To Russia with Love, signed BHO

Let's start by saying that a 'friendly' letter does not consitute American foreign policy OR legislature. Okay? As a matter of fact, I like the idea that President Obama and/or Secretary Clinton feels strongly enough about the relationships they have with international partners to communicate on a personal level to 'introduce' themselves and speed along the 'task at hand.'

Obama says report on letter to Russia inaccurate
Tue Mar 3, 2009 12:41pm EST
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday dismissed as inaccurate a report he had linked U.S. plans for a missile defense shield to Russian help on Iran in a letter to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Obama had offered the deal in a letter hand-delivered to Medvedev in Moscow last month by top administration officials.
Obama said the report did not "accurately characterize the letter."
Medvedev's spokeswoman earlier confirmed receipt of the letter but said it contained no concrete proposals.
(Reporting by Caren Bohan; Writing by Ross Colvin; Editing by John O'Callaghan)

Secondly, the Iranians view Russia as an ally TO SOME EXTENT. I believe to the extent Iran believes in any other entity as an ally is mute. They simply don't !

But.

Iran does 'get along' with Russia because it is dependant on Russia. After all, it was Russia that 'straightened out' the American generated blueprints to the nuclear reactor. So, there in lies 'the rub.' While Iran is busy building ICBM rockets and nuclear fuel rods, the Russians don't want 'MDS' at their borders. Hm.

At any rate, the 'idea' that Russia has complete influence over Iran to believe for one minute that it could 'bargain' unilaterally (without Iran at the table with the USA) to 'effect' a change by Iran regarding its nuclear capability is to recognize that Iran is a Russian satellite. It ain't, okay?

As a matter of fact, the closer the world grows greater intolerance to the Iranian aggression toward nuclear weapons the better it is that Russia moves away from any influence as it might be viewed as culpable as Iran itself. Currently, Russia views the UN Sanctions as a necessary step. So that should place all that into a perspective whereby Iran is responsible for its own international reputation or lack there of and NO other sovereignty should be considered 'a part' to nuclear holocaust or the language of hate by Iran toward Israel.

The 'issue' of placing MDS at Russian borders is a matter of cooperation and recognition of 'the purpose' of the defense shield for Europe and where it would be best placed. Playing into this is THE FACT that MDS isn't working. The interceptors can 'function' to collide with a missile 'on demonsration' but in 'the real world' it is the most grossly inappropriate concept to 'national security' of any nation. The reason Russia views it as aggression and not a welcome defense of Europe is because it is blastedly offensive to park missiles of any kind at a Russia border. It is grossly "W"rong to actively 'threaten' Russia which has been a demonstrated ally to other wars.

So, in actuality, what Bush did by making plans for MDS in Poland and otherwise, supposedly to protect Europe is to say that there was nothing that could be done to stop the Iranian development of a nuclear weapon capacity. Placing MDS at Russia borders is like sending up a 'white flag' to Iran stating, "Go ahead, we'll simply defend against you." The entire 'idea' behind MDS at Russian borders is an oxymoron. It has no meaning IF the nations of the international community are determined to stop Iran. To place MDS at Russia borders to protect Europe is like saying, "Israel go to hell, there is nothing that can be done."

The circumstances the world faces with Iran is serious. How serious? That's a very good question that needs to be adequately answered. I certainly hope Iran is not 'banking' on the international community being generous after its demonstration of anti-semetic policies and statements. It was after all the Iranian President that has been more egregious to that end.

Diplomatic relations that 'breed' 'real policy' takes some time. To attempt to expedite that process by building personal relationships with foreign leaders, considering the level of negligence to diplomacy and faux aggression of the Bush/Cheney State Department, by President Obama and his State Department is not only purdent, but, a direct intervention to stop any 'false' considerations or understandings 'left over' from the previous administration.

I believe Russia is a vital partner in international relations and I believe the USA is an integral partner to Russia. I look forward to 'the team' of these great nations reconvening "Non-Proliferation" including current nuclear nations such as India and Pakistan. If it takes a 'memo' to assist a better understanding between the USA and Russia then by all means, do it over the Blackberry.

Medvedev denies Iran-missile shield tradeoff with U.S. - 2 (click title to entry - thank you)
18:47
03/ 03/ 2009
MADRID, March 3 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's president denied on Tuesday media reports claiming that Washington had pledged to drop its Central European missile shield plans if Moscow helped resolve Iran's controversial nuclear program.
A number of media outlets, including the New York Times and Russian business daily Kommersant, reported on Monday that a letter sent by U.S. President Barack Obama to Dmitry Medvedev had stated that the U.S. was ready to give up its plans to deploy missile shield elements in Central Europe in exchange for Russia's assistance on the Iranian nuclear program.
"We are in correspondence, but no tradeoffs have been discussed, I assure you," Medvedev told a news conference in Madrid....


U.S., Poland playing Patriot games (click here)

...Barack Obama has not yet curtailed that plan, but has ordered that its expediency and effectiveness be scrutinized, above all in terms of expenditure.
This may mean anything, from readiness to abandon the plan to reaffirming it, or to taking a pause to determine what additional benefits the White House could get from renouncing it. If it does, would such benefits be worth the effort?
The three-day visit by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski to Washington shows that the White House is considering the third scenario....