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Albright touts Russian prime minister's role
January 26, 1997
Web posted at: 2:01 p.m. EST (1901 GMT)WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright emphasized the importance of Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin in U.S.-Russian relations, signaling Sunday that the United States' relationship with Russia was based on more than what happens to ailing President Boris Yeltsin.
Albright referred to "the Yeltsin-Chernomyrdin government" while a guest on NBC's "Meet the Press" and again later when answering a reporter's question about Yeltsin's health.
"We clearly want to wish President Yeltsin a full and speedy recovery and will continue to respect him as the democratically elected president of Russia, but it is the Yeltsin-Chernomyrdin government that goes on, and we have dealings with them," Albright told reporters.
Albright said meetings next month between Vice President Gore and Chernomyrdin were "going to be very important."
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"We're getting ready for the Gore-Chernomyrdin meeting here in early February, and it is important to us that the government of the Russian Federation continue on the track of pursuing democratic principles and a market economy," she said.
On "Meet the Press," Albright said that what happens with Yeltsin is not all that determines the U.S. relationship with Russia.
"It's important that people understand that our relationships with Russia are based on where they are going, other people in the government and the possibility that we will be able to work better and better together," she said.
Albright said plans for a March summit in the United States between Yeltsin and President Clinton were still on track, although many decisions have not been made.
Albright would not comment on internal political threats to Yeltsin, saying only that the country needs to continue moving toward market reforms in a democratic manner.
The newly appointed secretary of state also said that NATO expansion into formerly Soviet bloc countries was intended to create stability and was not anti-Russian. Russia has opposed such expansion, but it is supported by the United States.
"There is a mutual understanding that we have to work this out and that U.S.-Russian relations are very important to both countries," Albright said.
Related stories:
- Albright nominated as secretary of state - December 5, 1996
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