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You ask how a new Union would differ from what we have now. There should be real sovereignty for the republics in all spheres of their life. That means a degree of freedom that would enable every people to feel that it is in full control of its land, to protect its roots and its language, and to develop its national culture in a comprehensive way. There should be qualitatively new relations between the republics and the center, and also among individual republics.
Q. You are a Russian as well as a Soviet citizen; how does this aspect of your identity and background influence your thinking about the future of your country?
A. My awareness of myself as a Russian and, at the same time, as a Soviet is quite natural for me. This is equally true for millions of my countrymen. I was brought up within Russian culture and Russian traditions, but that just makes it all the easier for me to be an internationalist. That's because Russian culture and what is called "the Russian idea" are remarkably receptive to the national heritage of other peoples. Both in past centuries and in the Soviet period, the Russian people have demonstrated an inclination toward friendship and cooperation with other nations. But our people have also demonstrated their unselfish responsibility for the integrity of the country as a whole, which history has shaped into a multinational entity. Russians have that heritage in their blood, in their genes, regardless of their political views or philosophy.
Many things happened in the past, including distortions of the nationalities policy. There was even imperial oppression of various nationalities as well as attempts to Russify other peoples. But that wasn't the fault of the Russian people themselves. They have a clear conscience. What is more, they often sacrificed what they had in order to help others, particularly smaller peoples.
I might add that the interests of all the peoples of our country are important to me. I cannot conceive of a moral policy without internationalism. I am outraged by any chauvinism, any nationalism, any lack of respect for the character and traditions of any nation.
Q. You have repeatedly called for a "common European home." President Bush calls for a "Europe whole and free." What do you see as the differences -- and the similarities -- between your view and his?
A. I believe that both phrases strike a similar note. So does President ((Francois)) Mitterrand's idea of a European confederation. My own vision comes down to this: not only should military confrontation between the alliances come to an end, but alliance-based coexistence should become a thing of the past. The process of European and global integration, which is already so promising, would gradually create a new economic environment. Politically, we are already entering a new phase that should be characterized by the establishment of permanent security structures instead of NATO and the Warsaw Treaty Organization.