'OBAMA'S FIRST DAY IN OFFICE'

[Novosti, Russia]

 

 

Komsomolskaya Pravda, Russia

Russians Sound Off on What Obama Will Bring

 

The inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44^th president of the United States of America, took place yesterday. Question of the day: What can Russia expect from the new president of the United States?

 

Translated By Yekaterina Blinova

 

January 21, 2009

 

Russia - KP.RU Komsomol - Original Article (Russian)

Former President Bush hugs his successor after President Barack Obama took the oath of office, Jan. 20.   BBC NEWS VIDEO: The world responds to America's new president, Jan. 20, 00:01:51

Mikhail Margelov, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of Russia .

 

- We should expect a hand extended in our direction. The new president, whether he likes it or not, will be forced to engage in a dialogue with Russia.

 

Sergei Markov, representative in the State Duma, director of the Institute of Political Studies :

 

- This will mean nothing new, since foreign policy isn't shaped by the president but by the wider American political elite. With regard to Russia, there is a clear consensus. So we'll still have to fight for our independence within the system of great powers.

 

Alexei Mukhin, director of the Center for Political Information :

 

- Obama translated from Arabic means "blessed," which instills hope. But he's held hostage by the heavy legacy left behind by Bush, so nothing good can be expected in the near term.

 

Alexei Leonov, pilot-cosmonaut, twice Hero of the Soviet Union :

 

- There will be a "thaw" in relations between Russia and the United States. America will continue to fight for its interests, but we will negotiate and there will not be war. That’s for sure.

 

Roman Grebennikov, mayor of Volgograd [formerly Stalingrad]:

 

- First, the serious and well thought-out action in the area of the American economy, upon which, unfortunately, the world is very much dependent. Second, as a politician, Bush was impulsive and unpredictable and I hope Obama's foreign policy posture is more constructive.

 

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Benya Penyon, Belgian news agency "Belga:"

 

- I would guess that Obama will increase the level of contacts and the effectiveness of cooperation with Russia within the framework of international organizations. One can also expect an intensification of cooperation in search of commonly acceptable measures of combat the global financial crisis.

 

Darya Mironova, parapsychologist, a contestant on the Battle of the Psychics: 

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

- Obama is more democratic, but in relation to Russian, he will try to dictate terms or even demand a number of economic sanctions, although overall, his policies will turn out to be friendlier than those under Bush.

 

Yuriy Stoyanov, People's Artist of Russia [an actor that has been recognized by the state]:

 

- I would ask, rather, what Obama can expect from us. This is an American president, so Americans should be the ones with expectations. We should worry about something else: what we can expect from our own president.

 

Margo, KP.RU reader:

 

- I don't expect anything good from Obama. Too many of his close advisers possess outdated stereotypes about Russia.

 

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[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US January 21, 11:25am]