Russia was prepared to cooperate with Japan
While emphatically proclaiming that the Northern Territories are "our land," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev indicated in a TV interview that Moscow is willing to cooperate with Tokyo on joint economic development of the disputed islands. Medvedev's live appearance with the heads of three major networks Friday appeared to mark a major change in Russian policy. Asked about the Northern Territories, Medvedev said, "That is our land. However, we are prepared to enter into joint economic development, such as the creation of a free-trade zone, and I have passed along that proposal to Prime Minister Naoto Kan." At the same time, Medvedev, who made a historic visit to Kunashiri Island in November, insisted that any cooperation with Japan on the Northern Territories would not mean that Moscow was prepared to hand over any of the four islands. That would represent a major break from the Russian position of being prepared to turn over the Habomai islets and S...