By Aleksei Tarasov

Dr. Gerard J. Janco is the founder and president of the Eurasia Center.  Dr. Janco has been a leading force in creating new analytical approaches to understanding recent developments occurring within 21st century Eurasia. His approach is to access, then understand, the dynamic interrelationships between European and Asian nations after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Dr. Janco’s models include the economic and military ties compelling European integration, disintegration of the socialist state, and the reemergence of Eastern Europe and Central Asia nations.  

– Dr. Janco, you have received your master’s degree in National Security Studies from George Washington University. Your doctorate is from the Graduate Institute of International Affairs at the University of Geneva. Are there any differences in the approaches to comprehending issues of international development that set apart American educational establishments from European schools?

– I would say that the real difference is in the availability of education itself. There are more schools in the U.S. Students in America have greater sponsorship opportunities. Technological advantages are also noticeable. Only a select group of individuals can enjoy the privilege of going to college in many other countries.

– The Eurasia Center was formed in 1988, when the world was anticipating the fall of the Iron Curtain in Eastern Europe. At that time, much attention on the part of American policy-makers was accorded to that part of the globe. Closer to the second half of the 1990s, the situation changed, and many programs created for working with Russia and the former Soviet Union lost support. How did you manage to reorient your approach to stay always in touch with the reality of the Eurasian continent and the interest it presented for the United States?

– Of course, we started with Soviet-American relations. We were the first organization in the U.S. to begin working with the entire continent of Eurasia in 1991.

Throughout the 1990s, there was great emphasis on promoting relations with that region and Russia specifically. Today, funds have been shifted to Iraq.

The model that we follow is unique. We are an association of specialists. The Eurasia Center relies on grant support to conduct international programs. We provide company-specific services to commercial entities.

Additionally, we are involved in the organization of the World Russia Forum.

– Could you describe your specific areas of concentration that you are pursuing today?

– We presently have nine new programs that focus on international security, humanitarian efforts, businesses, women’s studies, successful international relations, as well as arts and culture.

We also have the Eurasia Business Coalition. Some of the major corporations that are working with us actively are Coca-Cola and United Technologies. We are working jointly with several other entities to conduct the World Russia Forum in May that focuses on political, economic, and cultural issues. In the fall, in November, we will have another event that will concentrate more on business, private finance, hi-tech industries, mergers, and bilateral agencies.

– What forms of tangible assistance are you able to offer to American businesses planning to go to Eurasia and vice versa?

– We can help companies in a variety of ways, from opening an office, to traveling, and to procuring financing.

The Eurasia Business Coalition can arrange exports and imports between the U.S. and any country in Eurasia. We will find the best shipping routes and handle all necessary documentation. Our local partners throughout the region will find the most reliable and economical options for any import and export needs.

Second, we can help with representation. The Eurasia Business Coalition maintains offices in Washington, D.C. and throughout the countries of Eurasia. If a Eurasian business seeking representation at U.S. government agencies and multilateral agencies located in the U.S. or a U.S. business looking for representatives abroad comes to us for assistance, we definitely can help.

We also can be useful in the area of market analysis. Our economics and business teams work closely together to analyze markets and market opportunities in the countries of Eurasia. We can provide any company with an objective assessment of market conditions and trends and the specific market for goods and services.

The Eurasia Business Coalition counts as its members companies from nearly every sector and country in Eurasia and the U.S. Our extensive network is at the disposal of our members when they have needs for arranging conferences – both in getting top speakers and panelists, as well as in attracting the proper audience.

– What about your work with the World Bank?

– The World Bank currently lends USD 20-25 billion to developing countries annually. Each loan represents enormous business opportunities for suppliers and consultants. The Eurasia Business Coalition is able to assess the World Bank market and guide a company on an effective marketing strategy to win a piece of this USD 25 billion marketplace.

– What sustains the current geopolitical balance in Eurasia? George Tenet told me once that the two countries presenting the most interest for the U.S. in the region are China and India. Russia is no longer as relevant.

– Russia today buys 8% of its imports from the U.S. We actually were suffering from the weakness of the Russian economy in the 1990s. Russia is important even in strategic terms, as the emergence of some fundamentalist movements is at least partially due to the feebleness of Russia during that decade. Russia provides stability for the entire region. The Russian currency is accepted and recognized in a number of countries. The Russian language is a common medium of communication for many peoples. There is also the issue of migration.   

There is a misperception of Russia. Some groups in this country have underestimated Russia’s potential. The Russian population has a very high level of education. Russian technology is advanced.

For apparent reasons, Russia has been working more with Europe. The factors have to do with geographic proximity. In some countries of Eastern Europe, a large percentage of people speak Russian. There are greater cultural similarities. Also, an open political dialogue exists. 

– In the case of Russia, the mechanisms for trading with the United States have largely not been institutionalized. When an American company enters the Russian market it usually counts only on its own resources. There is no great government support. Would you consider this a hindrance?

– BISNIS was previously an avenue for small and medium businesses to work with Russia and the other newly-independent states. Unfortunately, last year, that government program was phased out. The Eurasia Coalition put a proposal before the Commerce Department to revitalize BISNIS. We hope to provide linkages to companies and other business information.

– The Russian economy has been on the rise in the recent years. Simultaneously, a number of economists in Russia are sounding alarms, noting that manufacturing in the country is at a standstill. How would you assess the attempts of the Russian government to diversify the economy?

– Russia knows what it needs to do – increase investments and improve the infrastructure. Russia has great human capital to succeed. The country has a huge skill set in the technological field.

At the same time, while it is possible to have the best factory, there must be a number of other things for it to work effectively. There must be transportation routes for deliveries, housing for workers, healthcare, and education.

One additional important concern is the oversight of federal programs.  

– In your recent article titled Avoiding a new Cold War, you mention the importance of the human factor in making sure that the world does not again come to a global nuclear standoff. According to your analysis, it is important to know who will be in command of our two countries...

– Famous author Michael Dobbs in his book about the Cuban Missile Crisis emphasized that the real fear of igniting a nuclear war was not between Nikita Khrushchev and John Kennedy. Who could set off a nuclear exchange were the subordinates, the commanders in the military. I would say that friendship of the leaders is very important. Mass media is also crucial.

– Russia is a major industrial nation. Its participation in addressing the global climate change is significant. Unlike the U.S., Russia accepted the Kyoto Protocol. At the same time, the environmental woes in Russia are great, greater than in the U.S. How can our two nations work together here?

– There were many initiatives in the 1990s, but the government at that time only supported environmental activists. There have been some attempts to create programs for studying the issues at universities on a more advanced level. There are still many opportunities for cooperation.

– Russia and the U.S. have great historic ties that extend far beyond the October Revolution. Some historians say that it is quite possible that the American Constitution was written with Russian quills. Russia was a major importer of quills to the U.S. at that time. How can the legacy of our cooperation help us move towards harmony tomorrow?

– Russia and the U.S. have historically been allies. Certainly, the Cold War and the development of nuclear weapons “suspended” our collaboration for quite some time. Today, however, there is no longer any need to encircle Russia.

With President Clinton and Boris Yeltsin, our interests have moved into the area of economic affairs. Sadly, some opportunities for cooperation went way after September 11. Understandably, initiatives to set up missile bases cannot be unilateral.

Altogether, I think that Russia and the U.S. have excellent opportunities to work in partnership with one another.