UN's reform to help Russia become recognizable world leader

Russia's foreign political activities are likely to gain a whole bouquet of advantages from Kofi Annan's suggestion

Diplomats and scientists of politics are still discussing the report from the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan regarding the reform of the United Nations Organization. One thing is known for sure: Anna's suggestions, as well as all other attempts to reform the organization, have very few chances to survive because of the resistance on the part of constant members of the UN Security Council. However, Russia could support Annan's project on almost every paragraph as one of those selected members. Russia has nothing to lose at this point, but it would definitely have a lot to gain – the international authority, first and foremost.

Kofi Annan put forward five basic directions to the reform the UN: the reform of the Security Council, the use of military methods for settling international problems only at UN's approval, the common definition of terrorism, the reform of the UN's human rights protection structure and the increase of targeted help to struggle against global poverty.

Russia's foreign political activities are likely to gain a whole bouquet of advantages on all of those directions. The situation will be more than just favorable for Russia, if it supports Kofi Annan's ideas and becomes the head of the group of reformers to change its strategic interests during the reforming process.

As far as the Security Council is concerned, no one is going to oust constant members from it, or deprive them of the veto right. Potential new members, Germany and India, for example, are Russia's allies. The Russian administration is conducting active cooperation with Brazil, which is currently trying to question USA's dictation in the Western hemisphere. The support of Brazil would only return a new friend for Russia against such a background. It is also possible to improve relations with Egypt, which used to be at very friendly terms with the USSR. Furthermore, Egypt is claiming to represent Africa in the extended Security Council.

Russia would also take advantage from the approval of the definition of terrorism. Once the international society finds appropriate words to designate the phenomenon, the anti-terrorist cooperation between the countries will be intensified. Needless to mention that Russia would be more than happy to realize that terrorists are finally referred to as terrorists, not insurgents, rebels, or fighters for freedom.

Speaking of the initiative not to allow the single-handed use of military methods for settling conflicts with the peacemaking perspective, it becomes obvious that the initiative is aimed to restrict the self-will of the USA. If Russia supports this part of Kofi Annan's project, it might considerably improve its authority in the world, for the White House's wish to make the whole world dance to its tune seemingly confuses even staunchest American allies.

According to Annan, world's richest countries are to assign 0.7 percent of their GDP to poorest states for developing purposes. Russia will not be included in the category of richest countries in the near future, despite its real economic achievements of recent times. Russia might, therefore, obtain more popularity among third world countries.

When the Committee for Human Rights was founded in the UN, it became one of the organization's departments, in which the USSR was always present. Now, however, it is obvious that Russia's geopolitical interests differ a lot from the ones of East Europe. If Russia supports Annan's suggestion to dissolve the committee and create a more influential agency based on new principles, it will grasp a good chance to take a significant place in the new structure.

One may say that the makers of the Russian foreign policy need to take a firmer stance regarding Kofi Annan's suggestions of the UN reform. It goes without saying that three of the five constant members of the UN Security Council – China, the USA and Great Britain – are going to turn them down.