Dmitry Rogozin - The Hawks of Peace Notes of the Russian Ambassador

I t is a common perception that the respective national interests determine relations between different countries; it may seem that international relations have no room for morals, compassion, decency, charity, and other categories inherent to relations between individuals. One might think that foreign and international policies serve a pragmatic purpose, and only that. This is true to a certain extent; however, it is equally true that international relations are based not only on immediate national interests but also on national passions and, in some instances, on the passions and phobias of national elites.

A monarch, a president, a member of a government, or their aide are they robots that mechanically promote national interests that were formulated someplace by someone else? Of course, they are not. Do you remember how Russian-German relations have improved due to the friendly links between President Vladimir Putin and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder; or how much Italy led by Silvio Berlusconi and France led by Jacques Chirac did to unblock the Russia-Europe political affairs? One should never underestimate the importance of personal contacts between national leaders. These contacts discipline the character of the links between national elites, which, in turn, influences public opinion. For example, a suspicious, I would say, even negative, attitude towards NATO dominates among the Russian general public. In contrast, the European Union is viewed as a sweetie. I think, though, that the devil you know well is better than the devil you hardly know.

Politics is made by individuals and depend on their talents or the lack thereof. If the state powers at all times conducted their international policies in accordance with their predominant national interests, Russia would have never got involved in World War I that shook her entire statehood. The Soviet Union would never have fed the socialist camp, encouraging hypocrites, free-loaders, and small-scale traitors with damage to itself.

Recently my wife and I spent a weekend in Prague. During my years in college, it was compulsory for us to study a language of a socialist country. I chose to learn the Czech language because I loved Prague. Its cosy streets always filled me with a sense of harmony. However, on that last occasion I was shocked and offended by what I saw.

There was this legendary tank T-34 on one of the central Pragues squares, the very same tank that had been the first of many to roll into the city in order to help the dying Prague Uprising in 1945 and liberate the city from the German occupation.

In May 1945, after the total and unconditional defeat of the Nazi Germany had been announced and the Soviet red flag was raised atop the Reichstag, the Russian boys the crew of the T-34 did not want to die. Nobody wanted to die, especially when the war is over. However, even though the war in Europe officially ended, certain Nazi troops in Prague did not surrender. They continued to assault the Czechs, who suddenly realised the value of their freedom.

The entire crew of that first tank was killed. Grateful Prague citizens put the tank on the pedestal after the city had been liberated. Years went by, and so it came to the democratic times. Fastidious Czechs thoroughly wiped their feet over the memory of those perished Russian boys who had sacrificed their young lives so that Europe today could enjoy its trouble-free life. First the tank was painted pink, then it was taken off the pedestal all together, its turret was taken off and tossed into the flowerbed, and the rest was disposed of as scrap metal. Now, Czech youngsters use the burrs of the tank turret to open the glass bottles of their famous beer. If you do not believe it, go to Prague and see for yourself.

Now, after that, what do I have to think of the leadership of that country? What would be my opinion on its national elite, the moral and ethical state of the Czech civil society? Obviously, I have drawn my conclusions. It is also obvious that these conclusions would influence my attitude towards that country and its people. Given a chance, the negative impression that I got while in Prague would influence the Russias policy towards the Czech Republic, if I ever work in this direction. Having said that, I mean the above to be just an example, for the arguments sake.

Today, when I write the last pages of The Hawks of Peace, I am full of ideas and stamina. I am forty-seven years old. Over the last twenty-five years, same as millions of my compatriots, I have lived through grand tectonic events of Russian and global post-modern history.

Unlike many others, I had a good fortune to be a part of the events I witnessed. I saw war; I saw heroes and traitors; I saw doves of peace, profiting from the war and receiving awards and titles, and I saw hawks who struggled to establish peace for their nations.

I wish for my nation to learn at last to enjoy fruits of own victories. We are a great nation and we never surrender in wars. But why do we regress to our national vices and shamelessly waste away our lives in the times of peace?

Explaining our faults with scheming by enemies would be the simplest option. Of course, Russias enemies exist, but this does not mean that we must be politically isolated forever.

As a Russian saying goes, we are not a dollar to be liked universally.

Other nations are not overly fond of one another, either. Grassroots xenophobia, ethnic clashes, instinctive rejection and suspiciousness towards strangers are present to some extent everywhere, including NATO and the European Union. It is not compulsory to love one another, but we are obliged to learn to live in peace and respect each others choices. The main principle that I follow in my diplomacy is this: turn an enemy into a neutral, a neutral into a partner, a partner into an ally, and an ally into a friend.

I am positive that Russia will regain power and authority. Our people are gifted and our land is mega-rich; we are energetic and able to stand up for ourselves. However, a lot depends on the state power in Russia. Until some of the influential members of the elite continue to view the power as a means of personal enrichment, we would not be able to achieve a lot. The time has come for them to think of Mother Russia.

My dear hawks of peace! Let us be on guard so that the Russian Troika does not stray from its path!

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