James Baker on U.S.Russian Relations

Former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker said the United States and Russia must end their confrontational relationship. With more than ninety five percent of the world's nuclear arsenal in their hands, the security of the world depends on these two powers coexisting peacefully.

[James Baker, Former U.S. Secretary of State]:
It's important that US-Russian relations get back on track, because we have so many interests that converge. Yes, we have some differences. We'll have to manage those differences, but in many, many areas the interests of the United States and Russia converge. And it's also frankly in the interests of the world that these two countries with ninety five percent of the nuclear weapons in the world have the best possible relationship they can.

Baker worked as the U.S. Secretary of State between 1989 and 1992, when numerous deals were struck between the former Cold War foes.

Ties have steadily deteriorated in the past few years over a wide range of issues, such as NATO expansion eastwards and the planned U.S. anti-missile system in Europe, to last year's war between Russia and Georgia.

In one sign of efforts to reverse this trend, the U.S. and Russia will start talks soon on negotiating a new agreement to replace the aging START Treaty, which cut nuclear weapon stockpiles of both countries. The treaty will expire this December.

Baker set out six separate areas where he felt Russian and U.S. interests could improve: Cutting nuclear arsenals, Iran's nuclear ambitions, international terrorism, energy and environmental issues, the international economic crisis and regional disputes around the world.

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[audadvnc]

NATO expansion? Bush initiative.

US Anti-missile system? Bush initiative.

US belligerance in Georgian war? Bush iniative.

There seems to be a trend here... Good thing we dumped him.