Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (left) and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Moscow, November 6, 2008
Photo: Alexander Miridonov
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Berlusconi Go-Between with U.S.
// He’s ready to improve relations between Russia and the West
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held talks with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Moscow yesterday. The leaders witnessed the signing of a host of business contracts and discussed the world financial crisis. Another important topic of discussion was consequences of the recent war in the Caucasus for relations between Russia and the West. Kommersant has learned that Berlusconi has offered to arrange a meeting with someone from the new American administration – before Barack Obama’s inauguration.
Silvio Berlusconi has received a warm reception at the Kremlin since the Putin presidency. Dmitry Medvedev has continued that tradition. They talked with obviously friendliness and informality. The signing of about 30 agreements in the presence of the presidents was more evidence of the good relations between Moscow and Rome. “In spite of any crisis, I want Italy and the Italian government to be Russia’s most important partner,” Berlusconi declared.
In additional to business issues, Berlusconi suggested “exchanging opinions on all international questions that are in development.” He said that “it is especially important, taking into account of the fact that Italy will be responsible for the next Group of Eight meeting.”
The exchange of views with Berlusconi has been especially highly valued by the Kremlin lately. After the August war in the Caucasus, Italy was one of the few European Union members to defend Moscow’s actions. It has not been forgotten that, at the September 1 emergency EU summit on the situation in the Caucasus, Berlusconi urged further cooperation with Russia without sanctions. He told Italian journalists at the time that he even quarreled with the European leaders over it. “I simply told them that I do not understand the meaning of the words ‘disproportionate response’ means in reaction to the actions of the Russians and asked for an explanation of what would have been an adequate response in that situation,” he said at a press conference.
His closeness to the Kremlin and to Vladimir Putin, which the leaders have never hidden, may be useful for the United States. Now that the leaders of Russia and the U.S. having practically stopped speaking by telephone, the White House can maintain contact with the Russian Prime Minister through Berlusconi. A source in Rome told Kommersant that U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney asked Berlusconi to act as intermediary when he visited Italy after the Caucasian war.
Sources say Berlusconi agreed to the request and suggested a meeting between the Russian and American leadership just after the elections, but before the inauguration of the new administration. If the national leaders refuse to meet, it may be helpful for Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meet with the future American secretary of state or for other high officials to meet. Berlusconi discussed this question during a recent visit to the U.S. and received the approval of U.S. President George W. Bush.
As the world financial crisis continues, it is quite desirable to Moscow to establish contacts with the new administration and reduce tensions between the U.S. and Russia. Medvedev carefully criticized the U.S. in his address to the Federal Assembly, but also expressed his readiness to work with the new president. Several members of the government, including Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin, voiced similar feelings on Wednesday.
If the idea of a meeting between the Russian leadership and the representatives of the new U.S. administration takes shape during the meetings between Berlusconi and Medvedev and Putin, it may take place very soon. Medvedev will lead the Russian delegation to the G20 summit in Washington on November 15 to take part in the meeting of 20 world leaders to discuss the financial crisis. Those close to Obama have already indicated that he may hold informal meetings during the summit.
Alexander Gabuev
All the Article in Russian as of Nov. 07, 2008
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