On February 25-27, 2002 the International Institute for Strategic Studies together with US-based Harvard University Programme for Senior Russian Military Officers hosted a visit by a group of senior officials from the Russian Ministry of Defence. The group, which was led by Rear-Admiral Vladislav Ilin Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, included representatives of the Central Staff of the armed services, military academies, the Centre for Military Strategic Research of the General Staff, senior officers from military districts HQs and representatives of different MOD departments including the Department for International Military Co-operation. The main event of the visit was a seminar on “Development of crisis-management capabilities in Europe and Russia” which was held at Arundel House and attended by leading UK experts from the government, academic institutes and the media.
Among UK speakers were Simon Webb, UK MOD Policy Director and William Ehrman, Director for International Security from the Foreign and Commonwealth office. In addition the seminar was addressed by Alan Fry who heads the Anti-terrorist branch for London of the Metropolitan Police.
The seminar addressed several of the key issues currently high on the Russian, UK and European security agendas. For the UK these included, changes in UK defence policy post-11 September, defence planning for crisis-management and development of European Rapid Reaction capabilities under ESDP.The Russian side presented the Russian MoD perspective on the progress of military reform in Russia as well as strategic issues such as Russia’s role in the coalition against terrorism, and Russia’s participation in multi-national operations. In addition to the seminar, the group was briefed by the Head of the Crisis-Management Center at the UK Ministry of Defence and addressed by the Permanent Under Secretary, Sir Kevin Tebbit. In addition, there was a meeting with the Territorial Army Advisor to the Director of Royal Artillery of the UK Armed Forces and visits to the Royal College of Defence Studies and the Imperial War Museum.
