Medvedev to talk European missile defence with US presid at Lisbon.

YOKOHAMA, November 14 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
intends to discuss with the US president at a NATO summit in Lisbon next
week issues related to European missile defence.
"One of the most important international topics soon will be the
meeting in Lisbon where NATO will hold its summit," said Medvedev. "We
note the improvement in relations between Russia and NATO," the Russian
president stated.
"A number of issues, including the European missile defence, are under
discussion now," Medvedev said. "We have exchanged views of what can be
done and agreed to instruct the aides and ministers to continue the work
in this direction," he added. "We will discuss this issue at the summit in
Lisbon," Medvedev said.
-0-


.Obama urges senators to complete START Treaty work.

YOKOHAMA, November 14 (Itar-Tass) - US President Barack Obama has
expressed interest in the completion of the work in the US Congress on the
START Treaty.
Obama said after talks with the Russian president that they had a
conversation on security issues. "I reiterated my commitment to getting
the START treaty done during the lame-duck session and I've communicated
to Congress that it is a top priority," Obama said.
The votes of at least 67 senators of 100 are required for the START
Treaty ratification.
In the current upper house of Congress, the ruling Democratic Party
has the advantage over Republicans at a ratio of 59:41 (including the two
independent legislators that normally bloc with the Democrats). Thus, if
the ratification of the Treaty will be put to a vote before the end of
this session, the Democrats will need to enlist the support of at least
eight Republican colleagues.
As a result of the defeat of the Democrats in November's midterm
congressional elections, their superiority in the newly elected Senate
that start working in January, will be far more modest: 53 votes against
47. Therefore the support of 14 Republicans will be needed, and the
chances for ratification of the treaty will significantly smaller.
Before the midterm election the names of just three senators from the
Republican Party who were ready to support the START Treaty were known.
The Obama administration continues to convince Republicans of need of
the ratification of the Treaty with Russia and expressed the hope that it
will happen before the end of the final session of the current Congress.
The following year, when the new Senate begins work, it will be much more
difficult to do this.
-0-


.Obama thanks Medvedev for cooperation on Afghanistan.

YOKOHAMA (Japan), November 14 (Itar-Tass) - US President Barack Obama
has thanked Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for cooperation in
Afghanistan.
After talks with the Russian colleague Obama said he thanked President
Medvedev for cooperation on Afghanistan. He noted that the two sides have
excellent cooperation on transit issues in recent months. The parties will
expand the discussion on this question in the debate due next week, Obama
said referring to the upcoming NATO-Russia summit in Lisbon.
Obama also noted that a number of acute regional problems, in
particular, the situation in Sudan, the Middle East, where Russia is a
very good partner, will also be discussed. He said the US side values the
work done by President Medvedev and his team.
-0-


.US supports Russia's accession to WTO - Obama.

YOKOHAMA (Japan), November 14 (Itar-Tass) - Russian and US Presidents
Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama at their meeting paid special attention
to economic issues.
The same as at the G20 summit in Seoul we have focused on economic
issues here, said Obama. President Medvedev works well for Russia's
advancement on a range of economic issues, according to the US president.
The two sides are working closely, Obama said adding that he supports
Russia's ambition to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Medvedev for his part noted the fruitful cooperation of the two
countries both bilaterally and at international organisations, in
particular within the framework of the G20. "This allows us to solve
international problems, achieve objectives, despite the fact that the
situation in the economy remains quite serious," he said. According to
him, "Obama deals with it literally day and night." "I wished him luck,
because the state of the global economy depends on the state of the
American economy," Medvedev believes.
-0-ezh