The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a bill according to which the Secretary of State must decide whether Russia is a sponsor of terrorism or not. This was announced by the author of the bill, Republican Senator from Kolorodo Corey Gardner.
“Vladimir Putin makes no attempt to seriously harm international peace and stability, and I’m glad that today the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has supported my most important bill requiring the State Department to consider recognizing Russia as what it is - the state sponsoring terrorism,” - Gardner quotes his site.
The corresponding document is published on the website of the American Congress. The bill has two creators. Corey Gardner was co-authored by Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey.
According to the text of the document, the US Secretary of State, at the moment it is Mike Pompeo, must determine whether the Russian Federation is a state sponsor of terrorism, as well as whether “Russian-sponsored armed groups in Ukraine” are foreign terrorist organizations. We are talking about the self-proclaimed Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics.
- © Igor Maslov / RIA News
The Secretary of State will have to announce his decision within 90 days after the entry into force of this bill.
“Not later than 90 days after the entry into force of this law, the Secretary of State must submit to the relevant congressional committees a conclusion on whether the Russian Federation meets the criteria for being recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism. The conclusion must be presented in a non-classified form, but if necessary, may have a classified application, ”the text of the document says.
The list of sponsoring states of terrorism was launched in 1979. Currently, it appears in Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. In different historical periods, the United States declared Cuba, Iraq, Libya, and South Yemen to be the sponsors of terrorism.
The status of “sponsor of terrorism” implies a wide range of economic and political sanctions. For example, a ban on the purchase and sale of weapons is introduced, and to trade dual-use items with this country, you need to notify Congress in 30 days.
US authorities are prohibited from providing such a state with economic assistance and are required to speak out in international organizations against granting him any loans. Any US citizen can be banned from financial transactions with such a country.
Other measures are envisaged, for example, on restrictions on the entry of representatives of the state sponsor of terrorism in the United States.
The myth of the “Russian threat” used to allow the United States to consolidate NATO, but now Washington is faced with the need to update it, political analyst Alexander Asafov explained the reasons for the bill.
“The myth created about bad Russia as the main threat made it possible to build rhetoric of mobilization and unification within the NATO bloc. And it worked well. But it is obvious that this trend is losing relevance and attractiveness for the layman and, importantly, for the US allies. Forcing them to pay money, to participate in joint affairs is already very difficult. Russian history needs to be updated, ”Asafov told RT.
“Containment implies increased pressure”
It is worth noting that Russia and the United States cooperate in the fight against terrorism. So, during a recent visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the United States, he held talks with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Both sides then noted that, despite a number of disagreements, Moscow and Washington are developing cooperation in the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.
- © Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
“By the way, both our and the American delegation are interdepartmental in nature - there are diplomats, the military, and services that have direct responsibilities to combat the terrorist threat. This is a very useful mechanism that allows a comprehensive approach to the unification of our efforts in this topical sphere, ”Lavrov said.
At the same time, it is worth noting that Corey Gardner regularly participates in anti-Russian initiatives. So, he is listed as a co-author in bills on sanctions against gas pipelines from Russia, on countering cyber threats allegedly emanating from Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and Pyongyang, as well as on "protecting American security from Kremlin aggression." Similar views are shared by Robert Menendez.
The US leadership cannot influence the congress, which adheres to anti-Russian views, stated Vladimir Bruter, an expert at the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Studies.
“Trump can not participate in this and can not forbid them to do it. It is also worth noting that the mood of the American political elite has not changed from Lavrov’s visit. She has long believed and will continue to believe that Russia should be restrained, ”he said in a conversation with RT. - Containment involves increased pressure and, accordingly, it will increase. This is one of the scenarios that matches the position of the American political elite. ”