terça-feira, 7 de julho de 2009

Mais um grande discurso de Obama, agora em Moscovo


Na Escola Superior de Economia, em Moscovo, o Presidente dos EUA falou na necessidade de uma «Rússia forte, mas pacífica».

«MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- A strong Russia is good for the United States, President Obama said Tuesday in a speech in Moscow, which he is visiting in an effort to "reset" the countries' relations.

President Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, greet graduates at the New Economic School on Tuesday.

1 of 3 Addressing an audience including former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and graduates at a Moscow business school, Obama said Washington wants to work in partnership with a "strong, peaceful and prosperous Russia."

"This belief is rooted in our respect for the Russian people, and a shared history between our nations that goes beyond competition," he said.

On Monday, Obama met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and concluded a series of agreements -- including one on nuclear arms reduction -- as part of an effort to strengthen ties between the former Cold War rivals. Watch Obama's full opening statement in Russia »

The two-day summit in Moscow was needed to help "reset" a relationship that, according to Obama, "has suffered from a sense of drift" in recent years.

The president reiterated that in his speech Tuesday.

"This must be more than a fresh start between the Kremlin and the White House, though that is important. ... It must be a sustained effort among the American and Russian people to identify mutual interests, and to expand dialogue and cooperation that can pave the way to progress."

Obama was due to meet with Medvedev again Tuesday, and with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, before heading to Italy for the Group of Eight summit. The G-8 agenda is packed with issues including Iran, the global financial crisis, climate change and world poverty.

Medvedev and Obama on Monday signed a deal on parameters for negotiations to replace the Start treaty, with the goal of reducing nuclear weapons. The Start treaty expires December 5. Watch Obama discuss arms control pact »

Under Monday's agreement, Russia and the United States will reduce their strategic warheads to a range of 1,500 to 1,675, and their strategic delivery vehicles to a range of 500 to 1,100. The new numbers would be a reduction from the expiring Start treaty which allowed 2,200 warheads and 1,600 launch vehicles.

After his speech, Obama sat down with CNN's senior White House correspondent Ed Henry for a brief interview.

Obama spoke about a range of issues including relations with Iran and Michael Jackson's legacy.

On Iran, Obama reiterated statements he had made recently about the post-election protests in the country.

"Events in recent weeks have disturbed the world. They are not only heartbreaking, but raise questions over where leaders want to take the country," Obama said. "We have to wait and see how the dust settles. But we have to speak out and say that the Iranian people have to be treated with justice."


The president also spoke about the legacy of Michael Jackson, on the day of the pop star's public memorial program.

"No doubt he was one of the greatest entertainers of our or any generation. Like Elvis, Sinatra, the Beatles, he became a core part of our culture," Obama said. "His extraordinary talent and music was mixed with a big dose of tragedy in private life. It is important for us to affirm the best of him."»

in CNNpolitics.com

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