Vice-speaker of the State Duma Arthur Chilingarov is a unique man in Russian politics. A renowned arctic explorer, he spent two decades of his life in the north. He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for his accomplishments on the North and the South Poles. He was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union for rescuing the ship “Mikhail Somov” in Antarctica waters. His longevity in the Russian parliament is remarkable: he was elected for the first time in 1993 from the Nienetz Autonomous Region. Arthur Chilingarov has been reelected for four consecutive terms. It is quite unlikely that there is any other Russian politician who has so extensive an informal connection with the United States as Arthur Chilingarov. 

- Mr. Chilingarov, your initial acquaintance with the United States took place during the times of the Cold War...

- Yes, indeed. It happened in the ice-cold arctic regions under rather unusual circumstances. In the fall of 1988, after finishing the installation of a Soviet Scientific Exploration Station “Severniy Polus-31,” our team received a request from the governor of Alaska and other public organizations of the US to assist in rescuing three whales that were trapped in ice off Alaska’s coast. I made a decision to send our “Arseniev” supply ship and the icebreaker “Admiral Makarov” to help the whales. The entire United States closely followed our rescue efforts. The vessels were able to cut through the ice and make way for the whales to get out. As a result, I received numerous letters from the Americans, who thanked me for saving the animals. My superiors in the USSR, however, reprimanded me for having altered the course of the ships. 

After that, I met with the governor of Alaska in Moscow and, later, in the United States. Mikhail Kassianov, future Prime Minister of Russia, was my assistant and interpreter during those meetings. We set the basis for the US-USSR cooperation in developing arctic projects.

- What is your favorite place in the US - what city or state?

- My favorite city is Las Vegas. Though, one time, someone stole my video-camera there. I also like Minneapolis. I have warm memories about that city. While preparing for the International “Transantarctica” Expedition, I organized the flights of an IL-76 aircraft that had to transport the expedition’s participants from 6 countries (USSR, USA, UK, France, Japan, China) to Antarctica by the fall of 1989. It was during that time that our aircraft landed in Minneapolis, which was traditionally closed to soviet planes.

- An American company Gore-tex was actively involved in organizing that expedition. In Minneapolis, the American side provided us with an experienced air navigator, whose skills allowed our pilots to reach Cuba with ease. In Minneapolis, the government organized affectionate greeting and parting ceremonies for us that impressed our group just as much as the local people. These were my most enjoyed times in the United States.

- During the various expeditions, did your work with the Americans go well? Did any political stereotypes interfere with mutual understanding?

- Never. Artic explorers - regardless of their country - are special people. They are prepared to risk their lives and labor scrupulously in different corners of the planet to obtain scientific results that would be valuable to the whole humanity. This is why the expeditions are always marked by the spirit of fraternity and understanding. Global climate problems can be resolved only with international cooperation of scientists from different countries. An example of one such cooperation project that exists already in the present day is the restoration of several exploration stations in the arctic region that is conducted by the Russian Polar Foundation in association with the National Science Foundation of the US. There are numerous other partnerships in the field of science between Russian and America.

I have visited the South Pole and its American station Amundsen-Scott many times. During an international inspection, which I headed, I visited many US stations. Everybody greeted our group well. In January 2002, I delivered the address of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to the international community of arctic explorers. In his address, the President remarked that the best traditions of US-Russia arctic partnership, fraternity, cooperation, and mutual-assistance are alive and well in the new XXI century.     

- You were one of the founders of Russia’s United Industrial Political Party and acted as its chairman for a rather long time. How do Russian businessmen look at the idea of economic partnerships with the United States?

- Yes. For several years, I was the chairman of Russia’s United Industrial Party. The party consisted of industrialists and entrepreneurs - both private and governmental - from various regions in Russia. The party was open to workers and labor unions too. The programs of our party included cooperation with business in the United States. Certainly Russian industries are very much interested in developing business connections with the US. One can find a number of potentially successful projects that would benefit both sides well. I am well acquainted with the attitudes of Russian businessmen in Moscow as well as in Russia’s northern regions (I worked there for many years and make frequently visits there). I can assure you, Russian businesses are now prepared to establish commercial ties with US partners. By the way, Russia’s United Industrial Party has not disappeared off the political arena. Currently, its leader is Elena Panina, a representative of the State Duma and a famous Moscow businesswoman.

- Could you name an example of a successful US-Russia partnership? What, in your opinion, slows down the development of economic relations of Russian and America?

- One of the most vivid examples that I see on regular basis is the work of the Russian-American joint enterprise “Poliarnoe Siyanie,” located in the Nienetz Autonomous Region, which I have been representing in the State Duma already for four terms. American oil corporation Conoco invested considerable funds into the development of that company. There are no regrets. The company brings good profit. My district uses the oil tax money to solve many social problems. I visited the company many times. It has fully modernized equipment and - most importantly - does not create environmental pollution. The ecologic damage to northern tundra is extremely difficult to repair. That may be one of the avenues for US-Russia cooperation. The US, to my knowledge, has developed a number of ecologically-clean technologies. Touching the issue of obstacles to Russian-American cooperation, I must say that the US Congress has not yet abrogated the Jackson-Vanik amendment that discriminates against Russia and prevents the creation of an optimally beneficial trade arrangement. The amendment was ratified in Socialist times. Now, we have a market economy, as well as a complete liberty of entrances and departures. Discrimination against Russia, for some reason, still persists.

- To what extent, in your view, is current political climate in Russia favorable to American investment?

- The situation is much better than ten - or even five - years ago. Stability is reached within Russia. The economy has been developing steadily for several years already. Business legislation improved significantly. Of course, there are more than a few difficulties and obstacles for foreign investors. Most of them are tied to the overly-bureaucratic decisions of executive agencies and the ineptitude of local government officers. …But other countries have that too. The Russian government - President Putin, personally - pays much attention to these shortcomings. The situation will improve.

- How do Russian and American parliaments (State Duma and US Congress) interact with each other.

- The interaction is an active one. We regularly exchange official delegations as well as groups of parliamentary committees. Tens of State Duma’s representatives visit the US annually for international seminars, conferences, and symposiums. The hearings of the Duma-Congress committee and its subcommittees are held regularly. The committee’s members are parliamentary representatives of Russia and the US. American congressmen, who come to Russia for various events, are rather frequent visitors to the State Duma. We always greet them well. Such an intensive parliamentary exchange helps strength the spirit of cooperation and trust between the Russian and the American side.

- What is your advice to American businessmen, who would like to work with Russia? 

- In Russia, it is said that risk is a noble deed. I’d like to encourage American businessmen not to fear risk. No serious business will be successful without risk. I say this as an organizer of numerous polar expeditions, where I faced countless risky situations. Certainly, the risk must be justified and calculated. I’ve already spoken of that, but feel compelled to restate it again - the situation in Russia is significantly better than several years ago. It is now possible to risk.