Posted on 07/07/2009 11:09:11 AM PDT by Cindy
Note: The following text is a quote:
News American Forces Press Service
Obama Proposes New Security Relationship with Russia
By John J. Kruzel American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2009 – President Barack Obama today called on current generations free from Cold War antipathy to chart a new course of U.S.-Russian relations that focuses on areas of mutual interests.
Addressing an audience at the New Economic School in Moscow, Obama spoke about reducing nuclear arsenals, negotiating a missile defense program in Europe, and security topics such as Afghanistan and NATO.
“Together, we can build a world where people are protected, prosperity is enlarged, and our power truly serves progress,” he said. “And it is all in your hands.”
On nuclear weapon reduction, Obama noted that he and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev agreed yesterday to reduce U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons stockpiles by up to a third. In a meeting at the Kremlin, the leaders signed a pact to follow up the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, known as START.
“America has an interest in reversing the spread of nuclear weapons and preventing their use. That is why America is committed to stopping nuclear proliferation, and ultimately seeking a world without nuclear weapons,” Obama said. “And while I know this goal won’t be met soon, pursuing it provides the legal and moral foundation to prevent the proliferation and eventual use of nuclear weapons.”
As the United States and Russia stick to their own commitments, Obama said, they must also hold other nations accountable for meeting their obligations. He warned that Iranian or North Korean nuclear capabilities could spark an arms race in East Asia or the Middle East.
“I’m pleased that President Medvedev and I agreed upon a joint threat assessment of the ballistic missile challenges of the 21st century, including from Iran and North Korea,” he said.
But Obama said nuclear nonproliferation is a concern for the international community writ large – an issue that’s not solved by singling out individual nations.
“If we fail to stand together, then the [Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty] and the [United Nations] Security Council will lose credibility, and international law will give way to the law of the jungle,” he said.
Acknowledging that U.S. plans to configure a missile defense in Europe has been met with opposition in Russia, the president reiterated that the system is designed to defend against an Iranian attack, not to weaken Moscow. He also proposed working with Moscow on creating acceptable missile defense architecture.
“I want us to work together on a missile defense architecture that makes us all safer,” he said. “But if the threat from Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs is eliminated, the driving force for missile defense in Europe will be eliminated. That is in our mutual interest.”
Speaking about Afghanistan, Obama highlighted another pact signed yesterday – one that permits the United States to transit troops and weapons across Russian territory en route to Afghanistan. The agreement allows for 4,500 flights per year through Russian airspace, and saves the U.S. government $133 million annually in transportation costs while boosting logistical efficiency.
He underscored America’s goal in the region: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qaida and its allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“I’m pleased that Russia has agreed to allow the United States to supply our coalition forces through your territory,” Obama said. “Neither America nor Russia has an interest in an Afghanistan or Pakistan governed by the Taliban.
“It is time to work together on behalf of a different future – a future in which we leave behind the great game of the past and the conflict of the present; a future in which all of us contribute to the security of Central Asia,” he said, alluding to the 19th and early 20th century geopolitical competition for Central Asian dominance known as the “Great Game.”
Addressing a controversial topic, Obama said state sovereignty must be a cornerstone of international order – a reference to the five-day conflict last August during which Russia invaded an enclave within the borders of the former Soviet satellite of Georgia. The government in Tbilisi is seeking membership to NATO, which would guarantee protection under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which created the alliance. The article states that an attack against one NATO member is an attack against all.
But Obama underscored that NATO, a political and military alliance that came to rise during the Cold War, now seeks collaboration with Russia, not confrontation.
“For any country to become a member of NATO, a majority of its people must choose to, they must undertake reforms, and they must be able to contribute to the alliance’s mission,” he said. “And let me be clear: NATO seeks collaboration with Russia, not confrontation.”
Related Articles: Russia Allows Transit for Afghanistan-bound U.S. Troops Obama, Medvedev Agree to Reduce Nuclear Stockpiles
He knows good friends when he meets them.
This is the first time I’ve heard the term “new security relationship” applied to the words “surrender” and “incompetence...”
Reagan” “Trust, but verify.”
The Obamaloon: “When do you want me to bend over?”
It certainly sounds like a nice idea in principle. We would certainly sooner, like Abraham Lincoln, “destroy our enemy by making him our friend.” Russia is western enough in culture that it could get along with the USA very well if it chose.
But I fear, the old fire will still flare in the bosom of the Bear yearning for its old glory. Why should we believe there will be no more Georgias? Obama could pout and whine all he wants at such a display of Russian aggression and it would achieve nothing but to make America a further laughingstock to the world.
At best, in our relations with Russia, we should remember both Teddy Roosevelt (”speak softly and carry a big stick”) and Ronald Reagan (”trust but verify”) for a loooooong time. Until the old generation that knew the USSR is completely gone.
Are you referring to the “good sense” where he trades away our 25 year advantage in missile defense, for an offensive reduction of no consequence?
Or do you refer to the part where he asks for Russian permission to fly over FORMER SOVIET TERRITORIES?????
Once the details of what he has axhieved becomes known then we can properly assess the harm.
First, collectivize the economy, then the war.
`1984’, Part 1, Chapter 3
“Someone whom the old man loved — a little granddaughter, perhaps had been killed. Every few minutes the old man kept repeating:
‘We didn’t ought to ‘ave trusted ‘em. I said so, Ma, didn’t I? That’s what comes of trusting ‘em. I said so all along. We didn’t ought to ‘ave trusted the buggers.
But which buggers they didn’t ought to have trusted Winston could not now remember.”
Well, since the Senate hasn’t (and probably won’t) ratify this, President Palin can just wave her hand and make like it never happened.
HiTech, You may not have heard what Obama is thinking about doing:
From another article --
"A senior White House official said Sunday said that the difficulty of the task might mean temporarily bypassing the Senate's constitutional role in ratifying treaties by enforcing certain aspects of a new deal on an executive levels and a "provisional basis" until the Senate ratifies the treaty."
Constitution apparently declared optional by Obama administration
That’s fine and dandy — as CIC, Obama can cut whatever he wishes. (He can spend LESS than Congress authorizes, even though not MORE.)
LOL...back to the future Jimmah daze. How long could it be before we hear ‘The Russians lied to me!!!’?
He can try to delete nuclear weapon systems from the budget but he will fail especially if he does an end run around the Senate ratification. Congress will just put the back in, see the F-22. And I expect the Dems will lose control of the House in 2010 his chance will then go to Zer0.
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