Monday, August 12, 2013

DIPLOMACY - Russia and the U.S. Today

"Kerry, Hagel Make Effort to Mend Relations With Russia" (Part-1) PBS Newshour 8/9/2013

NOTE that a transcript error, missing Margaret's name, in 3rd paragraph was corrected by me.

Excerpt

JEFFREY BROWN (Newshour):  Despite heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia recently, high-level talks in Washington today tried to find some common ground.

Margaret Warner has the story.

MARGARET WARNER (Newshour):  One of the first questions in today's news conference was about the rocky U.S.-Russia relationship, made even rockier this week after President Obama canceled a summit with his counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:  When President Putin came back into power, I think we saw more rhetoric on the Russian side that was anti-American, that played into some of the old stereotypes about the Cold War contest between the United States and Russia.

I don't have a bad personal relationship with Putin.  I know the press likes to focus on body language, and he's got that kind of slouch, looking like the bored kid in the back of the classroom.  But the truth is, is that when we're in conversations together, oftentimes, it's very productive.

MARGARET WARNER:  Even before the president spoke, Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel began talks with their Russian counterparts.



"U.S. Looks for Serious Interest From Russia in Working Together" (Part-2) PBS Newshour 8/9/2013

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  U.S. officials attempted to make progress in high-level talks with their Russian counterparts on issues including Edward Snowden's asylum, missile defense and Syria.  Margaret Warner explains to Jeffrey Brown that although the talks were a step towards better relations with Russia, "no breakthrough" was made.

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