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Author : B. Piadsyhev
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Honored Worker of Diplomatic Service, Doctor of
Sciences (History)
THE WRITING TALENTS and energy of our col-
league, Ambassador to Switzerland Andrei
Ivanovich Stepanov, have created an entire literary-
political panorama of the diverse relations between
two states - Russia and Switzerland.
Recently, his new monograph called "Bernsky
dnevnik posla Rossii. 1992-1999" (Bern Diary of a
Russian Ambassador. 1992-1999), was published.
The Bern Diary is an extremely successful piece of
writing. Stepanov's memoirs stand alongside the memoir classics produced by Anatoly
Dobrynin, Georgy Kornienko, Yuli Kvitsinsky, Alexander Bessmertny, and other Russian
diplomats.
In his latest book, the author performs in a genre that is new to him: he presents a
chronology of the embassy's activity and life from day to day, month to month, and year
to year. This approach makes it possible not only to feel the pulse beat of the embassy
staff, but also requires that the author share things that personally affect him, the diffi-
culties he encounters, and the issues that bother him.
On the basis of extensive documentary and archive materials, the author reveals the
painstaking daily work of the foreign policy agency - its central apparatus and diplomatic
mission in Bern - engaged in developing a bilateral dialogue between Russia and Switzer-
land. The judgments and observations the author shares, as well as his attentive, sometimes
critical, analysis of the events and their participants, including himself, make the book
particularly interesting. The lively style in which it is written also adds to its overall ap-
peal.
In his new book, Ambassador Stepanov sets forth his vision of the contemporary con-
ception and, if you like, philosophy of the activity of the Russian diplomatic mission
abroad. He thoroughly analyzes the tactical techniques, forms, and methods of this activity
and shares his experience of preparing for and holding visits and talks at the foreign min-
isterial, prime ministerial, and presidential level, as well as his public relations efforts and
socialization with his fellow countrymen.
The book is full of optimism and belief that a solution will be found to the major prob-
lems facing the country and that its international position will become stronger.
The Alpine Heights of Ambassador Andrei Stepanov
http://interaffairs.ru