U.S. Warns Russia: Stick With Reforms

The Clinton administration warned Thursday that it might not support Russian membership in important Western organizations such as the Group of Seven industrialized nations if Moscow turns back from economic reform and hardens its foreign policies.

“Russia’s integration with the institutions of the West, which is in our mutual interest, depends on Russia’s willingness to abide by international norms and to stay on the path of reform,” Secretary of State Warren Christopher declared in a foreign policy speech at Harvard University.

It was the first time any top U.S. official has suggested that the United States might toughen its policies toward Russia in response to recent events in Moscow. Christopher said he will deliver the warning to Russia’s new foreign minister, Yevgeny M. Primakov, when the two meet in Europe next month.

In December, the government of President Boris N. Yeltsin suffered a damaging political setback when the Communist Party of Russia and ultranationalist forces headed by Vladimir V. Zhirinovsky won the largest two blocs of seats in elections for the Duma, or lower house of the Federal Assembly.

In the weeks since the election, Yeltsin has changed his government in ways that eviscerate the role of reformers. He appointed Primakov, the Russian intelligence chief who is an alumnus of the Soviet KGB, to replace reform-minded Foreign Minister Andrei V. Kozyrev. And on Tuesday, he dismissed First Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly B. Chubais, who for the past four years had spearheaded efforts to bring free-market reforms to the Russian economy.

These changes come as Russia prepares for a more important election--the one for president--in June. Yeltsin has not yet officially declared his candidacy for reelection, but he has strongly hinted that he will run.

Christopher’s address to Harvard’s John Fitzgerald Kennedy School of Government was supposed to be a general overview of U.S. foreign policy. But his warning about Russia was the dominant theme.

“Recent events reflect troubling signs of Russian reform under strain,” he said. “The Russian people face an important choice in the June presidential election.

“In the final analysis, only they can choose their leaders and determine their future,” Christopher continued. “Our obligation is to promote democratic values and institutions and to pursue our national interests at all times.”

Since the era of the last Soviet leader, Mikhail S. Gorbachev, Moscow has been seeking membership in the Group of Seven, the organization of wealthy industrialized nations that meets each year to discuss international economic and political issues.

Russia also would like admission to international economic groups such as the World Trade Organization. And it is seeking extensive economic help from the International Monetary Fund, or IMF. U.S. officials point out that within the next few weeks Russia is hoping to obtain as much as $9 billion in credit from the IMF, which could be jeopardized if Moscow retreats drastically from its economic reform program.

Christopher also talked about China in his speech, acknowledging that the United States and China “have come through a rocky period in our relations.”

He said the Clinton administration “is ready to restore positive momentum to our relationship.” But he urged China to be more accommodating. “The United States will do its part, but if we are to build a lasting, productive relationship, China has a responsibility to take meaningful steps to address areas of our concern and to respect internationally accepted principles,” he said.