July 1, 2009 8:23 PM

White House to Hold Firm on European Missile Shield

By
Mark Knoller
Topics
Foreign Policy
(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
In advance of Pres. Obama's first trip to Russia next week, the White House is serving notice on the Kremlin that he won't be making any concessions to win its approval of a U.S. missile shield in Europe or membership in NATO for Russian neighbors Ukraine and Georgia.

"We don't need the Russians," says Michael McFaul, special assistant to the president and senior director for Russian affairs on the National Security Council staff.

In a conference call with reporters, McFaul responded with unusually tough talk when asked what reassurances Pres. Obama is prepared to give in his talks starting Monday with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

"We're definitely not going to use the word reassure in the way that we talk about these things," said McFaul. "We're not going to reassure or give or trade anything with the Russians regarding NATO expansion or missile defense."

He said Pres. Obama will talk "very frankly" with Medvedev about U.S. national security interests and "see if there are ways we can have Russia cooperate on those things."

Pres. Obama has pledged to reset U.S. relations with Russia, but McFaul said there'd be no concessions on missile defense or NATO "in the name of reset."

He said Mr. Obama will make the case that Russia can play a role in enhancing its own security with respect to missile defense.

At the same time, the U.S. and Russian leaders will be discussing new negotiations to further reduce the size of each nation's strategic nuclear arsenals. Under The Moscow Treaty agreed to in 2002 by Presidents George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin, the two countries are committed to reduce the number of nuclear warheads in their arsenals to between 1,700 and 2,200 by the year 2012.

"It's too early to talk about whether it's 1,500 or a different number," said McFaul. A new treaty would limit the number of missiles as well as warheads.

"That requires a lot of heavy lifting," said McFaul, "and you can't get to the numbers that you're talking about until you know what you can verify."

During his two days in Moscow, Pres. Obama will also meet with Putin, now Russia's prime minister, and also with former Pres. Mikhail Gorbachev. On Tuesday, he'll give what aides call a "major speech" on U.S.-Russia relations and have meetings with a variety of Russian political and business leaders.

Next week's trip will also take Pres. Obama to:

  • Italy for the annual G-8 Economic Summit;
  • The Vatican for an audience with Pope Benedict and
  • Ghana where he'll address the nation's parliament.

    It will be Pres. Obama's fifth foreign trip.

    • Add a Comment
    by Robert4229 July 5, 2009 2:48 PM EDT
    I'm so glad to read this article. As a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO), I must say the White House wasn't silent as North Korea launched its short & medium range missiles. Putting a huge radar platform by Hawaii, installing THAAD ABM systems, and positioning missile frigates between Hawaii and North Korea is action and not just words. After reading this article, I had to chip in. I just wrote an article "The U.S. Should Develop a Global SDI System". I'd enjoy hearing your opinion on this, and also to take a POLL on the topic in the right hand margine of the DECLASSIFIED SECRETS site at: www.declassifiedsecrets.blogspot.com/ Thanks in advance. Robert http://declassifiedsecrets.blogspot.com/
    Reply to this comment
    by maxcoffee-2009 July 3, 2009 12:57 AM EDT
    treason...
    1. the offense of acting to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its sovereign people.
    2. a violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or to one's state.
    3. the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.

    There are you happy... I looked it up.

    Leaks? What examples of leaks do you have that came from the Dem's? I remeber the outing of the C.I.A. agent by the Bush administration.

    When people like Glenn Beck go on the air... on a news program and aggrees that killing Americans is the only way to save America. It's just friggen horrible. Plus, it looks as like it falls into the proper meaning of treason.
    Reply to this comment
    by rhs648 July 3, 2009 3:09 PM EDT
    Using your line of resoning, every president who has ever put troops in harm's way is guilty of treason. Sorry, That doesn't work. Was Franklin Roosevelt guilty of treason when our troops fought the Germans, the Italians, and the Japanese during WWII? Every one knows that American troops may die whenever they are sent into conflicts. Our military is now volunteer unlike the draft we had years ago. Some occipations are riskier than others and the military falls into the risky category. In the case of the CIA agent, the law exempts both the president and vice president and allows them to relrease secret information at their discretion. Like it not, that is the way things are and it does not constitute treason.
    by wtcmedic911 July 3, 2009 12:25 AM EDT
    He wont cave? ya, dont bet on it. perhaps if it was an islamic country he would before even going. since its the former ussr he will string it out until he gets something for his self or his corp. buddies. Obama is washington as usual. period...
    Reply to this comment
    by maxcoffee-2009 July 3, 2009 12:11 AM EDT
    Keeping the missle shiled... This will probably make Glenn Beck upset considering that he thinks the only way to "save" America is to have Al-qeade launch a major attack on our soil. Killing innocent americans... Go Glenn Beck!!!! You are a ture treasonist

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HtSb7kwTFE
    Reply to this comment
    by wtcmedic911 July 3, 2009 12:27 AM EDT
    true treasonist? how is that? do you even know what treason is? a good percentage of the dem. party should be convicted of it. leaks, leaks, leaks, classified papers stuffed into their briefs, etc. etc. look up treason sometime and get a little smarter will you.
    by thusspokezara July 2, 2009 11:26 PM EDT
    Mr. Putin, have you taken the measure of our President? What ya think? Not exactly a Lenin is he? Is he not the clearest manifestation of our country's aimlessness, exhaustion, and decadence? Is he not our Golden Calf? Will we too not have to wander in the desert for 40 years?
    Reply to this comment
    by zonkzilla July 2, 2009 7:39 AM EDT
    Now this is odd indeed.
    Limbaugh, Hannity, and their loyal parrots have been saying for months that President Obama dismantled the missile defense program but now we see it is still here.
    But then again when have the Limbaugh-Hannity-Beck crowd ever told the truth or lived in the real world and not their fantasy world of lies and hate?
    Try calling any of them to point out their lie using reliable news sources and see what happens.
    Nothing like right wing fascist censorship is there?
    Reply to this comment
    by rhs648 July 2, 2009 1:35 AM EDT
    This should be interesting. Russia is as protective of their influence in their part of the world as we are about the North American continent. Why would Russia want our missiles so close to them. Further, Russia just invaded Georgia. Why would Russia favor acceptance of Georgia into NATO. How far does President Obama expect to get with the Russians?
    Reply to this comment
    by cbsantispin July 1, 2009 9:38 PM EDT
    Washington and Moscow were allies during WWII, both find ways to join forces and work things out when its absolutely necessary, they did it before, they can do it again!
    Reply to this comment
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