In Asia, Obama to make push for arms control deal

[ProSense]

In Asia, Obama to make push for arms control deal

Sets meeting with Russian leader on issue

By Jennifer Loven
Associated Press /

SINGAPORE - A major pact within tantalizing reach, President Obama aims to nudge forward an arms-control deal in talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum brought Obama to Singapore, but he planned to focus on individual meetings today with Medvedev and with Indonesia’s Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, president of the world’s largest Muslim nation and Obama’s home as a boy. The US-Russia meeting takes place as the nations seek a successor to a Cold War-era agreement.

Obama planned another milestone today: joining a larger meeting that includes the leader of military-ruled Myanmar. Obama may face criticism at home, particularly from conservatives, for doing so - a significant step up in his administration’s new policy of “pragmatic engagement’’ that is a shift from years of US isolation and sanctions.

The leaders at the APEC forum also planned an informal breakfast meeting, organized by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Mexican President Felipe Calderon, to discuss the progress of negotiations on a climate change agreement. The prime minister of Denmark, Lars Loekke Rasmussen, the chairman of next month’s UN climate conference in Copenhagen, was expected to attend.

Obama and Medvedev agreed in April to reach a new nuclear arms reduction treaty to replace Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty 1 before it expires on Dec. 5. Later, in Moscow in July, they agreed further to cut the number of nuclear warheads each nation possesses to between 1,500 and 1,675 within seven years.

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[Cha]

1. Rec'd~ President Obama has some

Peace Plans to work out and he's showing the respect that's needed.

[Clio the Leo]

2. So anyway, about that Nobel Peace Prize......

.... and the term "pragmatic engagement" makes me all warm and tingly.

[boppers]

3. He did more in his *campaign* for international relations than many presidents...

...and he continues true to form.