Russian Elections

BBC: What is the U.S. administration verdict on the way in which the Russian election was conducted?

Deputy Assistant Secretary Kramer: We certainly took note of the fact according to preliminary results that the United Russia party led by President Putin has indeed the majority of the seats for the new Duma. But we also have taken note of the concerns and allegations raised about election day violations. We have urged Russian authorities to look into and investigate these reports thoroughly and to take them seriously.

BBC: How seriously do you take them? Are they sufficiently serious to cast the result in doubt?

Deputy Assistant Secretary Kramer: The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly and the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly as well both said they thought the elections were not fair and "failed to meet many of OSCE's Council of Europe's Standards of Democratic Elections," and I'm quoting from that last part. Frankly, we don't see reason to dispute that assessment.

We had serious concerns about the campaign leading up to election day including the abuse of administrative resources in support of United Russia; the heavy tilt toward United Russia; of the media, most state-owned, Kremlin-friendly media; intimidation of the political opposition, breaking up of opposition rallies and demonstrations; as well as the deep difficulty opposition figures had, both individuals and parties, in registering and conducting their campaigns. There was also the problem, of course, where the OSCE, Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe's democratic wing, ODIHR as it's called, was not able to conduct an observation mission because of the restrictions Russia imposed. So that too, was an unfortunate development.

BBC: So has the administration made its concerns known directly then to the Kremlin?

Deputy Assistant Secretary Kramer: Yes. Well, certainly we have made known our concerns to Russian officials. Our Ambassador on the ground has been very active in conveying our concerns. The White House on Sunday made comments to this effect and there were additional comments today. So I think our concerns are very well known and have been out there.

We have also been making our concerns known well in advance of Sunday's election where we have conveyed to our Russian colleagues the concerns we had with the heavy tilt toward United Russia. So the fact that we would have concerns now after election day would not be anything surprising.

BBC: The reality, though, surely, is that you need to have a relationship with Moscow. That relationship will continue whether or not there are fair elections.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Kramer: The relationship will be affected by the kinds of developments on election day.

BBC: [Inaudible]?

Deputy Assistant Secretary Kramer: Well, because the trust that develops between two countries is best when we see countries moving in the same direction, in a democratic path. But as you rightly point out, there are many issues in which we will continue to work with our Russian colleagues on. Those include non-proliferation matters, counter-terrorism, trying to promote peace in the Middle East, working together on Iran. There are also a number of challenges in the relationship beyond simply the concerns we have in the internal development of Russia. We have our differences, certainly, over Kosovo. There are concerns on other issues too, including sometimes policy toward Russia's neighbors.

BBC: You say you think the way in which the election was conducted will have an affect on the relationship, but I wondered if you could tell me what way. For example, it might affect the relationship.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Kramer: What we want to see is for Russia to become a strong, democratic, market oriented country, fully integrated into the international community. And what we also want to see is part of that process is the holding of free and fair elections.

Now there is another round of elections due to be held in Russia in March, those will be for the presidency. Our hope is that Russia will take seriously the concerns not only we have registered but also many European countries have. Many Russian politicians have. And activist and political figures in Russia have also raised concerns. So there's an opportunity to try to investigate the concerns that have been raised about the election just held, but also to try to correct some of the problems ahead of the March presidential election.

BBC: David Kramer, thank you so much for your time. We really do appreciate it. It's good to talk to you.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Kramer: I'm happy to do it. Thanks.