(VOVOworld) – As of October 1st, the US Agency for International Development, USAID, withdrew all staff from Russia, ending its 20-year mission there in response to Moscow’s request. Although Washington insists the closure will not affect bilateral ties, analysts says the damage is already done. VOV’s Ánh Huyền comments….
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| US media say Russia’s expulsion of USAID in its territory will affect the bilateral relations. |
Established in 1961, USAID is responsible for administering civilian foreign aid to support development assistance programs in democracy, economy, healthcare, emergency humanitarian activities, and prevention of conflicts in 100 countries and territories around the world. It opened an office in Moscow in 1992. During the 2012 fiscal year, USAID gave Russia about 2.7 billion USD and employed 60 Russians and 13 Americans. In the 1990s, the agency focused on helping Russia change from a state-controlled economy into a free market economy. But in the last decade, most USAID funding went to support human rights organizations and activities to develop a stronger civil society in Russia. USAID contributed a lot of money to Golos, the only independent vote monitor in Russia.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the decision to close the USAID office on September 18, accusing it of influencing the political process, including elections, through its distribution of grants. Moscow says that its civil society is fully mature and doesn’t need any outside direction. A public poll on the government’s decision to halt USAID’s activities showed that 75% of respondents agreed the decision will benefit Russia while only 10.5% said it will harm Russia.
Moscow’s expulsion of USAID predictably has stirred responses from US politicians and media. The US State Department completely rejected the notion that the US has interfered in Russian political life. Republican Senator John McCain said that Russia has offended the Obama administration, and the US press called the move a set-back in the US – Russian relations, erasing Barack Obama’s efforts to warm up the bilateral ties in recent years.
The decision is, in fact, part of President Putin’s political reforms. It was forecast that Putin’s return to the Kremlin would begin a difficult period for US – Russian ties. Unlike his predecessor Medvedev, Putin always takes a tough stance on the US. In his presidential election, Putin built an image of Russia being threatened by the West and since he was re-elected, both his domestic and foreign policy have reflected this viewpoint. In May, Putin focused on quelling unrest originated by local opposition parties and blamed by Putin on foreign NGO support. Besides strengthening political reforms and encouraging dialogue with the opposition, President Putin has adopted a new law on demonstrations which increases fines on strikers and punishments for crimes against the state, and strictly controls NGO activities, forcing them to register with the Russian Ministry of Justice and submit quarterly reports to relevant agencies. Recently, Russia has accused American and other foreign organizations of surreptitiously financing opposition factions to incite violence or stage demonstrations against the Russian government.
Since taking office, President Obama has sought opportunities to strengthen relations with Russia and has achieved some success including the 2010 arms control pact. The two continue to differ on many issues, such as the violence in Syria, Iran’s nuclear program, the US plan to develop a missile shield, and the Arab Spring. These differences and Moscow’s expulsion of USAID signal further ups and downs in US – Russia relations.
Ánh Huyền