Despite Difficulties, Kremlin Sees Better Ties With US
俄羅斯對未來美俄關(guān)系持樂觀態(tài)度

Kremlin leaders are offering a positive assessment about the future of U.S.-Russian relations, but caution that a number of difficult issues continue to separate the two sides, particularly those involving missile defense.

俄羅斯領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人對未來的美俄關(guān)系給予正面評價(jià)，但是他們也對一些持續(xù)給美俄雙方造成分歧的難題提出警告，尤其是那些涉及導(dǎo)彈防御的問題。

Russian President Vladimir Putin told visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates that he considers a letter he recently received from President George W. Bush to be a serious document, which the Russian side has thoroughly analyzed.

俄羅斯總統(tǒng)普京對到訪的美國國務(wù)卿賴斯和美國國防部長蓋茨說，他最近收到美國總統(tǒng)布什的一封信，他把這封信看作是一個(gè)重要文件，俄羅斯方面對這封信進(jìn)行了全面的分析。

Mr. Putin said if both sides are able to reach agreement on the letter's main points, it will be possible to say the U.S.-Russian dialogue is developing in a very productive manner. The Russian leader says a number of bilateral problems may be considered resolved. He notes, however, that many others still need to be discussed.

普京總統(tǒng)說，如果美俄雙方能在這封信中提到的主要觀點(diǎn)上達(dá)成一致的話，那么美俄之間的對話將有可能以一種富有成果的方式發(fā)展下去。普京總統(tǒng)說，有一些雙邊問題可以看作是已經(jīng)解決了，不過他指出，還有其他一些問題需要討論。

Mr. Putin's successor Dmitri Medvedev met separately with Rice and Gates, saying there is an opportunity for continuity in U.S.-Russian relations despite divergence on key strategic issues between the two countries.

普京總統(tǒng)的繼任者梅德韋杰夫與賴斯和蓋茨單獨(dú)舉行了會(huì)晤。梅德韋杰夫表示，盡管美俄雙方在關(guān)鍵性的戰(zhàn)略問題上存在意見分歧，但是雙方仍然有機(jī)會(huì)保持美俄關(guān)系的連續(xù)性。

Russia's president-elect says differences between Russia and the United States remain on such issues as the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, and missile defense. Nonetheless, Medvedev says there is will and determination to move ahead. He also notes the presence of every opportunity to create a necessary foundation for near-term continuity in U.S.-Russian relations.

新當(dāng)選的俄羅斯總統(tǒng)梅德韋杰夫說，俄羅斯和美國在一些問題上仍然存在著意見分歧，比如《削減戰(zhàn)略武器條約》和導(dǎo)彈防御問題。盡管如此，梅德韋杰夫說，他們有意愿和決心去推動(dòng)這些問題的解決。他還指出為美俄關(guān)系在短期內(nèi)的連續(xù)性創(chuàng)造必要基礎(chǔ)的每一個(gè)機(jī)會(huì)。

Medvedev adds that visiting U.S. officials are likely to face difficult talks on Tuesday with their Russian counterparts, Sergei Lavrov and Anatoly Serdyukov.

梅德韋杰夫還說，到訪的美國官員在星期二會(huì)晤俄羅斯外長拉夫羅夫和俄羅斯國防部長謝爾久科夫時(shí)，可能會(huì)面臨一些困難。

Rice and Gates arrived in Moscow with lowered expectations for progress in so-called two-plus-two talks among the defense and foreign-policy chiefs of both countries. Each side announced in advance that they expect the other to initiate movement. Russian officials said progress depends on serious proposals from the United States.

賴斯和蓋茨抵達(dá)莫斯科時(shí)，他們對美俄兩國國防和外交政策領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人之間舉行的這次名為“二加二”的會(huì)談能夠取得進(jìn)展的期望不高。雙方都事先宣布說，他們希望另一方主動(dòng)提出行動(dòng)方案。俄羅斯官員說，會(huì)談的進(jìn)展取決于美國提出的重要建議。

But Defense Secretary Gates said the United States has put a lot on the table in terms of missile defense proposals and it is time for the Russians to reciprocate. Gates added that he sees potential for progress during the Moscow talks, but cautioned that he would not get too excited at this point.

但是美國國防部長蓋茨說，美國已經(jīng)把很多有關(guān)導(dǎo)彈防御計(jì)劃的建議列入談判內(nèi)容，現(xiàn)在是俄羅斯方面做出回應(yīng)的時(shí)候了。蓋茨還說，他認(rèn)為這次莫斯科會(huì)談?dòng)邢Ｍ�取得進(jìn)展，但是他也警告說，自己目前還不能過分樂觀。

Both sides will be discussing a replacement for the 1991 START treaty, which set limits on U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons. The treaty expires next year. Secretary Rice has said the United States does not object to a formal agreement, but notes it is important to know what would be formalized.

美俄雙方將討論1991年簽訂的《削減戰(zhàn)略武器條約》的替代協(xié)議，該條約限制美國和俄羅斯的核武器的發(fā)展。這項(xiàng)條約將在明年期滿失效。美國國務(wù)卿賴斯說，美國不反對簽訂一份正式條約，但是她指出，了解正式條約的內(nèi)容非常重要。

The Kremlin also opposes a U.S. plan to deploy a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic to offset a potential threat from Iran. Moscow is expressing fear the system could eliminate Russia's strategic deterrent.

俄羅斯還反對美國在波蘭和捷克共和國部署導(dǎo)彈防御系統(tǒng)的計(jì)劃。該導(dǎo)彈防御計(jì)劃是為了消除來自伊朗的潛在威脅。俄羅斯方面則擔(dān)憂該導(dǎo)彈防御計(jì)劃會(huì)消除俄羅斯的戰(zhàn)略威攝。

An alternative Kremlin plan includes a joint Russian-American missile defense radar in Azerbaijan. American officials have been cool to this idea. The United States has proposed delaying activation of the Central European sites until Iran demonstrated evidence of a genuine missile threat. The United States also offered Russia access to the sites.

Secretary Gates is in Moscow, still healing an arm that he broke in a recent slip on the ice. He joked that the injury might make it easier to negotiate with him. "We shall see," responded Dmitri Medvedev.