|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
U.S. Rules Out Unilateral Steps Against Russia
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Container
|
| Contributor | RP |
| Last Edited | RP Sep 09, 2008 10:18pm |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | General |
| Media | Newspaper - New York Times |
| News Date | Tuesday, September 9, 2008 04:15:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | The Bush administration, after considerable internal debate, has decided not to take direct punitive action against Russia for its conflict with Georgia, concluding that it has little leverage if it acts unilaterally and that it would be better off pressing for a chorus of international criticism to be led by Europe.
In recent interviews, senior administration officials said the White House had concluded that American punishments like economic sanctions or blocking Russia from world trade groups would only backfire, deepening Russia’s intransigence and allowing the Kremlin to narrow the regional and global implications of its invasion of Georgia to an old-fashioned Washington-Moscow dispute.
In an interview, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates described the administration as having come to a unified position that calls for “a long-term strategic approach — not one where we react tactically in a way that has negative strategic consequences.”
He cautioned that “if we act too precipitously, we could be the ones who are isolated.”
The issue of how to manage Russia is also playing into presidential politics. Senator John McCain, the Republican nominee, has long called for excluding Russia from the Group of 8 industrialized powers and has urged a firmer response. Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, has criticized the Kremlin’s decision to go into Georgia but has made it clear that he favors more engagement. |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
