As Prepared:
RESTORING GOVERNANCE
IN THE UNCONTROLLED TERRITORIES
Singapore, June 6, 2010
Mr. Chairman,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Excellencies,
First of all, may I express my appreciation for the invitation to speak before such a distinguished audience at the Asia Security Summit.
It has a special emotional value for me.
First, because this is, so-to-say, my “maiden voyage” in that part of the world in my present capacity.
And, second, this is a unique chance to add to my ten year long experience of participating in Munich Conference on Security Policy a very important expertise to be gained here in Singapore.
I have no doubt that this is going to be very productive in many ways.
Dear colleagues,
At the period of the global financial crisis Asia-Pacific region is once again demonstrating impressive growth potential and dynamics.
In 2010 in the Asia-Pacific countries the average GDP growth rate is expected to score 7%, whereas in China and India it could reach 9.5% and 8.3%, respectively.
In other countries, including Russia where growth rate is likely to be on the level of 5% by the end of the year, situation keeps improving, too.
Regardless of how impressive these figures might appear, it would be a mistake to view situation in the Asia Pacific Region only from an economic angle.
This region has accumulated many potential sources of crisis over the past half a century. These include long-standing unresolved conflicts, interstate tensions, territorial disputes and mistrust – all these remnants of the Cold War contribute to regional instability.
Just consider the situation in the Korean peninsula, which is now once again heating up dangerously.
In the recent years traditional threats have been complemented by new transnational challenges and threats including terrorism, danger of WMD proliferation, separatism, religious extremism, drug trafficking, trans-national criminality, sea piracy, climate change, environmental and technological disasters, pandemics. The volatility on the global financial markets in 2008-2009 have added to those problems and provoked challenges for financial, energy and food security. In other words, regional challenges multiply, mutate and influence each other to create new sources of instability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Of these challenges I would like specifically to focus on the need to restore effective governance in the uncontrolled territories. This problem emerges often as a result of internal conflicts and civil wars, or as a result of weak states where governments are unable to prevent or resolve these conflicts. . The lack of effective government is often compensated in such cases by the rule of terrorist, extremist and separatist groups and even criminal gangs profiting from drug production and trade; trafficking of arms and persons, or piracy. With slight variations and in different forms this phenomenon can be found in Afghanistan and in the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan. There is continuing instability in the "Golden Triangle", in the southern provinces of Thailand and in the southern Philippines.
As it has become customary in our days, the non-state groups which operate out of the uncontrolled territories have links to terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, Jemaah Islamiyah and others and use these areas as a base for their criminal activities, including recruitment of insurgents, establishment of training camps, bases for managing terrorist operations and organising attacks against neighboring countries.
The problem of uncontrolled territories has a complex nature and requires an integrated approach to address the whole spectrum of the associated issues. Of course, the primary responsibility to restore administration in these areas should rest with the state to which those belong. Restoration of legal authorities may be effected in different ways, depending on the specific conditions and chosen strategies to achieve this goal. While the long lasting conflict in the Indonesian province of Aceh [Аче] has been resolved by peaceful means, whereas Sri Lanka used forces to defeat insurgency in the north of the country.
In some cases states are not able to solve such problems on their own. In these cases, the international engagement in the form of peacekeeping or peace enforcement is required to restore and to provide the necessary support to the legitimate administration in the uncontrolled territories.
Russia believes that peacekeeping under the UN auspices is an essential instrument to maintain international peace and security.
We advocate for strengthening of UN’s conflict prevention and crisis-response capabilities which could enhance the quality and efficiency of peacekeeping activities. It is important that common approach to the prevention and peaceful settlement of conflicts is established with absolute respect for international law and institutions such as the UN. We also believe that the UN Security Council should act to issue clear realistic mandates for peace-keeping operations UN should also enhance its capability to manage complex peace-keeping operations and improve its military expertise. In this context, we consider it appropriate to strengthen the Military Staff Committee (MSC) – the UN Security Council subsidiary body, created in accordance with the United Nations Charter to plan operations under UN mandate.
Moreover, we believe that any actions to restore administration in the uncontrolled territories taken in the framework of peacekeeping operations must seek to minimise risks to the civilians. It is also of particular importance to accompany any peacekeeping operations with programs intended to stabilise and to restore governance, address human security, to create sustainable institutions of power, to rehabilitate economy and infrastructure and to promote social and economic development.
The international operation in East Timor provides a positive example of international community’s efforts to restore administration in the post-conflict areas. This country is now moving from post-conflict period towards a new stage of stabilization and development. All major political forces are showing willingness to maintain dialogue and work together, gradually improving the performance of governmental institutions. The central issue for the UN Integrated Mission in East Timor now is to transfer responsibility for maintaining law and order to the national police. It is expected that this process will be completed by the end of this year.
But despite the progress achieved, the situation remains fragile. East Timor continues to face serious social and economic problems. The country still needs a comprehensive international assistance to ensure security, stability and sustainable development.
As a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia has contributed to strengthening the sovereignty and independence of East Timor.
Another important factor for strengthening UN capacity to address crisis includes its relations with regional organizations. These organizations include Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) [ОДКБ].
In January 2009 CSTO member states have agreed to establish their peacekeeping capabilities involving the military, police and civilian personnel.
The resolution of the 64-th Session of the UN General Assembly on cooperation between the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Joint Declaration between the secretariats of the two organisations have opened good prospects for their interaction in promoting security and stability in Central Asia, including combating challenges and threats emanating from Afghanistan.
Russia’s policies on addressing insecurity generated by failed states and Russia’s approach to peacekeeping has been demonstrated in its efforts to promote peace and stability in the post-Soviet space.
Since early 1990s Russia was actively involved in facilitating the settlement of conflicts in the South Caucasus. For over 15 years Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have made it possible to maintain peace, stability and to ensure decent living conditions for the population of the territories uncontrolled by official authorities in Tbilisi. However Georgia’s attack on South Ossetia in August of 2008 has undermined the international efforts to resolve these conflicts and triggered Russia’s intervention to protect the local population and to restore peace and security. To prevent future conflict Russia has recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Speaking about uncontrolled territories, one should mention situation in Afghanistan. Despite the Afghan government’s efforts and many years of foreign military presence in that country, the insurgents continue to exercise control over the large part of its territory.
The international terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda continues to operate on its territory. Moreover, large part of the population of Afghanistan is involved in the cultivation and production of opium and opium products such as heroin . Narcotics have become the important source of financial support for insurgency groups including Taliban and not only to them.
Revenues derived from smuggling the drugs – which we call “white death” - to Europe, Asia and America earn insurgence and international mafia billions of dollars. We believe that, the production and illegal trafficking of Afghan drugs should be classified as a threat to international peace and security. The whole international community and, first of all, those who took the responsibility for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan, namely the International SecurityAssistanceForce, should make a strong commitment to fight this threat.
However ambiguously the Soviet military presence in Afghanistan might be viewed today, nobody disputes the fact that during that period Afghanistan almost did not produce any drugs. The explanation is simple: in spite of the military confrontation, the government of Afghanistan with active support of the Soviet Union paid major attention to the social and economic needs of the Afghan population.
Today Russia is interested that the stabilization of Afghanistan should be addressed taking into account the legitimate interests of all parties concerned, including regional states, and that international engagement in Afghanistan is transparent, balanced and based on international law.
We all share responsibility for creation of regional mechanisms both capable of settling conflicts and, most importantly, – of preventing them.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is well equipped and positioned to make a major contribution to this process.
Dear colleagues,
There is a Chinese saying "When hearts beat in unison, even clay may be turned into gold".
Russia is ready to follow this wise advice. Let us meet the challenge!
Thank you for your attention.
