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2/6/07

NCTime: Russia's foreign minister says U.S. is probably 'most difficult' partner - by STEVE GUTTERMAN

For the complete report in the NCTimes.com click on this link

Russia's foreign minister says U.S. is probably 'most difficult' partner - by STEVE GUTTERMAN

Russia's foreign minister said the United States was perhaps Moscow's "most difficult" partner and urged Washington to learn from its mistakes on the world stage, according to a news report on Sunday. Sergey Lavrov also blamed Washington for impasses in the Middle East, suggesting the U.S. approach there was too confrontational, Interfax news agency reported.

"Like any other country, we are interested in having good, smooth, clear relations with the United States" but it is "not easy," Interfax quoted Lavrov as saying in an interview on state-run television.While Moscow and Washington have been able to "achieve mutually acceptable results" on many issues, the United States "is not an easy partner at all -- probably the most difficult partner," he said.

The remarks reflected the troubled ties between the former Cold War foes, despite avowals of common aims on matters such as terrorism and weapons proliferation. Relations have been strained by disagreements over an array of international issues as well as Russia's record on democracy under President Vladimir Putin.

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