Rice: No "New Cold War" With Russia

Secretary Of State En Route To Moscow, Says Difficult Times In Relationship

(AP)  Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday that it is "not any easy" time in Russia-U.S. relations, but that the tensions do not amount to a new Cold War.

"I don't throw around terms like 'new Cold War,"' Rice said on her way to Moscow for a visit amid growing tensions underlined by President Vladimir Putin's increasing criticism of the United States. "It is a big, complicated relationship, but it is not one that is anything like the implacable hostility" that clouded ties between the United States and the Soviet Union.

"It is not an easy time in the relationship, but it is also not, I think, a time in which cataclysmic things are affecting the relationship or catastrophic things are happening in the relationship," Rice told reporters aboard her plane. "But it is critically important to use this time to enhance those things that are going well and to work on those things that are not going well."

Washington's relations with Moscow are troubled by sharp disagreements on specific issues — in particular the U.S. proposal to place elements of a missile defense system in former Soviet satellite countries — and by a clear rise in the Kremlin's suspicion of American intentions worldwide.

Russian officials bristle at U.S. criticism of a perceived Kremlin rollback of democracy and complain that Washington is interfering in the country's internal affairs by funding pro-democracy groups. Russia also accuses the U.S. of trying to dominate international affairs.

In an address on the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, Putin last week denounced "disrespect for human life, claims to global exclusiveness and dictate, just as it was in the time of the Third Reich."

Rice suggested Russian officials' sometimes emotionally charged wording of their complaints is not constructive, saying she has urged her counterparts to avoid "rhetoric that suggests the relationship is one of hostility."

She couched criticism of Russia's democratic progress under Putin with a caveat alluding to the country's troubled history.

"This is a big and complex place that is going through a major historic transformation ... things are not going to change overnight, but frankly we would like to see them change faster than they are changing, and for the better," Rice said.

[neoconrcrazy]

the U.S. proposal to place elements of a missile defense system in former Soviet satellite countries %u2014


total hogwash neocon warmongering

[bm6005]

"But it is critically important to use this time to enhance those things that are going well and to work on those things that are not going well."

Then when are you going to start doing just that? It is inexcusable that we've allowed our relationship with Russia to suffer like it has. Of course this is that woman's specialty and the Bushies don't negotiate with anyone so what can we expect.

[terrapin78]

Another feather in the Bush Administrations cap.

Screwed up relations with Russia. Not that I am surprised!

[incog-nito]

"No, it's not a new Cold War," Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice was quoted as saying, "just the same old Cold War, except it's gotten quite a bit colder lately."

[incog-nito]

"No, it's not a new Cold War," Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice was quoted as saying, "just the same old Cold War, except it's gotten quite a bit colder lately."

[incog-nito]

"No, it's not a new Cold War," Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice was quoted as saying, "just the same old Cold War, except it's gotten quite a bit colder lately."

[antoniof123]

Oh no she will turn it into a clod war again. Putin is much too smart for the likes of her she could screw up a wet dream. Is that any suprise.

[misands]

I'm so glad that the old-style Soviet Union is gone, because Bush's arrogance and war-mongering would have brought on a nuclear war with them for sure. We should be glad that as imperfect as they were, our former Presidents who had to deal with the Soviet Union were a whole lot smarter and not nearly as careless and destructive like this current President is.

[misha131]

USA Today has a video of Sec'y Rice addressing the missle defense issue checkout the last 30 seconds of a her video titled "Rice discusses uranium, missiles" from the AP

[misands]

I'm so glad that the old-style Soviet Union is gone, because Bush's arrogance and war-mongering would have brought on a nuclear war with them for sure. We should be glad that as imperfect as they were, our former Presidents who had to deal with the Soviet Union were a whole lot smarter and not nearly as careless and destructive like this current President is.

[pensacola8-2009]

Talking with the Russians and keeping our international partnerships alive, is the right thing to do. We have to remember that the Russians have pursued their own personal nation-building initiative for the past 20 years. They deserve accreditation for keeping their democratic government alive and coming to terms with the demands of transformation required to have a global free-market economy and participate in global trade and economic conferences. They will continue to discover their strengths and niches if they continue to manage their distractions constructively. Unfortunately, Russia is full of whiners and hardliners who want to revert. The creation of the middle class in Russia is not without challenges.

[pensacola8-2009]

Talking with the Russians and keeping our international partnerships alive, is the right thing to do. We have to remember that the Russians have pursued their own personal nation-building initiative for the past 20 years. They deserve accreditation for keeping their democratic government alive and coming to terms with the demands of transformation required to have a global free-market economy and participate in global trade and economic conferences. They will continue to discover their strengths and niches if they continue to manage their distractions constructively. Unfortunately, Russia is full of whiners and hardliners who want to revert. The creation of the middle class in Russia is not without challenges.

[fredegrar]

Those of you that know me, know I'm no apologist for the current Bush admin, but our relations getting sour with Russia aren't entirely Bush and Condi's fault. Putin bears some blame too. He's vilifying the US for political points amongst the Russian public. Saying we disrespect life and 'dictate' our views like the Third Reich. Please. Heard of Chechnya Mr. Putin, or how about cutting off the gas supply to the Ukraine? Weren't dictating anything there were you? How about controlling the media in your country? That's not 'Third Reich' at all, is it Mr. Putin?

No, Bush & Condi, don't deserve *all* the blame for the problems. On the other hand, they also have no clue how to address them...

[starleo146]

Condi- please just look into his eyes as your BOSS did and say," I can trust him". That is what Dubya said in his first meeting with Putin and all the time this KGB agent was gathering as much information as he could now that Dubya is on his way out old Putin keeps blinking and we can't look in his eyes can we Condi he won't let us will he. All those Texas barbeques at the ranch in Crawford was so wasted. You all couldn't make him a cowboy after all.

[grazinggoat]

Please. Heard of Chechnya Mr. Putin, or how about cutting off the gas supply to the Ukraine? Weren't dictating anything there were you? How about controlling the media in your country? That's not 'Third Reich' at all, is it Mr. Putin?

No, Bush & Condi, don't deserve *all* the blame for the problems. On the other hand, they also have no clue how to address them...
Posted by fredegrar at 12:47 PM : May 14, 2007

-There's quite a BIG difference between namecalling, bigoting people or partners on earth and point guns at their heads. By puting the arsenal we intended to put in an ex-Varsovia-defence organization country, pointing them at Russia and pretending them defensive against hardly plausible dangerous Iran, is interpreted by the ex-soviets as a sign of aggression against the Russian Giant.

- You're comparing Russia to a third reich, well I don't understand you don't see all the new laws 'patriot act' allowing CIA and FBI to listen to your telephone communications and browsing your private e-mails at will with no court instruction. All at police or secret service discretion. Hey, wake up and tell the whole picture, not just one part of it...

[fascistusa]

Russia now refers to American as NAZI.

But trust Rice. She won't LIE to you.

The rest of the World is lining AGAINST US.

But keep accepting your delusions.

[fascistusa]

Russia now refers to American as NAZI.

But trust Rice. She won't LIE to you.

The rest of the World is lining AGAINST US.

But keep accepting your delusions.

[doctordonut-2009]

http://www.theweeklydonut.org/index.php/category/condoleezza-rice/

[severow]

The United States definitely needs to make some greater efforts at this time to improve relations with Russia, an important friend and ally since the close of the Cold War. There has not quite been enough "give" in our diplomatic give-and-take with the Putin leadership team.

Secretary of State Rice can accomplish a lot in this vital area of global diplomacy if the U.S. does not insist on too rigid a position vis-a-vis the Russians on issues of mutual concern to both nations.

[ubrew12]

For 50 years, nuclear holocaust has been averted through the threat of nuclear response, MAD. By placing missile 'defense' batteries on Russia's borders the U.S. is obviously working toward the day when Russia won't be able to respond to a nuclear first strike by the U.S. And anyone who thinks the U.S. would never strike first should consider the recent history of Iraq.
To the Russians, this isn't missile 'defense' but a provocation, possibly to a nuclear showdown. There may be elements within the former Soviet Union that are calling for THEM to strike first, just in case.

I'd call that a Cold War... old school style.

[fredegrar]

"Hey, wake up and tell the whole picture, not just one part of it..."
Posted by grazinggoat at 03:56 PM : May 14, 2007

They don't give me enough characters to tell the whole picture. Besides, you read too much into my post. I never once implied I believe the Bushies *haven't* created a fascist system in the United States - at least I can still post my opinions, even if it does get me on a 'list' somewhere. I was just saying Putin is being hypocritical by pointing out the US's flaws (numerous and growing thanks to incompetence at the top), while ignoring his own.

"When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross." -Sinclair Lewis

[toolmangler-2009]

THERE IS NO DEFENSE AGAINST NUCLEAR WEAPONRY!
Posted by Agnim at 04:14 PM : Apr 27, 2007

I may never agree with anything else you say but that is the truest statement I have ever seen you make. A country doesn't have to use missles to destroy you, simply set them off where they are and you get everybody, garanteed!!! Right now only Muslims want to do that. They think M.A.D. is a joke. If there had ever been one scenerio that Russia could have used to 'nuke' us during the 'Cold War' they would have used it, and so would we. Radical Religion does not care. Thats enough to scare you spitless.


What on Gods green Earth don't people understand about 'MAD'. There is 'no' justification for any country that doesn't have Nukes to make them. if you don't have Nukes,no one has a 'legitimate' reason to use them on you. Iran, Iraq, Syria, all can win their struggles wth the west by use of diplomacy. You cannot as a human, make a 3000 lb Gorilla sit where you want by force. But if you use a 'system' of varible rewards you can not-only get him to do what you want but he will be 'happy' about it. If you make him angry he will crush you and not worry about it. Nobody can force the USA to 'knuckle-under' especially to terrorism. We are just too BIG and Strong. and with a 'nut' at the controls what do you think will happen?

[gaye5]

could we see Russia join with china???

[toolmangler-2009]

could we see Russia join with china???
Posted by Gaye5 at 07:48 PM : May 14, 2007


Possible but doubtful, China is growing so fast it scares the #rap out of Putin.

[grazinggoat]

...Continued 1
In all of those, who are most listed on the special list you mentioned? Who is managing the said lists and who decides an individual to be posted on this list? According to what?

-It's terrible to say, but why in the world have we invaded Iraq? America needs a lot of education regarding the different nations around the world, and relentlessly. The baby boomers (who have fought in Vietnam-Veterans) have done everything in order to get rid this America of the influence of religion into the state affairs. Look what has happened. Just a tiny inattention and those scu*ms made it back to direct the decisions of the government and put it under direct influence of the draped-crossed zealots. America is meant to the whole humanity to be the land of freedom and liberty. Those Zealots highjacked it and submitted it into a churchstan.

[grazinggoat]

I never once implied I believe the Bushies *haven't* created a fascist system in the United States - at least I can still post my opinions, even if it does get me on a 'list' somewhere....

"When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross." -Sinclair Lewis
Posted by at 05:47 PM : May 14, 2007

- fredegrar, We all know that any input on this blog may or may not be taken into account, despite all we continue to input our views of the world and try to influence each other to find a way we consider a just median. Of course freedom of expression is essential in turns of centuries. What we have had in the USA is a cross draped by a flag. How similar to what Sinclair Lewis said...

-Matter of fact, if you were agnostic and served in the Army you are not regarded as an endoctrined evangelist who is serving in the Army or a Jewish who is serving in the Army. Each of the latests having a 'MISSION-devine-One' to accomplish, because this is 'Christian' America Speaking and defending its values. If you are Atheist, you are dam*ned anyway, so no remorse to losing you in the battlefield, at least you are a less valued loss than the Christians or Jewish volunteering to give his soul to 'THE NOBLE CAUSE'. We don't even mention the African-Americans, the Asians, the Spanish who have a lot of differences in the same faith. Forget about the Muslim soldiers who fought Alqaeda, they completely are not worth mentionning...
(see continued 1)

[stezzer]

I can't believe there are so many negative posts about Condi. She's incredible, a real asset to your country.

When she came visiting Blackburn, here in the UK, my brother and I went to give her a cheer and wave the American flag. We were really chuffed when she gave us a wave and a smile.

We thought she was beautiful and charming.

[j-whitman]

Stezzer,,, Don't be a sucker for a toothy smile --- Think about the damage she's done to our National Security -- The lies about Iraq being a threat, WMD's, link to al Quida, & Yellow Cake --

Think about the 10's of thousands of innocents who have lost thier lives with her advice

[book54552134]

This bunch of political thugs (the Bush Administration & the GOP,) have lied about almost every issue of substance.

Because they have lied to the public & the world about every important issue, one can believe nothing they say about much of anything.

[iceman_1960]

["What follows is not CBS News stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it."]

"In an address on the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, Putin last week denounced "disrespect for human life, claims to global exclusiveness and dictate, just as it was in the time of the Third Reich."

Is that any way for Pootie-Poot to be talking ?

George W. Bush on Vladimir Putin: "I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straight forward and trustworthy and we had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul."

Apparently Putin has a sense of your soul as well, Mr. President.