Posted on 03/04/2009 5:22:14 AM PST by Schnucki
President Obama sent a secret letter to his Russian counterpart last month suggesting that he could halt the deployment of a US missile shield in Eastern Europe if Moscow persuaded Iran to abandon its nuclear weapon ambitions, it emerged yesterday.
The overture to President Medvedev is part of a diplomatic effort by the Obama Administration to improve American-Russian relations on a range of issues including Iran, Afghanistan and the reduction of nuclear stockpiles.
Part of Mr Obama’s diplomatic initiative on cutting nuclear weapons, which was first reported by The Times last month, involves the possibility of shelving the $4 billion a year (£2.8 billion) missile defence programme as an incentive for Moscow to negotiate a new arms reduction treaty with Washington. Mr Obama also views Russia as critical in his efforts to halt Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons programme and confront the resurgent Taleban in Afghanistan. His diplomatic push appeared to have paid early dividends when it emerged that the first delivery of non-military supplies for US troops in Afghanistan had crossed Russian territory.
The planned deployment of ten interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic — a programme begun under the Bush Administration — has been opposed by Moscow because the Kremlin claims that it would threaten Russian security. It is emerging as a useful bargaining chip for Mr Obama as he seeks to co-opt Moscow’s help on a number of global challenges.
Asked about the letter during a press appearance with Gordon Brown at the White House, Mr Obama said that it contained no quid pro quo linking the missile defence shield to Russian help in halting Iran’s nuclear programme. “What I said in the letter was that obviously to the extent that we are lessening Iran’s commitment to nuclear weapons, then that reduces the
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Yesterday, Zero denied that he offered this to the Ruskies.
Of course he did.
They would have accepted it if he really offered it.
He's the Messiah, you know.
And the Russians told the loon to stuff it, further exposing him and his loon-O-tics for the worthless insects that they are.
Ruskies slam down boy wonder
Naturally, showing weakness to the pit bull Putin can only enhance our standing in the world. All of our enemies are now lining up to be our friends.
Not to worry. The Obamessiah will wave his hand and render all incoming missiles harmless.
From my understanding,
his letter of 6 weeks ago said he’d be willing to dismantle the missile shield in exchange for help on the Iran nuclear issue.
The Ruskies responded with
“oh, we’ll take the removal of the missile shield, but we’re not going to talk about the Iran thing”
Obama promised to dismantle missle defense during the campaign. So why would the Russians consider something Obama promised to do anyway a bargaining chip.
The community organizer has gotten in WAY over his head. He has absolutely no idea what he's doing.
Deep inside the streets of Chicago, he may have gotten a small group of people to follow him. That does not qualify him to be the leader of the free (well, for a little while longer, anyway) world.
I’ve always had a problem with spending billions on a defense shield for Europe that they don’t want enough to pay for themselves. Shield us first.
He is offering to place US Citizens’ lives at risk. I’m ready to impeach him, where to we start?
I wonder if there is a tie to it with this:
Avoiding Pakistan, New Supply Route To Afghanistan Open
A new route to take cargo to American and NATO forces in Afghanistan has opened, American officials said Tuesday, providing an alternative to the primary supply route — through the troubled border with Pakistan — as it comes increasingly under threat.
Some of the cargo, which is made up of commercial goods, was rolling by rail through Russian territory on Tuesday
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/world/asia/04supply.html?ref=world
Two bits says that he will announce the dismantling of the missile shield as a "gesture of good faith" within the next 12 months.
Back during Reagan, at the height of the cold war, there were many libs (I believe Kerry was one) that were working for unilateral nuclear disarmament on our part as a “gesture of good faith”.
He can’t even renege on Eastern Europe with credibility.
Add the Dalai Bama to the Axis of Idiots...http://bsimmons.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/the-axis-of-idiots-by-jd-pendry-retired-marine-sergeant-major/
Now Russia is playing ‘Gotcha’.
“We know nothing about Iran, now whats that you were saying about dumping the missile shield?”
Somebody ‘splain to me the difference between “gesture of good faith” and “abject surrender”.
Dittos!
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