Kissinger Leads ‘Wise Men’ to Russia as Obama Seeks Better Ties

[Purveyor]

By Lucian Kim

March 18 (Bloomberg) -- Henry Kissinger and James Baker, two former U.S. secretaries of state, will fly to Moscow for talks with Russian officials after President Barack Obama pledged to “reset” relations with Russia.

Kissinger, who met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in December, is scheduled to return later this week, according to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Baker, traveling separately, will hold talks with American investors and address a conference on developing Caspian Sea energy resources.

“These guys are building the bridge from the real diplomacy of the Bush Sr. administration to Obama,” said Nina Khrushcheva, an international affairs professor at the New School in New York. “Diplomatically inclined Republicans can make a better opening line because they come from successful relations in the past.”

Obama, a Democrat, is seeking to strengthen ties to Russia and win Kremlin support for his policies on Afghanistan, Iran and nuclear arms reduction. Vice President Joe Biden said in February it was time to “reset” relations after they reached a post-Cold War low under former President George W. Bush.

Kissinger is among a group of U.S. “wise men,” including former Secretary of State George Shultz, ex-Defense Secretary William Perry and former Senator Sam Nunn, who will see Medvedev on March 20, the Kommersant newspaper reported today. They will also meet with Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, former Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and ex-Chief of General Staff Yury Baluyevsky, Kommersant said.

MORE...

BLOOMBERG: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aj_QEe7fnH8I&refer=europe

[marylanddem]

1. Henry Fucking Kissinger?

Good lord, Obama...

[fascisthunter]

2. well isn't it comforting knowing a War Criminal is being sent to...

seek better ties with Russia.

[Politicalboi]

3. Kissinger and Baker

May as well have sent Bush/Cheney.

[Butch350]

4. I can't imagine who it would be....

...but it's time for some fresh blood and a new approach to a new Russia. I wish we could get the hell out of WWI and WWII
mentalities.

[bemildred]

5. Time for some Ruling Class to Ruling Class discussions.

"Let's make a deal."

[burning rain]

6. Won't Putin be glad to see Henry the K?

"Let me assure you, zere von't be any of zis pious claptrap about human rights."

[yurbud]

7. with that group, we'll be lucky if nukes don't start flying over the poles before they get back

[santamargarita]

8. Isn't Kissinger a convicted War Criminal?

I thought there were some countries that asshole didn't dare go to.

[amandabeech]

9. I guess he won't be using western European airspace, then.

It'd be interesting to see if his flight were forced down for an arrest in the Netherlands, for example.

[Vidar]

10. Great to see the bush junta still firmly in control.