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Russia human rights may become problem for reset with US — Spencer Oliver

After the re-election of Obama the US foreign policy will hardly change, Secretary-General of PA of OSCE said

WASHINGTON, November 9 (Itar-Tass) — The observance of human rights in Russia can become a “potential problem” for the implementation of the policy of “reset” after the re-election of Barack Obama as the US President, Secretary-General of the Parliamentary Assembly (PA) of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Spencer Oliver said in Washington on Thursday.

He said that in his view, after the re-election of Obama the US foreign policy will hardly change. He added that he nevertheless sees some problems with human rights in the world, particularly in Russia, where there is pressure on civil society. Potentially, this could pose a problem for the implementation of the ‘reset’ policy in relations between Moscow and Washington, he stated.

At the same time, the Secretary-General of the OSCE PA believes that Obama’s victory in the election “is a positive factor for NATO in particular, in terms of implementation of the policy in Afghanistan, Iraq and Africa.” He believes that the current president does a lot to unite the alliance. According to him, “In recent years we have had little disagreements and we knew what to do.”

Head of the OSCE observer mission at the US election Joao Soares agreed with Oliver. He also believes that “the US new approach to relations with Russia will be an important issue.” Touching upon international relations in general, Soares drew attention to the existence of the “human factor.” In particular, he said, “Much will depend on who takes the post of the Secretary of State and Defence Secretary in the US administration.”