[Mike Darancette]

Who would you suggest Russia sign trade pacts with?

I don't care what countries Russia signs trade pacts with as a matter of trade competition with the US. If Russia is signing a pact with Iraq either Russia is getting it's money up front, Russia knows something that you and I don't know, or Russia is just trying to get up in our face.

Maybe the US should recognize and open relations with Chechenya.

[mikhailovich]

The US trades with China, yet threatens to defend Taiwan if China invades. I can think of countless other examples. But when Russia tries to survive and compete economically, she is questioned.