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TOPIC: Russia's Vladimir Putin bombards Hillary Clinton with complaints about trade (WaPo 3/20/10)

Jen the Michigander

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Date: Mar 21, 2010

Russia's Vladimir Putin bombards Hillary Clinton with complaints about trade (WaPo 3/20/10)	Permalink

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/19/AR2010031902065.html?wprss=rss_world/mideast Putin, whom many consider the real power in Russia, agreed only at the last minute to receive Clinton. He then used what was supposed to be a ceremonial photo opportunity at his ornate dacha outside Moscow to criticize the drop in U.S. trade during the global economic crisis, Russia's difficulties in joining the World Trade Organization, and U.S. sanctions that have affected Russian companies -- an apparent reference to penalties on firms doing business with Iran, Syria and North Korea. Clinton appeared unfazed by the blunt lecture, which her aides chalked up simply to a politician's desire to impress the domestic TV audience. She highlighted how the two sides are close to agreement on a pact to succeed the expired Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, and mentioned a recent visit by high-tech executives to Russia organized by the State Department and the White House. "If we continue to work together, we can move beyond the problems to greater opportunities," she said. Clinton's agenda in Moscow was dominated by the almost complete agreement on each side to reduce its deployed long-range nuclear weapons and by the U.S.-led drive for tough sanctions on Iran. She also met with international mediators to discuss Middle East peace. Analysts say the Russian government has been torn over the sanctions issue. On the one hand, it was stung to discover Iran's furtive nuclear work last year and angered by its rejection of international offers to ensure that its enriched uranium is used for peaceful purposes. But powerful lobbies close to the Kremlin are involved in the sale of weapons and nuclear energy equipment to Iran and don't want to lose that trade, analysts say. In addition, the Kremlin fears pushing Iran to the point where it quits the international Non-Proliferation Treaty and bars nuclear inspectors, diplomats say. Despite Lavrov's reluctant tone on sanctions, Clinton aides appeared heartened Friday. They noted that he had until recently been a harsh critic of such penalties and said his list of conditions for sanctions suggest he is ready to work on a new U.N. resolution. The United States is focusing on sanctions that would target members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and the businesses they operate. Russia had sought to water down three previous sets of U.N. sanctions, and its support will be crucial in approving a resolution. __________________ Nobody puts THIS baby in the corner!

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