New Russian Defense Doctrine



New Russian Defense Doctrine

January 14, 2000

New Russia Defense Doctrine Lowers Atomic Threshold

By REUTERS

MOSCOW -- Russia published a revamped national security concept Friday that makes clear Moscow has lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons to counter what it sees as a growing

military threat.

Under the previous concept published in 1997, Russia reserved the right to use its nuclear arsenal, the world's second largest, only if its very existence were threatened. The new version, approved by Acting President Vladimir Putin on January 6, now envisages the potential use of atomic weapons "to repel armed aggression," a much less specific term.

Few details were made available when the concept was approved.

"A completely new document

has been produced," the weekly

military newspaper

Nezavisimoye Voyennoye

Obrozreniye said in a

commentary. "Threats to Russia

have been reassessed."

The Kremlin's Security Council,

which compiled the 21-page

document, made a copy

available to Reuters Friday.

The concept vividly reflects

Russia's more antagonistic view

of the world. But it also

recognizes the economy is in

tatters, conventional forces are in

disarray and the nuclear

deterrent is one of the few tools

left.

"The level and scale of threats in

the military sphere is growing,"

says the document, intended to

set out Russia's vital interests and

establish priorities to protect

them.

The stagnant economy,

endangered environment, weak

military and the gulf between rich

and poor all figure prominently. There is greater emphasis on fighting

terrorism and organized crime and more attention to computers and

political extremism.

But it is Moscow's view of outside threats and how to deal with them that

catches the eye.

The document -- divided into four sections covering Russia's place in the

world, national interests, threats and ways to counter them -- says Russia

remained important but "a number of states" were trying to weaken and

marginalize it.

It lists the main foreign threats as NATO's eastward enlargement and

own new strategy, the possibility of military bases bordering Russia, a

weaker role for the United Nations and a lack of integration among

former Soviet states. Some states were playing on Russia's reduced

circumstances, it said.

"Other states threaten Russian national security by attempting to oppose

the strengthening of Russia as a center of influence in a multipolar world,

impeding efforts to protect its national interests and weakening its role in

Europe, the Middle East, Transcaucasus, Central Asia and the

Asia-Pacific."

The document said there were two main, opposing trends in world

affairs. Moscow's favored option was for a "multi-polar" world with a

range of regional powers. The other trend, it said, was for a "unipolar"

world dominated by the United States.

Moscow's main security task was to deter any attacks, nuclear or

conventional, against Russia and its allies, it says.

"The Russian Federation considers it possible to use military force to

guarantee its national security according to the following principles:

"The use of all forces and equipment at its disposal, including nuclear

weapons, if it has to repel armed aggression if all other means of

resolving the crisis have been exhausted or proved ineffective."

The other principle stated under the new concept is the use of force to

quell internal unrest, a hint at Russia's preoccupation with keeping its vast

federation of 89 regions intact. Russia is now engaged in a protracted

campaign against separatists in Chechnya.

Security Council secretary Sergei Ivanov said earlier this week that Putin

was likely to approve a complementary and more narrowly defined

military doctrine by mid-February.

The first deputy chief of general staff, Valery Manilov, told Russian news

agencies Friday the doctrine would reflect the concept's position on using

nuclear weapons.

He said Russia had the right to repel aggressors using nuclear weapons if

conventional forces were insufficient but that Moscow would never use

such arms against nonaggression.

The broader security document said Russia could guarantee its strategic

interests only if its economy was in good shape. It said Russia should

have a "socially oriented market economy."

"Russia's national interests in this sphere are crucial," it said. The

economy has been mired since a 1998 financial crisis.

January 14, 2000

Highlights of Russia's Security Declaration

Related Article

New Russia Defense Doctrine Lowers Atomic Threshold

By REUTERS

USSIA IN THE WORLD COMMUNITY

There are two main trends in world affairs: a multi-polar world of regional

powers which Russia favors and a unipolar world surrounding the United

States and its allies.

Russia remains influential despite its difficulties.

Russia wants to integrate further into the world economy.

It has common cause with many countries on non-proliferation, regional

conflict-solving, terrorism, the drug trade and the environment.

But some countries are trying to weaken Russia's position and ignore it.

To do so could destabilize the international situation.

RUSSIA'S NATIONAL INTERESTS

The economy is a key element.

On the domestic front, the main interests are in maintaining constitutional

order, deepening democracy and rooting out extremism.

It is vital for Russia to have good ties with the other 11 former Soviet

republics in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Further afield, the aim is to guarantee Russia's sovereignty and ensure the

country remains a great power.

THREATS TO NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE RUSSIAN

FEDERATION

In the economic sphere, the main threats are a lack of innovation and

investment, a stagnating agricultural sector, an imbalance in the banking

system, foreign and domestic debt burdens and the contrast of raw

materials exports with imports of finished goods.

Russia is in danger of losing a leading role in scientific research.

Domestic political threats include: separatist tendencies, tensions between

Moscow and the regions, political extremism and laws unequally applied.

Organized crime and corruption are major threats, as are a lack of

adequate funding for the police, the gulf between rich and poor, and

alcohol and drug abuse.

On the international scene, the main threats are a reduced role for the

United Nations, a weakened role for Russia, NATO enlargement,

NATO operating beyond its members' borders, possible foreign bases

near Russia, weapons proliferation, claims on Russian territory, poor CIS

integration, terrorism, information policy, ecological problems and

transnational crime.

GUARANTEEING NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE RUSSIAN

FEDERATION

The main tasks are to spot threats, guarantee Russia's sovereignty and

integrity, ensure the economy is socially oriented, reduce reliance on

foreign technology and improve the balance between Moscow and the

regions.

They also include the need to guarantee equal and mutually beneficial

cooperation with the world's leading nations, increase and maintain

Russia's military potential, minimize foreign espionage and radically

improve the environment.

On the economy, the aim is to reduce foreign debt and strengthen the

role of the state but to encourage investment and initiative. Competition is

to be encouraged in all appropriate areas. Northern Russia needs

particular help.

On internal affairs, the aims are to step up the battle against organized

crime and corruption, ensure there is a clear vertical chain of command

across the country, guarantee the rights of the individual and improve

health care.

For foreign policy the priorities are to simplify the multilateral nature of

relations particularly through the U.N. Security Council, develop relations

with the CIS, defend citizens abroad, participate in international

organizations, take part in peacekeeping, help control nuclear weapons

and adapt existing treaties to new circumstances.

In the military sphere, Russia needs to be equipped to respond

adequately to any threats that may emerge in the 21st century. The main

aim is to deter aggression.

Russia has the right to use all available means, including nuclear weapons,

to repel aggressors.

The Security Council has an umbrella function to monitor the security

forces and advise the president on threats.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download