Russia envoy to play by old rules

By WALTER MENYA wmenya@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, June 11 2011 at 17:54

There may be a new person at the helm at the embassy of the Russian Federation in Nairobi, but this so far appears to signal no change in Moscow’s policy towards Kenya and the rest of Africa.

While envoys from the European Union and the United States have acquired a reputation for outspokenness when dealing with the Kenyan government, new Russian ambassador Alexander Makarenko, 61, says he will carry on with the classic diplomatic method of conducting business within the established rules of protocol.

Mr Makarenko says he would pursue a policy of non-interference in the internal matters of his host country.

More importantly, his priority will be to initiate measures to increase trade, education and cultural ties between Kenya and Russia.

According to President Medvedev’s representative in Nairobi, Moscow’s is a quiet but effective diplomacy with tangible outcomes.

Trade between Kenya and Russia now stands at about $200 million (Sh17 billion) with several development plans in the cards.

Russian Railways Company and the Rift Valley Railways are discussing the possibility of cooperation. There are also plans for a Russian firm to establish a truck assembly plant here.

“The typical picture of a diplomat or ambassador is that of a quiet man working in direct contact with the government of his host country and people of that country.

“This is not a show business character. He is not the type of man who works for publicity or creates an image for himself as a fighter for this or that cause,” the envoy told the Sunday Nation in an interview.

Ambassadors, he added, are personal representatives of their heads of state and at the same time are civil servants.

“You understand the nature of civil service requires such qualities as meticulousness, perhaps the capacity to work quietly and with utmost respect for traditions of host country and its political peculiarities among others,” Mr Makarenko said.

To this end, the envoy asserted that his government’s position not to interfere in internal affairs of sovereign states stands.

“This is classic diplomacy not to demand ambassadors to make pronouncements on matters which concern the people of the host country”.

Clashed with State

Past US envoys, including the late Smith Hempstone and immediate former ambassador Michael Ranneberger, were so outspoken that they often clashed with government, and some MPs even called for their expulsion.

In the case of Mr Ranneberger, he was the subject of a parliamentary motion as MPs sought to force the government to expel him.

He also has a pending court case in which Kilome MP Harun Mwau has sued him.

Former EU head of delegation Eric van der Linden did not take chances, criticising the government and calling for reforms.

Representing the United Kingdom, Sir Edward Clay was at one time a thorn in the flesh of President Kibaki’s government.

Their methods of conducting diplomacy and Russia’s are as far apart as East and West.

“If we look at the diplomacy of the Russian Federation, it is a rule for us not to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign countries.

“Of course we have an opinion about what is going on, but it would be very unusual for a Russian ambassador to make public pronouncements on what he thinks on the policies of particular governments.

“If we are asked by your government for our opinion, we can give it, but otherwise we never do it. This is a rule,” Mr Makarenko said.

Even concerning implementation of the Constitution and preparations for the next General Election, he said Russia cannot take any steps to address the issues unless the Kenya Government asks them for help.

“Of course we are interested very much as a partner of Kenya to see that the situation is stable and there is peace, there is no violence; that the political parties respect the rules of the game and there is respect for the Constitution.”

“If we are in a position to help your government and people to ensure all these, we shall do it, but we have to be asked or approached so that our assistance is not regarded as interference. This is extremely important.”

In other words, the Russian envoy asserted, there is nothing they can do unless the government approaches them for their opinion or assistance. Publicity is not a priority, and the diplomatic channels available to them suffice.

In April, Moscow donated $1 million (Sh85 million) for drought victims in Kenya through the World Food Programme.

The contribution was communicated in a simple note verbale to the ministry of Foreign Affairs with little fanfare.

But there is one issue on which Russia will not wait for the alarm to be sounded before they respond: piracy in the Indian Ocean.

In fact, Mr Makarenko called on the international community to increase their efforts to resolve the crisis in Somalia where he says piracy has its roots.

In cooperation with a coalition of navies from the US, the EU, India and China, Russia has navy vessels in the Indian Ocean that are providing security for humanitarian convoys and cargo ships taking supplies to Somalia or sailing along the Somali coast.

“I am afraid this problem cannot be solved in isolation. The international community should continue its efforts to help Somalia find the formula for political settlement which will include all those who are ready for genuine national reconciliation, national unity and stopping the war.

“The roots of piracy are in Somalia — it is the lack of security, lack of government control, influx of arms, illegal trade in narcotics, activities of extremists and terrorist organisations that fuel it,” Mr Makarenko said.