In Asia, Obama, Medvedev see nuclear pact progress

[babylonsister]

In Asia, Obama, Medvedev see nuclear pact progress

By CHARLES HUTZLER, Associated Press Writer Charles Hutzler, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 34 mins ago


SINGAPORE – President Barack Obama said Sunday the United States and Russia would have a replacement treaty on reducing nuclear arms ready for approval by year's end, an announcement designed as an upbeat ending to a summit with Asia-Pacific leaders.

While publicizing progress with Russia on arms control — part of Obama's agenda to advance nuclear disarmament — the president and other leaders bowed to the obvious on climate change. They discussed a compromise agreement for a 192-nation gathering next month in Copenhagen, indirectly admitting that the meeting would not produce a new global treaty to reduce the heat-trapping carbon emissions that are warming the planet.

Nearing the end of his two days in Singapore, Obama also attended a second summit with leaders of the 10 southeast Asian countries that make up the ASEAN group. Obama was the first U.S. president to sit in on the meetings, that included a senior leader of Myanmar — part of a shift in U.S. policy away from isolating the repressive Myanmar military government.

Afterward, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama told the gathering, Myanmar Gen. Thein Sein included, that his government must free long-detained democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.

Obama "brought that up directly with that government," Gibbs said.

While Myanmar ranks high among nations that suppress human rights, a joint statement by the United States and the ASEAN group made no mention of Suu Kyi.

The whirlwind of summitry is part of Obama's first presidential trip to the region. Its emphasis on big issues like climate change, disarmament and the economic crisis is part of Obama's approach to persuade new emerging powers like China — where he headed later Sunday — to share in the burden of managing global challenges.

The change in emphasis has helped Obama shift relations to a more positive footing, away from disputes over human rights and the Chinese military buildup that have unsteadied ties. In Shanghai on Monday, Obama will address an audience of students from several universities and field questions from them and from submissions to the U.S. Embassy's Web site.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091115/ap_on_re_us/obama

[ClarkUSA]

1. It's amazing how much Pres. Obama has gotten accomplished on this front w/Medvedev in less than a yr

I don't recall an American president ever having so much policy influence with a Russian leader in the first year of his presidency.

[Cha]

2. This kind of news is worth a

kick back to front page GDP~