Russian lawmakers hail Obama's victory

Moscow, Nov 5 (UNI) Russian lawmakers have hailed the historic victory of Mr Barack Hussain Obama, expressing hope that there will be a more balanced US administration under his Presidency.

The Deputy Chairman of the State Duma (the lower house) Defence Committee Igor Barinov told mediapersons Russia can hope for more US accommodation on issues such as Iraq and missile defence under Mr Obama when the Democrat is forced to focus on domestic problems as President next year.

Mr Barinov said he believed the Obama administration would cut back on military operations in Iraq and on the missile defence system planned to be based in Eastern Europe.

He predicted Obama's victory would herald a warming of US relations with Russia and ''a constructive approach to resolving issues where we could not find common ground with the previous administration.'' The Deputy Chairman of the Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee Andrei Klimov said Mr Obama faced a difficult task, and would have to face the new realities facing the US.

''These are the global financial crisis, the depletion of America's resources, and divisions in US society,'' Mr Klimov said.

''If he continues to hold the idea that America is the world leader, he will exhaust the resources of America, and divide American society,'' he added.

Mr Barinov also saw a reduced military role for the US. ''The outgoing administration has continued to allocate essential funds to missile defence, Iraq and Georgia,'' he said, stressing, ''These expenditures will be reduced.'' He also judged Mr Obama's views on Russia to be more nuanced and considered than both the Republican candidate John McCain and President George W Bush.

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