Elbe Group Seeks to Keep U.S.-Russia Communications Open

At a time when the crisis in Ukraine and Crimea is closing down communication between the American and Russia governments, a senior group of American and Russian former military and intelligence officers met quietly in Morocco to ask each other whether there remain any areas where the two nations should continue joint efforts.  Their answer, given in a joint statement released at the end of their three day meeting in March, is yes.

The Elbe Group, organized by the Belfer Center at Harvard Kennedy School, has been meeting since 2010 to discuss strategic issues of mutual concern. The group of retired US and Russian officers has issued joint statements and reports with policy recommendations on a variety of issues such as preventing nuclear terrorism, missile defense, strategic stability, Islamic extremism, and others.

During the group’s meeting in Morocco, the crisis in Crimea and Ukraine hung over every discussion, and disagreements over that issue were profound.  While it is understandable that a general break in relations is unavoidable, this break should be structured in a way that does not indefinitely interrupt joint actions on sensitive problems like Syrian WMD elimination or Iranian nuclear discussions.  The message that the Elbe Group statement conveys is that, despite major differences, and maybe because of them, we cannot afford to break relations and the world cannot afford to have us not talking to each other.

Elbe Group Joint Statement

21 March 2014

Introduction

The current crisis connected with the situation in Ukraine and Crimea should not interrupt the joint efforts of the United States and the Russian Federation to protect our shared strategic interests.  Combating terrorism and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction remain vital to the security of our two countries and our partners and allies.  The Elbe Group recommends that both governments continue to work jointly in the following areas, despite disagreements in other areas.

Combating Nuclear Terrorism and Nonproliferation.

We believe it is in the interest of the US and Russia that current problems in the bilateral relationship not contribute to vulnerability in global nuclear security.  The joint efforts of both countries are required to prevent terrorist groups from acquiring nuclear or other radiological materials.

Syria.

We believe it is in the interest of the US and Russia that the withdrawal and elimination of weapons of mass destruction in Syria not be interrupted and that the conflict there be settled in a peaceful way.

Afghanistan.

We believe it is in the interest of the US and Russia that, as US and coalition forces draw down in Afghanistan, a mechanism is developed and sustained to prevent the reemergence of violent Islamic extremists and terrorists groups which can threaten the people of Afghanistan or the neighboring states.

Islamic Extremism.

We believe it is in the interest of the US and Russia to continue to work jointly with our partners and allies to combat violent Islamic extremism.

Ukraine.

We are concerned about the possible negative consequences from the crisis in Ukraine.  It is in the interest of our countries that the situation in Ukraine be normalized.  The actions of all parties, internal and external, should not further complicate the situation

The differences between the United States and the Russian Federation over the situation in Ukraine and Crimea affect all aspects of the bilateral relationship.  Failure to overcome this obstacle can lead to a vacuum in the efforts to provide long term security for our nations.

Therefore, issues of cooperation between the US and Russia in the sphere of security dictate a need to search for ways to lower mutual confrontation in the interests of our countries and the international community.

The Elbe Group believes that the existing channels of dialogue should not be interrupted but expanded and developed.