US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Friday in Geneva. Ms. Clinton gave Mr. Sergei a button that read "reset" in English, and what was meant to be the translation in Russian. Instead, the Russian word chosen meant "overcharge" or "overload."
(Fabrice Coffrini/Pool/AP)Photos (1 of 1)
Clinton looks to ‘reset’ US-Russia relations
Clinton met with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and stressed improving ties between the two countries.
By Fred Weir | Correspondent 03.06.09
MOSCOW – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov officially pressed the “reset button” on the frozen Russia-US relationship at a Geneva tete-a-tete Friday evening, but the reboot is likely to be lengthy and troubled.
It didn’t help that a button Ms. Clinton gave Mr. Lavrov, meant to be a symbolic gift with a Russian-language label reading “reset,” actually said “overcharge,” in an apparent translation error.
Ms. Clinton’s first real chance to chat with her Russian counterpart – the two met briefly at a conference in Egypt last Monday – took place over dinner, and the agenda was all about taking the temperature and sketching out areas of agreement for Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitri Medvedev to follow up at their first encounter on the sidelines of next month’s G-20 summit in London.
“We are entering into our renewed relationship with our eyes open,” Clinton said before meeting Mr. Lavrov. “We think there are a number of areas where there could be cooperation … there are also areas where we strongly disagree.”
Russia’s foreign ministry echoed her tone. “We are waiting with cautious optimism the outcome of these talks,” it said in a statement Friday. “We expect good results.”
One obstacle was removed when, following a tough internal debate at a Brussels meeting on Thursday, NATO agreed to restore normal relations with Moscow seven months after shutting them down amid outrage over Russia’s summer war with the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia.
The items that should be relatively easy for Clinton to discuss with Lavrov include efforts to establish a stable supply route through former Soviet territory for NATO’s military mission in Afghanistan and starting up negotiations for a new accord to replace the soon-to-expire Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START. (Read the Monitor’s report on the expected negotiations to replace START here.)
Russian experts say the US has little choice but to turn back toward Moscow in its efforts to handle an increasingly volatile and crisis-plagued world. “We’re doomed to work together for stability,” says Sergei Kazyennov, an expert at the official Institute of International Relations and World Economy in Moscow. “We already know our differences and limitations, but there’s no alternative but to press ahead.”
But thornier issues could block the way, particularly differences over how to deal with Iran’s alleged drive to obtain nuclear weapons. Russia has ruled out any deal that might involve stopping its lucrative arms and nuclear energy trade with Teheran, but insists it’s willing to work with Washington in search of a diplomatic solution.
Another is US plans to station anti-missile weapons in Poland, a prospect that makes the Russians see red.
“If the United States’ original plan on deploying this shield in Europe is somehow reviewed … we would regard this as an excellent sign,” Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s official spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, told a Russian state radio Friday. “This is what we have been talking about from the very start.”
If not, Russia has already indicated that it’s ready to ratchet up nuclear tensions by stationing Iskander medium-range missiles in its Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad.
Another potential trouble spot is Washington’s support for admitting the ex-Soviet republics of Georgia and Ukraine into NATO, a position Clinton reaffirmed Friday. “We do not recognize any sphere of influence on the part of Russia, or their having some kind of veto power over who can join the EU or who can join NATO,” she said.
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2. wayland rogers | 03.07.09
Hello?! What an embarassement! Come on! can’t the plebs in the offices of our Secretary of State do better than to screw up a simple translation from English to Russian. It can’t be that difficult! Who are the morons responsible for this? The fate of the world depends on communication between nations; let’s take a little bit more care in our language skills!!!!!
3. swampy | 03.07.09
I thought she was the smartest woman In America. She should have asked Condaleeza Rice how to translate to Russian. Can you imagine the uproar from the left, if Condaleeza had made such an idiotic error. People making such gestures
of Diplomacy should have the competency to make certain that it’s in the correct context. All we’re hearing everyday, is “We inherited this”. Well,… The past two Presidents, as well as a Democratic Congress, were complicit in this, and we don’t need excuses. We need solutions, and so far, I don’t see anything but a bunch of tax cheats from Chicago.
4. Josephine | 03.07.09
It is a good thing anytime nations strive for peace. She is lighting a candle in the dark, it is better than cursing the dark.
6. mary | 03.07.09
Talking with open eyes is the key for the United States must understand we are talking with Moscow not Soviet Union or red army; this country can help for taking will get the ball rolling. Will things at the end work out?Time will tell open eyes and talking. What is the best for all involve?
7. Jim Bencivenga | 03.07.09
Does anyone think Russia is going to negotiate in good faith with the Obama administration?
8. Curtis | 03.09.09
The mistake sounds a little bit like “Ich bein ein berliner” they make mistakes… they are only human. But i believe that it is good we are “overcharging” 
our realtions with Russia because it is a country of great wealth and nows how to get things done. And america, now in this economic problem, could learn a thing or two from them.
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1. Jay | 03.06.09
Serves her right. This gratuitious swipe at the Bush administration’s handing of Russia blew up in her face. Stick to diplomacy, Hill, and leave the politics to Rahm and Co.