Obama Offered Deal to Russia in Secret Letter

New York Times ^ | March 2, 2009 | PETER BAKER

[publius1]

WASHINGTON — President Obama sent a secret letter to Russia’s president last month suggesting that he would back off deploying a new missile defense system in Eastern Europe if Moscow would help stop Iran from developing long-range weapons, American officials said Monday.

The letter to President Dmitri A. Medvedev was hand-delivered in Moscow by top administration officials three weeks ago. It said the United States would not need to proceed with the interceptor system, which has been vehemently opposed by Russia since it was proposed by the Bush administration, if Iran halted any efforts to build nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles.

The officials who described the contents of the message requested anonymity because it has not been made public. While they said it did not offer a direct quid pro quo, the letter was intended to give Moscow incentive to join the United States in a common front against Iran. Russia’s military, diplomatic and commercial ties to Tehran give it some influence there, but it has often resisted Washington’s hard line against Iran.

[publius1]

Sorry -- I don't get it. This is smart because.... it's a good thing to reduce our ability to defend ourselves?

[coloradan]

But, we won’t need to defend ourselves if Iran doesn’t have long-range missiles, right? I mean, that’s the only threat that exists, right? And if our good and trusted friends in Russia keep their end of the deal (as they always have done) we’ll be stronger than before, in our weakness.

[Anti-Kenyan]

It is brilliant if you are a marxist putting the final nail in the coffin of the evil west.

[Doogle]

it's a good thing to reduce our ability to defend ourselves?

....remember now, the brain of the organization, Plugs Biden said we have to trust them.....change

[bruinbirdman]

Somehow, this strikes me as old news. I know I've read on FR about the missiles in Poland being used by Hussein with the Rooskies. Maybe the letter thing is new. I don't trust the Slimes that there is one.

yitbos

[Viking2002]

'Kumbaya!' has now replaced 'Ooo-Rah!' as America's war cry. Or peace cry. Or................aw, fuggit. I think I'm gonna cry.

[LibFreeOrDie]

In the spirit of global bipartisanship, Obama offered Putin Eastern Europe in exchange for asking Iran to be nice. What a bargain! /s

[Pantera]

In the spirit of global bipartisanship, Obama offered Putin Eastern Europe in exchange for asking Iran to be nice.

Bingo!

[newnhdad]

If he walks out of the white house waving a piece of paper saying we are friends with Russia.. start heading for the bunkers.

[spokeshave]

Stalin Hitler pact redux

[bruinbirdman]

"U.S. may moderate shield plan if Russia helps on Iran"
Reuters ^ | Feb. 13, 2009 | Ross Colvin

Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 10:45:24 AM by Free ThinkerNY

yitbos

[Jet Jaguar]

ping...

[snowsislander]

More unspeakable folly from the Kenyan Clown.

And that's not to mention that this will also threaten our relationships that we have spent so much developing in central and east Europe.

[rfp1234]

WTF? The Slimes leaking a Democretin secret memo? It must be disinformation.

[Zeppo]

President Obama sent a secret letter to Russia’s president last month...

The Obama regime has just released a number of previously-secret internal Bush administration memoranda, while making all sorts of phony noises about how government should be open and transparent.

In the spirit of openness, then, why shouldn't the Obama regime release the full text of this secret letter?

[Iron Munro]

All we are saying..... Is give another fellow commie a chance.....
.

[brytlea]

And he would believe whatever the Russians told him...right? Oh geeze this really is amateur hour!

[brytlea]

When vikings start to cry I really get worried!

[Tuxedo]

Treason! Basically telling Poland to kiss his ass. Un-f’n real.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Secret would be secret.. this was leaked on purpose.