Cold War Talk Prompts Russian Call for 'World Government'

By Faleh Al Hamrani
Elaph
May. 10, 2006

Translated By Nicolas Dagher

Russian Foreign Secretary Sergueii Lavrov called for the establishment of a world government, bringing together the United States and Russia. Lavrov's call comes at a time of a chilling of relations between Moscow and Washington and amidst signs of a new Cold War. Moscow is wary of the establishment by America of a front of "New Democracies" in Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Georgia to counter "the Russian Bear," which is powerfully awakening.

In an interview granted to the magazine "Russia in Global Politics," Lavrov said that bringing together a "chorus" of major nations into a world government will eliminate the jockeying for power that creates imbalances. Lavrov was certain that "most countries will welcome such a grouping of leadership."

He also said that there is no place in Russian politics for animosity toward the U.S., and that the basic goals of American and Russian foreign policy were nearly identical. He made clear that the policies of both countries are to create a more secure and predictable world.

From Lavrov's point of view, the political differences between Moscow and Washington are essentially philosophical. He explained that the apparent difference in opinion concerning the emerging international system is due to mutual misunderstanding. He added that this misunderstanding is far less significant than that which existed during the previous era, when there was a "negative stability" between two poles, namely the United States and the Soviet Union.

Lavrov pointed out that "absolute security" cannot be achieved through excessive military superiority, and he pointed out that in special cases, differences in interests are completely natural.

U.K. - Elaph - Original Article (Arabic)