York diplomat-in-residence provides inside view of Russia

By Susan Scott

George Fallis, dean of the Faculty of Arts at York welcomes Anne Leahy, diplomat-in-residence at York and former ambassador to Russia

There's a good reason why Russia still matters and western governments cannot abandon the country despite its continuing economic and political woes - its formidable nuclear arsenal still commands the world's respect.

Those sobering words brought mostly nods of assent when Anne Leahy, former Canadian ambassador to Russia, Armenia, Belarus and Uzbekistan, pronounced them at her inaugural lecture as York's first diplomat-in-residence. Her three-year ambassadorial stint completed, Leahy is spending this academic year at the University, a position funded through the federal government's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). Prior to her Russia posting, Leahy was ambassador to Poland from 1992-93. While at York, Leahy will be based at the University's Centre for International and Security Studies.

Her lecture theme was "Understanding Russia: A little less hubris, a little more humility." Leahy explained that the policies advanced during the 1990s by the G7 countries (the seven industrialized countries in the world, including Canada) focused on funding aimed at helping Russia strengthen its democracy and free-market economy. She suggested less hubris, or the west's presumption, because while western advisors provided their best advice, and the G7 approved sending aid to Russia, "we believed our aims had to work, it was our recipe." However, more humility by the west may have illustrated that Russia didn't view its situation the way others did. "We didn't have the political leverage. The textbook for reform in Russia hasn't been written," said Leahy.

Leahy stated that Canada's policy continues to favour assisting Russia on its road to recovery even though that view is not shared "universally." In Russia, she said, there is an unspoken suspicion that the policy of the United States towards Russia is not "benign." However, she said she disagrees with that view and emphasized Canada's policy has, as its underlying belief, that "Russia still matters."

Over the years, "expectations were high" in most circles that a solution would emerge for Russia. Leahy said even the "radical reformers" were optimistic. However, Russia's "top down" structure slowed things down. The momentum for change existed but Leahy suggested that "we underestimated the urge Russians had to get rid of the central command economy." In fact, she said the resistance to change stemmed largely from the managerial class in Russia. "The managers turned out to be the largest obstacle."

The other obstacle was timing, she said, which may also have been underestimated. "You can't do away with centuries of history. In other countries, there isn't that history. But, there was a presumption," she explained.

By 1996, Russians had voted for reform and against communism which "gave us an indication, but it will take decades for elements of reform to happen." At the same time, opinion wasn't unanimously optimistic; she said some western advisors cautioned that reforms would take as long as 25 years to change the system in Russia.

As well, Russia still lacks the political consensus at all levels to push reforms through, unlike Poland, which in the 1980s was more successful at overthrowing its communist system. Leahy pointed to that country's parliament which pushed for reforms and the general population which reacted against its political and economic systems. She pointed out that when Boris Yeltsin, Russia's current president, first took power in the early 1990s, he had the support of the people and was prepared to implement reforms.

"Now that opportunity is lost and Russia's view is that it knows better what it needs," said Leahy. Although western advice is still sought, she said, Russian officials aren't as receptive to it.

She lamented that while there's a lot of knowledge and information "we can't come to grips with what is happening and take the next steps" to help Russia.

During a question period, Leahy was asked about the west's policy during the current war in the republic of Chechnya between the Russian military and the republic's army. She said while most observers would like to believe that the Russian government is "not after the general population but terrorists" in Chechnya, "there are hardliners in Russia who are catching up and solving the problem their way." She said reformers in Russia are in favour of the war because "it might be their last opportunity to stay in power."

She was also asked about whether or not Canada has a policy, separate from other G7 nations, towards Russia. Leahy said there are similarities in policies amongst all G7 countries but "we all have different views." For example, Canada views Russia as a northern neighbour sharing issues such as environmental issues. However, Japan, although it supports Russian reform, is advancing the signing of peace treaties with that country.