RUSSIA: MOSCOW: KOZYREV SPEAKS OUT FOR FIRST TIME

(23 Feb 1996) English/Nat
For the first time since his resignation in January, former Russian Foreign Secretary Andrei Kozyrev, has been speaking publicly about the reasons for his sudden departure from government. Speaking exclusively to APTV Mr Kozyrev warned that Russia must continue to make positive overtures towards the West.
For six years Kozyrev inched Russia forward from the hostilities of the Cold War to a new spirit of co-operation.
But finally, criticism from the Kremlin forced him out. He's now a deputy in the Russian parliament.
A stone's throw from the Kremlin and a five-minute drive from his former headquarters at the Russian Foreign Ministry, Andrei Kozyrev is now further from the reins of power than he has been for six years.
Now working as a member of Russia's parliament, Kozyrev was eased out of office by President Boris Yeltsin following the communist victory at December's elections. The longest survivor from Yeltsin's original reform team had finally met his downfall.
Kozyrev, however, traces the roots of his fall from grace much further.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
Disputes or differences of opinion started earlier. About one year that I had some difficulties in defending my views on several issues. But probably the communist victory did contribute to the arguments of the "other side", so to say.
SUPER CAPTION: Andrei Kozyrev, former Russian Foreign Minister
Rumours have long circulated that President Yeltsin is surrounded by so-called "grey cardinals", Kremlin policy advisors who effectively overrule government ministers.
Kozyrev made no accusations. But like many other former close Yeltsin colleagues, he spoke of an experience common to all of them.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
In that group there was a diversions of views on certain issues and I was more and more isolated. And the President seemed to take decisions in favour of the other participants.
SUPER CAPTION: Andrei Kozyrev, former Russian Foreign Minister
Kozyrev was replaced by Yevgeny Primakov, Russia's former spy master and a favorite of the hard-liners who see him as restoring what they feel is Russia's lost status as a world power.
Primakov's true intentions remain unclear. His rhetoric, however, has been unmistakable.
The deal to send Russian troops to the former Yugoslavia was meant to paper over cracks between Russia and the NATO alliance. Primakov has since declared his opposition to NATO expansion into ex-Warsaw Pact countries.
He has also promised to boost flagging Russian arm sales to the Middle East and Asia and strengthen relations with China.
Kozyrev makes no apologies for the policies that eventually brought his downfall. He is convinced that presenting a stoney face to the west while making a thrust eastwards is a policy that fail Russia.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
I am sure that sooner or later - better sooner because the damage will be less - Russia should come back on track of active foreign policy. Not reserved not regional but active global foreign policy of partnership.
SUPER CAPTION: Andrei Kozyrev, former Russian Foreign Minister
Speaking about Yeltsin, Kozyrev remains hopeful. Running for reelection in June, Yeltsin is floundering at fourth or fifth place in the opinion polls. Many predict that Yeltsin will opt for populist policies in the run up to the election to "buy off" opposition supporters.
Kozyrev, however, is calling for Yeltsin to be true to his original role - the figurehead of democratic and market reforms.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Andrei Kozyrev, former Russian Foreign Minister
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