International Studies Program Task Force 2011 U.S. Relations with Russia: Obama-Medvedev Bilateral Presidential Commission Take measures to combat international nuclear and regionally-originated terrorism threats v Pursue greater nuclear weapons reductions with Russia v Enact prison reform with an emphasis on health, cleanliness, and human rights per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights v Expand educational opportunities and exchange programs between Russia and the United States v Increase international cooperation to curtail the narcotics trade with increased involvement by parallel organizations v Task Force Advisor: Harmonize trade regulations according to international standards by Robert Huber assisting Russia’s acceptance into international organizations such as the OECD and WTO Task Force Evaluator: v Morris E. Jacobs Graduate Russia from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment and grant them Permanent Normal Trade Relations before Russia accedes to the WTO Editor and Coordinator: v Discretely privilege diplomatic efforts to better relations with Stephen Gannon Russia in order to influence interactions and dealings with Afghanistan, Georgia, Iran, Venezuela Task Force Members: Jennah Crotts Marisa Dyrcz Noelle Ericson Thomas Frasene Justin Gilnick Rahel Goiton Maria Guo Sarah Heck Bryndis Ingimarsdottir Jena Ladenburg Azmera Melashu Angela Meyer Bronwen Raymer Megan Stock Henrik Strand Elise Taubenheim U.S. Relations with Russia: Obama-Medvedev Bilateral Presidential Commission Task Force Advisor: Robert Huber Task Force Evaluator: Morris E. Jacobs Editor, Contributor, and Coordinator: Stephen Gannon Task Force Members: Jennah Crotts Marisa Dyrcz Noelle Ericson Thomas Frasene Justin Gilnick Rahel Goiton Maria Guo Sarah Heck Bryndis Ingimarsdottir Jena Ladenburg Azmera Melashu Angela Meyer Bronwen Raymer Megan Stock Henrik Strand Elise Taubenheim Table of Contents Executive Summary................................................................................I-V Table of Acronyms and Relevance........................................................VI-VIII Arms Control and Disarmament...........................................................1-44 Business Development and Economic Relations..................................45-88 Human Rights.........................................................................................89-139 Regional Issues........................................................................................140-209 Appendix.................................................................................................210 Papers of Individual Commission Members........................................211-322 Executive Summary The US and Russia have a history of acting in roles of global competitors. However this is not necessary, what’s more is it is in neither of our interests. Eager to move beyond obsolete and irrelevant souvenir challenges based in historical periods that are no longer in effect, but still serves to obstruct both our nations from realizing our full global and regional potential the US-Russian bilateral commission proposes a series of correlated policy recommendations that serve to directly and immediately advantage the interests of the United State’s imperative relationship with Russia. A change in administrative outlook allows for a definitive change in the relations between Russia and the United States. The Sub commission recognizes that there have been many opportunities for both bi-lateral and multilateral cooperation that have not been actualized. Moving forward the sub commission findings and recommendations, all sharing the interest of the United States, seek to achieve a level of progress not yet obtained by previous attempts. Arms Control • Take measures to combat international nuclear and regional originated terrorism threats • Pursue measures to revitalize and strengthen the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty and its goals I • Improve the relationship between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization by: President Obama has made clear in no uncertain terms, that a reduction in the nuclear arsenal is not only in the United States interests but the global interest its self. Missiles once accumulated to provide a number of fearful nations with collective security now pose a terrifying collective danger to the world. Sadly, modern terrorism affects everyone; no one society is absolutely safe. The U.S. and Russia have undertaken deep commitments to combating terrorism and its causes, and it is imperative that this relationship between U.S., Russia, and NATO, be furthered and natured. Yet the possibility nuclear terrorism extends the possible reach of terrorism exponentially. The United States and Russia must continue to take actions that prevent the threat and likelihood of nuclear terrorism. This may be achieved through the global mutual reduction of obsolete nuclear arsenals and strengthening of validity and power of treaties such as the NPT and CTBT. Business Development and Economic Relations • Graduate Russia from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment and grant them Permanent Normal Trade Relations before Russia accedes to the WTO. • Promote a strong independent judiciary that is capable of combating corruption and racketeering. II • Harmonize trade regulations according to international standards by assisting Russia’s acceptance into international organizations such as the OECD and WTO. The economic U.S.-Russian relationship is one that brims with untapped opportunities that are limited and hindered by obsolete and unwarranted policies and regional practices. The United States and Russia have different cultures and regional business practices, however many of our economic practices are mutual. It in the interest of the U.S. to promote reciprocal cooperation and practices that facilitate greater levels of exchange unriddled by corruption and gratuitous transaction costs. Specifically it is recommended that the U.S. utilize WTO accession as a condition to several changes including liberalization of work visa policy, conversion to the International Financial Reporting System. Human Rights • Enact prison reforms with an emphasis should be placed on health, cleanliness, and human rights per the UDHR • Support actions to greatly reduce human rights abuses in the areas of education, health, environmental, child labour, and human trafficking. • Conferences promoting cultural exchange and scholarly and policy-focused exchanges surrounding the prevention of xenophobia and discrimination, especially after violence such as terrorism, should be pursued. • Expand and advocate youth education rights to youth with disabilities III The United States has defined its self through a commitment to, and preservation of, human rights throughout our modern history. It is central to our national character. However the U.S. is failing in its global commitments to the furthering of human rights, especially in regards to Russian practices. Due to the U.S. inseparable ties to human rights the Russian human rights abuses, especially in sectors of education and prisons, are acting as an impassable obstruction of U.S. Russian relations. If the U.S. is to develop stronger and more familiar mutually beneficial ties with Russia it must aid Russia in efforts to enact practices that enable human rights, while also dismissing deplorable practices and situations that exemplify abuses that hamper a positive relationship. In order to progress in our relation and connection to Russia it is recommended that the U.S. succeed in the attempt to rectify unacceptable and superfluous abuses giving special consideration to abuses in the sectors of education, health, environmental, child labour, and human trafficking. Regional Issues • Reaffirm support to those Afghan officials who pursue political goals peacefully while pursuing a transition of responsibilities for both Russia, the U.S., and NATO in maintaining security in Afghanistan IV • Increase international cooperation to curtail the narcotics trade with increased involvement by parallel organizations. • Foster democracy and peace in Georgia. With an emphasis on supporting freedom of press, implementing changes to the constitution, fair elections, promoting the rule of law, and human rights. • Maximize cooperation and amiable relations between U.S. and Russia concerning Iran. • Support actions and reforms that disempower undesirable, undemocratic regimes in Venezuela, thus reducing the potency of Russian- Chávez relationship The U.S. and Russian relation is largely conducted on a bilateral platform. However a strong association can be found between U.S. interests and Russia’s relations with Afghanistan, Iran, Georgia, and Venezuela. The arena of multilateral engagements is one that exhibits the complexities of prudent diplomacy and discretion. The U.S. must be very meticulous in its approach to Russia’s personal relations, as it is a sensitized issue. The subcommission for regional issues recommends several actions that are customized for each scenario. V Table of acronyms and relevance- Listed in Order of Appearance Arms Control and Security New START- New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty- Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. Signed on April 8, 2010. NPT- Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treat- Limits the spreading of nuclear missiles. Came in to March 5 1970, and currently has 189 states party to the treaty. FMCT- Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty- A proposed international treaty that prohibit the additional production of fissile