is. But let me assure you, I want you to be more involved in Asia, not less. I'm on my way to Vancouver right now for APEC [the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum]. I want you to be in APEC, and I hope we can work out WTO as well. I want Russia more involved in the Asia-Pacific region," the then-president of the United States said.
Yeltsin was deeply concerned by the airstrikes in Serbia during the Balkan crisis.
"I know that you oppose what we are doing, but I want you to know that I am determined to do whatever I can to keep our disagreement on this from ruining everything else we have done and can do together in the coming years," Clinton implored.
The Russian leader stressed that political discussions were needed instead of airstrikes.
"Yes, Bill, it is a great pity for me. We have been for so long working in each other's direction. We have done a great deal. I have reached agreement with the State Duma with regards to START II, and on the sixth of April, they were supposed to ratify that Treaty. This time around that will not happen, of course, under the circumstances," Yeltsin said.
The Clinton-Yeltsin conversations show the early inklings that there might be a tighter Russian-Japanese cooperation to come.
"I talked to [then-Prime Minister of Japan, Ryutaro] Hashimoto yesterday. I think he wants a genuinely better relationship. I think he understands that, after the NATO-Russia progress, there should be progress on the Russia-Japan front. He understands Japan has a lot to gain," Clinton said.
The former US president said Japan might be concerned over Russian-Chinese relationship, fearing that it could be "to Japan's disadvantage."
"There is a possibility for Russia to have a positive relationship with Japan, at least as positive as that with China. Japan is looking for some indication of Russian interest or for a process to improve the relationship," Clinton said.
Yeltsin pointed out he had worked hard for good relations with China.
"We are lowering arms all along our long border. As for Japan, I will work with Hashimoto for a closer relationship. Perhaps we can spend a weekend together, maybe at Baikal. We need steps to improve our relations," Yeltsin said.
The declassified conversations refer to the two countries' relations with Iran. Since then, a deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions has been negotiated, agreed, enforced and, most recently, tested by the US withdrawal.
"The relations between Russian and Iran are essentially those as between a country and a close neighbor. I am opposed to the criticism that Russia sells missiles to Iran. We will never do that. We will sell them submarines, two of these 877 class submarines, and we will go ahead with the nuclear power station," Yeltsin told Clinton.
Clinton raised an issue of intelligence indicating that some dangerous technologies may have "reached Iran from Russia, although it wasn't necessarily clear that this was coming from the Russian Government."
"Categorically no. That technology could be coming from North Korea or China but not from Russia. I know. Bill, you have recently received such intelligence. The Israeli Prime Minister was here, too, and said something about all of this, but I have looked into it, and there is absolutely nothing of the kind," Yeltsin said, interrupting.
The former Russian president added that the United States appeared to be building a relationship with Iran as well.
"I've always been willing to talk to them as long as when we talk to them terrorism is one of the issues on the agenda, but they always refuse. I can't be in the position of talking to the Iranians in ways that might make it seem that we're acquiescent in Iranian behavior that threatens our people, our friends and our allies � that could make all of us more vulnerable to terrorist attacks," Clinton said.
The conversation veered off toward more personal subjects at times.
"I noticed that you've gotten thinner. But you need to eat something," Clinton admonished his counterpart.
Yeltsin explained that he was not eating much in the morning or at night.
At another point, Clinton complimented his counterpart on his good shape.
"I lost 30 kilograms [66 lb]. But my brain is working fast, and I would say that now I am moving with more energy. I am a bit older," Yeltsin said.
Clinton called Yeltsin on December 31, 1999, the day that the Russian president announced his resignation.
"I know this has been a tough but courageous decision. I just wanted to say I read your statement this morning. I'm sad, but I am very proud of you," Clinton said.
Yeltsin thanked the then-US president for the call and expressed hope they would meet again.
