2pm ***LIVE*** Obama/Medvedev Press Conference on CSpan.org

[quiet.american]

If you're interested! :)

As of this writing hasn't started yet (the "sound guy" is at the podium) but should start shortly.

Link:
http://cspan.org/Watch/Media/2010/06/24/HP/R/34599/Economy+iran+two+issues+to+be+addresed+in+ObamaMedvedev+meeting.aspx

[quiet.american]

1. 2-minute "warning" just sounded to start of event....

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2. The two presidents are onstage -- Obama fondly remembering Medvedev's hospitality during his visit -

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3. Obama talking about how US-RUSSIA relationship had deteriorated & he wants to reset it

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4. We disagree on certain issues - such as Georgia ....

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5. Attitudes in Russia have become more favorable toward US....

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6. Expanding trade and commerce with Russia --

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7. New partnerships spans space to science to sports -

Obama has even recently welcomed a contingent of Russian basketball players....

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8. Our world is safer when the United States and Russia get on well together....

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9. Medvedev up .. thanks Obama for exceptional hospitality and generosity....

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10. Talking about Pres. Obama taking him to a hamburger joint for lunch... :)

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11. "Not quite healthy... but very tasty...."

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12. This visit is aimed at improving economic issues between our countries -

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13. Talking about his visit to Silicon Valley - wants to bring investment to Russia....

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14. Uh-oh - translator's mike is out... and my Russian is a bit rusty.... :)

[quiet.american]

15. Talking about G-20 mtg - and conversations with Obama about economy of two countries -

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16. Agrees w/Obama that more stimulus should be done --

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17. Created a Presidential Commission w/Obama --

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18. Commission will work to implement the plans we both have....

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19. Talked about resolution on Iran, & other complicated Middle Eastern issues

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20. Georgia is a sticking point, but doesn't prevent exchange on other issues b/w them....

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21. Thinking of future steps... always ready to discuss various issues w/my counterpart (Obama)...

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22. We recently had a conversation that lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes - ears were getting stiff....

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23. Question time: Politico up first - asking about how McChrystal flap affects timeline for withdrawal

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25. Short answer: the personnel changed, not the policy

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26. Reiterating mission objectives and transition withdrawal date set for next year

Mission:

Disrupt, dismantle and defeat the Taliban/Al Queda
Secure the borders between Pakistan and Afghanistan
Train the Afghan security to take over for their own country

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27. Stresses that withdrawal date is a transition date

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28. Has stressed to security leadership that their conduct be true to sacrifices of servicemen and women

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29. Is confident that objectives will be met

[quiet.american]

30. McChrystal sacking not due to difference in policy - McChrystal stayed true to that policy

[treestar]

35. Is this a time they should ask about US Russia relations?

Instead of rudely bringing up their latest obsession, or is this to be expected?

[quiet.american]

37. Can always count on the first question having nothing to do with the current topic

[treestar]

55. Yeah, hehe. Thanks for your thread by the way!

:hi:

[quiet.american]

57. Thanks for the shout-out, Treestar. :) nt

[firedupdem]

62. So right! Jeez what passes for journalism these days is amazing!

Thanks for the info. I missed all news today.

[quiet.american]

24. Politico to Medvedev: Has he given Obama any advice on Afghanistan

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31. Medvedev: In terms of our own experience, would like to see Afghan have a functioning state

[firedupdem]

63. oh! for goodness sakes! n/t

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32. Russian reporter asking about Russia joining the WTO - timeframe?

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34. Obama: 90-95% of issues have been resolved - remaining are difficult issues --

But a lot of work has been done in last few months - negotiators will be instructed to try to come to terms by this fall -- however, resolution of technical issues may be in hands of Russian goverment - they may have to change some of their laws.... Russia will then take internal actions to meet requirements of WTO....

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36. Mentions US poultry exports to Russia - multi-billion dollar revenue for US.

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33. Timeline of Silicon Valley investment starting up in Russia?

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38. In Russia it's 'The Kremlin Valley,' looked at facilities of companies like CISCO -

that he hopes will become close partners, and also of small companies that set an example of being efficient and profitable in the high tech business.

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39. Russians shouldn't swagger, but realize they have something to learn...

Also met some Russian techs who want to come back to Russia, but the tech work is here.

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40. Question on G-20: Is China manipulating currency?

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41. Obama: Initial signs of China cooperation are encouraging, but time will tell --

Tim Geitner will further advise on whether the pace of appreciation is where it should be...

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42. We will continue to monitor and verify how rapidly these changes are taking place

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43. Surplus countries are going to have to spur domestic demand

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44. Emerging markets have to think about not only exports, but internal manufacturing....

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45. Debtor countries, of which we are one, are going to have to address their debt

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46. Medvedev talking about Kyrgystan (sp) - will help them, humanitarian and financial aid....

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47. If Russia doesn't help, Kyrgystan will break up and radical elements may take over....

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48. Russia doesn't plan any military support/actions for Kyrgystan --

--but the scenarios may change.

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49. "Thank you very much everybody"

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50. The two presidents leave the stage and walk shoulder-to-shoulder through the exit doors

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51. Which I only mention, because there's so much emphasis on the small stuff --

If Medvedev had walked through the door first, the FOX headline would have been - "Pres. Obama Puts Communists First!"

[quiet.american]

52. Well, that was fun. :) Have to cautiously say, I really like Medvedev.

I'm also getting the vibe that he's probably one of Obama's favorite world leaders. He does seem to be "something different" than what I'm used to seeing of Russian leaders. I get the sense he wants to drag Russia kicking and screaming into a solid, strong 21st Century identity.

[quiet.american]

53. Hope you guys don't mind me "live blogging" this - it's a slow day today. nt

[POAS]

54. You type faster than I can read

:)

[quiet.american]

56. :) Cheers.

[Kind of Blue]

58. Wow, you are amazing. Thank you! n/t

[quiet.american]

59. No, thank you! Cheers. :) nt

[yowzayowzayowza]

60. Good golly. Thx for all the details!!!

:hi:

[quiet.american]

61. 'Preciate the shout-out. :) nt