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Colonel General Leonty Shevtsov of IFOR feels that NATO's expansion must be stopped and Russian and NATO military officials can work within the framework of the Partnership for Peace program. He believes that operations in Bosnia succeeded because the Dayton accord formed a political base for the military operation and the UN Security Council gave it the right to use force. He feels that the Bosnia-Herzegovina operations taught Russian military officials about what should have been done in Chechnya. Problems regarding refugees, troops withdrawal, and releasing of prisoners in Bosnia are discussed.

A lack of common concerns is likely to prevent any constructive dialogue aimed at fighting terrorism at the 20-nation Cairo peace summit in 1996. Ideological terrorism has been replaced by radical fundamentalisms of different a kind in the post- Cold War era, but opinions of the superpowers differ on the causes and sources of international terrorism. The West sees Iran and Libya as the real threat while the radical Arabs despise the US and Israel. The Russian soft-pedalling on Iran is a matter of concern to the US.

Croatia has decided to let the Muslims stay in the new state and this will help improve the country's war situation. Among other problems of the country, the acute one is the crisis between Belgrade and Zagreb. The government cannot ignore the rising power of the militant and ethnic groups. Experts feel that in this situation Russia is the only superpower that can help control the region.

Leaders from the EC and NATO and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe met in Dec 1994 to work out ways of building a stable and cohesive Europe with a common single currency. However, there seems little chance of Europe evolving into a single cohesive entity as increasing number of member countries seek entry to the new councils and unions. Germany would like the Deutsche Mark to be the single standard currency in the European Union while the UK and Italy are against such a proposal. France and Russia have conflicting foreign polices that do not adequately reflect the state of their respective economics.

The G-7 meeting in Naples in 1993 differed from the previous meetings, as Russian Pres Boris Yeltsin and premiers of Japan, Canada and Italy participated in it for the first time. The G-7 recognizes the importance of cooperating with Russia and made it an equal participant in discussing various political issues. Russia wants the G-7 to lift trade restrictions and open its markets to Russia.

International peacekeeping agencies such as the UN intervene in the political affairs of strife-torn countries and introduce democratic methods of resolving political conflicts and civil unrest, which are not always appreciated as subsequent political developments in these countries render the peace-making efforts of foreign organizations meaningless. Postulates on class struggle and internationalism for the establishment of a new world order do not always succeed in eliminating communist ideals, but tend to provoke a rebellious temperament that defies logic.

Viktor Chernomyrdin's visit to the US resulted in an impressive agreement on outerspace and power engineering. The US government consented to extend full cooperation toward Russia and agreed to enter into a joint economic venture with it. However, the agreement to utilize uranium in nuclear plants was not adequately concluded because such an agreement will provide the world market with a supply of uranium at reduced prices for weapons processed at Russia's nuclear power plants.

Issues concerning the political climates in Great Britain and in Italy in 2001 are discussed. Particular attention is given to the political styles of the Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Silvio Berlusconi, as well as to the Russian president's relationships with the two leaders.

In the nineties, 15 East European and Mediterranean countries have applied for membership in the European Union (EU). In dealing with the Chechnyan crisis, EU's action reflected both the pre-Cold War attitude towards Russia and a new understanding about Russia's internal turmoil. Humanitarian ad was granted to Chechnyan civilians; $12 million was allocated by the EU. Sanctions and trade barriers have not been imposed on Russia, however.

Jacques Chirac's victory in the 1995 run-off elections marked the first time in 21 years that a Gaullist will occupy the French presidency. It is unlikely, however, that Chirac will continue to espouse the conservatist views of the Gaullists. Based on the his speeches during the campaign, Chirac seems to have matured into a leader with foresight. His administration will most likely incorporate the best principles of both the Socialist and Gaullist parties.

France is likely to elect one of the populist politicians that caught the public eye as the administration of Francois Mitterrand took on water in the early 1990s. Jacques Chirac and Edouard Balladur are front-runners for the 1995 elections, with Chirac considered the most likely victor. Mitterrand's dwindling political influence is discussed.

A contrast is apparent in Russia's approaches toward the Bosnian and Chechnyan conflicts. While Russia has consistently called for the peaceful resolution of the conflicts in former Yugoslavia, its forceful stance in Chechnya contradicts this policy. This contradiction undermines Russia's professed commitment to help establish a viable security system in post-communist Europe.

Problems such as unemployment in Europe and the socio-political crises in the former Yugoslavia are hindering the implementation of proposals made at Maastricht. The fourth Europarliament will have to plan effective measures to solve the problems. Voters from 12 EU member countries will elect new deputies to the European Parliament in June 1994.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin visited Madrid and Barcelona in Spain in 1994 and met Spanish Premier Felipe Gonzalez, Catolonian authorities and businessmen. Many documents, including the Treaty of Cooperation and Friendship, were signed between Russia and Spain. The Russian President also allayed rumors about his poor health.

Political and economic stability of Vietnam has prompted 'Vietnam war generation' American President Bill Clinton to review trade with the former enemy, which will prove beneficial. American companies which will invest two billion dollars in Vietnam in 1994 can expect profits of $ 8 billion by 1998-99. Vietnam has welcomed US investment and trade in the interests of the growth of its backward economy. The trade ties will also facilitate the tracing of POWs missing in action since the War.

The rise of extreme right politicians such as Vladimir Zhirinovsky, in Russia, will hasten the West's integration with Eastern Europe. Such an integration may help confront the economic and political disorder in Russia and the instability of its relations with the West. The rise of extremism in Russia may be a prelude to the appearance of similar fascist movements in the West.

Andrei Kozyrev's bid to pressurize member nations of NATO into accepting Ukraine's terms for continuing its nuclear weapons program invoked a sharp response from the Western nations which demanded Ukraine's compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Russia's stance on Ukraine's nuclear weapons isolated it from the rest of the NATO members, and Russia is seen as a threat to stability and international security in the European continent. Warren Christopher, US Secretary of State, refused to comply with Russian foreign policy, which seems to be an image-building tactic of Andrei Kozyrev on the eve of elections to the State Duma.

Hungary is interested in joining the NATO and at the same time wants to maintain friendly relations with Russia. Bilateral trade between Russia and Hungary has increased over the years and the two countries do not want to ruin this. During the NATO symposium in Jun 1993 in Hungary, Supreme Allied Commander General James Davis suggested Hungary's entry in the NATO.

Bernard Tapie had successfully headed the Olympique football team as president until the team's malpractices became public. Nevertheless, when the French Football Federation (FFF) withdrew from the championship of France title from Olympique on the grounds of these malpractices, it was interpreted that the FFF and the Professional Football League were removing their arch rival, Bernard Tapie and his team, who had captured the place of leader of French football. The sponsorer of Olympique, TF-1 television which has broadcast rights, continues to support the club and its president, Tapie.