Russian senator suggests establishing Russian-US think-tank

Mikhail Margelov, who chairs the Federation Council's foreign affairs committee, and Richard Haas, president of the influential US council on foreign affairs, discussed the new world order and new foreign-policy approaches after the Iraqi war here the other day.

We have decided that the United States and Russia now find it highly important to discuss bilateral relations, as well as the evolution of international norms being applied during the solution of international problems in a changing modern world, Margelov told RIA Novosti September 22.

In what situation can one use force? What are the legal grounds for fighting terrorism? What is terrorism? How can one tackle regional problems? It's almost impossible to answer all these questions, without agreeing on basic philosophical approaches toward international politics, Margelov stressed. The problems are changing; and the same can be said about specific trouble-shooting methods, Margelov noted.

Those taking part in the conference at the council on foreign affairs comprehended the importance of setting up a Russian-US think-tank, which would adopt decisions for both countries' legislative and executive branches, Margelov said in conclusion.