World

Obama and Medvedev - Joint Press Conference

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | July 6, 2009 at 07:50 am

333 views | 39 Recommendations | 8 comments

The two leaders have signed what’s called a statement of understanding that says we agree to work on a deal to bring down the numbers of nuclear warheads to below Cold War standards . The figure has been taunted to bring the warheads down to about 1500.

There has also been an agreement for overflight of Russian territory, which will help with resupply to Afghanistan.

The Chief of Staff of the Russian Army and Chairman of Joint Chiefs signed Frame Work of Military Cooperation between US and Russian Forces for the year 2009. This agreement was suspended after Russia invaded Georgia.

Points from Joint News Conference:

Medvedev –

Negotians completed. First visit of Obama was a busy one.

Useful and open business like conversation.
We have agreed to continue to communicate like this
Not a simple job because backlog of problems is considerate

We have reached mutually beneficial results.
The work we are doing requires understanding, mutual respect and understanding of each other

We cannot remove the burden of all the problems

International Subects: Middle East Settlements – continue talks, discussed the possibility of Moscow Conference
Afghanistan- we have agreed on a special statement.

Specific Results

New Agreement on Strategic Offensive Arms. Carriers and War Heads = two countries can have 500 –1100 carriers. 1500 – 1675 war heads

Agreement on Military Transit to Afghanistan

Obama:

Productive Meeting concluded
Relationshing suffered, reset relationship
Increase Nuclear Security – reduction of our own arsenals. Reduce by a third. Treaty to be completed this year.
Secure all nuclear materials in four years.
Constructive discussion on North Korea and Iran
Joint statement on cooperation on Missile Defence
US Russian Presidential Commission

Live Blog and Explanations by White House on Various Agreements

3 See all footage | View Slideshow

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Uwe Paschen

at 08:03 on July 6th, 2009

Well, it is better then nothing, but still enough left to blow up the Earth a couple of time and this be on salvation.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 08:17 on July 6th, 2009

You're welcome Sara.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 08:16 on July 6th, 2009

It is a start indeed. Hopefully we get to the point where the world rids itself of all destructive weapons. I know it's a pipedream. But if we don't dream what do we have. In some ways I was pleasantly surprised. There seems to be some progress in restoring normal relations. The Presidential Committee should go a long way.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 09:34 on July 6th, 2009

It will be interesting to see the outcome of the meeting with Putin. Obama was asked by an American journalist "Who is in charge of Russia?" Obama stick handled the answer with tact. He basically said that Medvedev was the President and Putin the Prime Minister and that they had their roles just as various positions did in the American form of government.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 12:39 on July 6th, 2009

Gorbachev is the elder statesman that any American President must visit. After all he made the end of the cold war possible. He was a new type of leader in the Soviet Union even though he grew up and was imprinted with the communist system.

158

at 13:41 on July 6th, 2009

Russia will not allow foreigners to interfere in their internal affairs

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 14:02 on July 6th, 2009

I tend to agree with you 158. If it is addressed, it won't be done publicly.

Carlos C. (not verified)

at 00:48 on July 16th, 2009

Obama has made a new pick for Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin. Regina Benjamin, MD, graduated from Morehouse School of Medicine, and ran a practice dedicated to low income families around Bayou La Route since the early 90s, and moonlighted in clinics and ER's to fund her practice. Her practice in Louisiana was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and again by a fire almost a year to the day afterwards, and she used a cash loan or two to rebuild. Her position on socialized medicine is unknown. Regina Benjamin is a credit to the human race, a great pick for SG – and many would give a cash advance to see someone as qualified take the post.