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Jokes can't mask disagreements between Rice, Lavrov

(AP)
Updated: 2007-05-31 14:09
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POTSDAM, Germany - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice passed a note to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a news conference, and the two diplomats shared smiles and nods as he read what she had written.

Jokes can't mask disagreements between Rice, Lavrov
Participants attend a news conference after a meeting of the "Nahost-Quartetts" (Middle East Quartet) in Berlin May 30, 2007. [Reuters]
Jokes can't mask disagreements between Rice, Lavrov
The familiarity - they offhandedly call each other Condi and Sergey - is one part of a complex relationship between the senior diplomats for two nations that are increasingly at odds.

Nicknames and jokes could not mask the disagreements between Rice and Lavrov at a pair of international meetings in Germany. They traded complaints and veiled warnings in public and had vigorous discussions in private.

"I hope Sergey is right; I hope we have taken care of the North Korean nuclear threat," Rice said with an edge of irritation in her voice during a public exchange over a planned US missile defense shield against threats from North Korea and other nations.

"I think it's a little early to declare victory on that one," Rice said.

Russia does not like the United States arranging missiles and interceptors practically at its doorstep in Eastern Europe, no matter how many times US officials say the system is not aimed at Russia.

Rice sounded exasperated at the dispute, which has escalated in recent months as US-Russian relations soured on several fronts.

To make her point that the system is intended to guard against rogue threats beyond Russia, Rice noted that Russia itself has claimed that its nuclear missiles could "overwhelm, penetrate, destroy any shield that we might build."

"We quite agree," she said.

Lavrov was not about to let her have the last word.

"I hope that nobody has to actually prove that Condi is right about that," he said darkly.

Rice and Lavrov have known one another for years, talk often and usually seem to enjoy their public appearances. Rice has said she admires Lavrov, and compliments his English as better than her Russian. She also lets it be known, however, that she does not back down during their closed-door arguments.

Lavrov can be by turns courtly and condescending. His tone on Wednesday was more threatening, as when the two sparred over the future status of Kosovo at the same press conference.

Asked if Russia would consider using its right to veto on the UN Security Council, Lavrov replied: "I hope that this won't be necessary and that our partners will understand our arguments."

The direct language was riveting in a setting where bland, prearranged statements are the norm, and Rice apparently wanted to lower the temperature.

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