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THE
RUSSO-BRITISH RIVALRY IN CENTRAL ASIA |
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Ertan
EFEGİL |
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After disintegration of former Soviet Union, President Boris Yeltsin and Foreign Minister Andrey Kozyrev pursued pro-Western policies. They concerned that when Russia becomes a part of the Western world, it can solve its domestic economic and social problems and make valuable contribution to the formation of new world order. Therefore they in that period disregarded the developments in Central Asia. But as a result of unsuccessful Economic Shock Theraphy program, Eurasians became more powerful group in the Russian Parliament. Under the suppression of the Eurasians, the Russian Federation changed its policy toward Central Asia. From 1993 to 1997 it tried to re-establish its control over the region. As a reaction to the New American Central Asia policy, it took tough measures against the American initiatives regarding Central Asia since 1997. Despite its attempts, it is highly possible that Russia cannot establish its control over the region again, because of its financial weakness, reluctance of the Central Asian states to the Russian hegemony and Russia’s need for Western technology. |
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