Nippo-Russian relations

In 2004 Japan continued to strive for the conclusion of a peace treaty with Russia through the resolution of the issue of where the Four Northern Islands belong, thereby realizing full normalization of relations with Russia. In particular, under the basic policy of moving peace treaty negotiations forward while advancing Japan-Russia cooperation in a wide range of fields and building trustful relations through the steady realization of the Japan-Russia Action Plan adopted on the occasion of the visit to Russia by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in 2003, Japan-Russia cooperation in a wide range of fields, such as cooperation in the energy sector, cooperation in the international arena including the Korean Peninsula issue, and cooperation for denuclearization, was advanced.

Japan continued to implement its assistance for Russia and for the residents of the Four Northern Islands, under a new framework after taking measures to increase transparency and further ensure fairness.

Exchanges between Japan and Russia in the fields of defense as well as culture and public relations further developed in 2004.

Ex.5 Summarize the text in writing using the following words and expressions:

1. strategic partnership

2. expanded economic cooperation

3. advanced weapons

4. power generation facilities

5. to be imbued with importance

6. to drift into a close relationship

7. to activate the dialogue

8. strategic rear

9. demographic pressure

10. tenuous nature of ties

11. entente

What is Behind the Sino-Russian Entente?

Russian overtures toward China have been among the most publicized of Russia’s new foreign policy initiatives. Employing the rhetoric of “strategic partnership” and “antihegemonism,” Russia and China have resolved long-standing territorial disputes, agreed to expanded economic cooperation on advanced weapons and power generation facilities, and cooperated on a number of international issues including the crisis in Iraq and NATO expansion.

Moscow has capitalized on Chinese concerns about Western influence, especially over human rights, concerns that both nations share. Moscow, motivated by its own domestic unrest in Chechnya, has been a vocal defender of Beijing’s free hand in Tibet. Russia has skillfully played on Chinese fears about U.S. efforts to strengthen and expand the scope of the security relationship with Japan and Partnership for Peace (PfP) initiatives in Central Asia, prompting China to denounce NATO expansion.

China’s location is also imbued with importance for Russian grand strategy. After all, Northeast Asia nearly equals Europe in strategic importance. Now, NATO expansion has raised the stakes, requiring a newfound Russian commitment to Asia. Pavel Grachev predicted that “if NATO goes East, we will go East too.” Statements confirm this new orientation. The Partnership for Peace comprises only one of Russia’s strategic interests, for its relations with China are no less important to Russia than those with the West.

Keeping China from drifting into a close relationship with the West is vital to Russian security. To Russia the regional security of Northeast Asia is no less important than that in the Western direction, and it is necessary to activate the dialogue on this matter with China, with Japan, with the USA and with the two Koreas.

Because China constitutes the Russian “strategic rear,” Moscow prefers to deal with Beijing on pleasant terms. Moscow accepts the very real long-term threat posed by China, especially demographic pressures the growing Chinese population places on the Russian Far East.

Russia recognizes the tenuous nature of ties to China. It is no secret that China’s economic development depends on Western trade and investment. This dependence threatens the long-term sustainability of any Sino-Russian entente.

Ex.6 Translate the text into Russian:

The proliferation challenge:

regional capabilities, intentions, and trends –

North Korea

North Korea has significantly advanced its nuclear, chemical, and ballistic missile programs during the last 10 years. While agreeing to freeze activity and eventually eliminate its existing plutonium production nuclear reactors and associated facilities, North Korea maintains chemical warfare and ballistic missile capabilities.

For many decades Pyongyang has mounted an all-out effort to build and strengthen its military. As a result, it has one of the five largest armed forces in the world – over one million active duty personnel. Over the years, Pyongyang has worked to improve its capability to launch a surprise attack against South Korea.

Despite its isolation, North Korea uses several methods to acquire technology related to nuclear, biological, or chemical warfare and missiles. North Korean intelligence organizations are involved in clandestine operations to acquire technology, equipment, and scientific and technical information to aid the full spectrum of North Korea's conventional and NBC weapons programs.

North Korea has provided hundreds of SCUD missiles to countries in the Middle East, such as Iran and Syria, and is developing and marketing the new 1,000 kilometer-range NODONG missile. These sales provide Pyongyang with critically needed foreign exchange. North Korea has received millions of dollars worth of bartered goods and services and hard currency for its deliveries, and it will continue to market missiles and missile-related technology to support its weak economy. Although North Korea is an active supplier of missiles and related production technology, it has not yet become a supplier of nuclear, chemical, or biological warfare-related technology.

Ex.7 Match the phrases in English from column A with Russian equivalents in column B:

1. to be in jeopardy

2. power broker

3. first and foremost

4. flood of refugees

5. reduce the leverage

6. tremendous boon

1. наплыв беженцев

2. большое благо

3. «серый кардинал»

4. быть в опасности

5. прежде всего

6. сокращать силу