Connie Lawn: To Russia With Deals

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President Barack Obama meets with former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev in Gostinny Dvor, Russia, Tuesday, July 7, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The American and Russian leaders appeared to have held highly productive meetings in Russia. Many of there agreements were prepared in advance, and are not finalized. But, they provide major frameworks. Their news conference was held in a lavish and ornate Grand Kremlin Palace. It’s gold work and lights are far more lavish than any public building in America.

Some of the most important agreements center on nuclear arms reduction, Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea. Russia still dislikes America’s plans for a missile defense shield, and the US does not like Russian aggression in the nation of Georgia. These are some of the many topics to be discussed later.

If the nuclear warhead agreement holds up, the number of warheads would be cut to levels of 1,500 or to 1,675. The present level is about 2, 200. President Obama proposes a nuclear arms reduction summit in Washington next year, to be followed by one in Russia the following year.

Both leaders expressed concern about nuclear developments in Iran and North Korea and vowed to work together. They said the nuclear expansion by those nations could encourage a major nuclear arms race around the world. In addition, their nuclear material could be sold to “non state actors” or terrorist groups which could attack anywhere.

President Obama expressed his gratitude to Russia, for allowing American planes and materials to transit Russia and go into the anti Taliban and Al Qaeda effort in Afghanistan. Up to 4,500 flights a year would be permitted. The Americans would not be charged by the Russians for the overflights of their territory.

Russia and the United States vow to work together on a number of issues. They include military and scientific cooperation, the economy, the environment, the continued search for evidence of Prisoners of War and Missing in Action from World War Two , the Korean, and Vietnam Wars, and cultural exchanges.

On the subject of cultural exchanges, President Obama brought his wife Michelle and two daughters on this trip. They have a chance to understand the people, culture and the art of the nations they visit. They also try to visit schools, hospitals, and orphanages. This present trip takes them to Russia, Italy, and Ghana. Last month the Obama family visited France and England. The Obamas are excellent Ambassadors from the United States, and the two daughters, aged 9 and 11, learn far more than they could absorb in school. Maybe someday, their trips could include New Zealand!

Connie Lawn has a passionate love for NZ. She worked for Radio New Zealand for 20 years, and then for Radio Live for a few years. Connie has covered the White House and the world since 1968. Her other passion is skiing, and she calls herself "the skiing White House reporter." Her ski stories are on dcski.com and other outlets. Connie is also heard on thousands of radio stations, but firmly believes the internet is the future. She can be reached at connie@scoop.co.nz

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