Parliamentary committee suggests programme for cooperation with Russia

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The Parliamentary Committee for the Future proposes that the new government appointed after this March's parliamentary election should set up a specific programme to broaden and improve Finland's cooperation with Russia.
      It would be a political programme similar to those set up by the sitting government involving information society matters and the right to exercise one's civic influence.
      The committee feels that the next Prime Minister should take up the task of leading the Russia programme. "This would result in an improved Russian policy with a more methodical approach and clear leadership", the committee chairman Jyrki Katainen (National Coalition Party) argued on Thursday.
     
The committee led by Katainen would like to improve the Finns' general knowledge about Russia and their knowledge of the Russian language, to increase student exchange volumes and business contacts, and to set up, among other things, a joint innovation university. This institute of higher learning would operate in St. Petersburg in Russia, and for instance in the cities of Espoo and Lappeenranta in Finland.
      In order to facilitate the Finnish students' opportunities to study in Russia, Finland should construct a dormitory either in St. Petersburg or Moscow.
     
These proposals are included in a report commissioned by the committee entitled Russia 2017: Three Scenarios. The report was presented in a parliamentary seminar.
      The setting up of a specific Russia programme received wide support from parties across the political spectrum. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paula Lehtomäki (Centre) nevertheless expressed certain reservations towards the recent Russia discussions. Earlier, the setting up of an office of a specific Russia Minster has already been suggested.
      Lehtomäki was of the opinion that one should first look into the possible faults in the present system, and only then decide how to fix them.
      Lehtomäki did not object to the building of a Finnish hall of residence, however. For six months she had lived in a Russian dormitory. "It had cockroaches", she said.
     
The committee's report compiled by experts describes three alternative scenarios for Russia's future.
      According to the first one, by the year 2017, Russia will have become a global influence with its energy expertise. Large energy corporations play an important role in this scenario. Transition from a controlled democracy to more normal democratic practices takes place.
      The second scenario is the most positive one: The prosperous middle class leads a tolerant society with a multi-party system. Russia negotiates on EU membership.
     
The third and most alarming scenario presents a Russia kept in line out of fear of a leading elite backed by the secret police, the army, and large corporations. The opposition is nowhere to be seen, use of the Internet is monitored, and the majority of the people live on or close to the bread-line.
      The Russian representatives taking part in the seminar, the vice-chairman of the Russian Duma Igor Morozov, who represents the opposition, and the ruling party MP Andrei Strelnikov, both said firmly that they wanted the second alternative to materialise.
      Strelnikov was of the opinion that Vladimir Putin was the best man to lead the country towards it. Putin, however, has said that he would give up the presidency in 2008.
      Neither of the Russian guests wanted to speculate who Putin's successor might be.
      Morozov reckoned that after his presidency Putin might become a leader of one of the political parties.


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