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[0] HEARING OF THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE SUBJECT: THE U.S. SECURITY RELATIONSHIP WITH RUSSIA AND ITS IMPACT ON TRANSATLANTIC SECURITY CHAIRED BY: REPRESENTATIVE IKE SKELTON (D-MO) WITNESSES: ALEXANDER VERSHBOW, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS; VICE ADMIRAL JAMES WINNEFELD JR., DIRECTOR FOR STRATEGIC PLANS AND POLICY, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF; PHILIP GORDON, ASSISTANT... (Part 3).

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HEARING OF THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE SUBJECT: THE U.S. SECURITY RELATIONSHIP WITH RUSSIA AND ITS IMPACT ON TRANSATLANTIC SECURITY CHAIRED BY: REPRESENTATIVE IKE SKELTON (D-MO) WITNESSES: ALEXANDER VERSHBOW, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS; VICE ADMIRAL JAMES WINNEFELD JR., DIRECTOR FOR STRATEGIC PLANS AND POLICY, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF; PHILIP GORDON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS LOCATION: HVC-210, CAPITOL VISITORS CENTER, THE CAPITOL, WASHINGTON, D.C. TIME: 10:00 A.M. EDT DATE: THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009(Part 3)

This framework is our combined vision for changing the nature of our relationship, based on the principles of pragmatism, parity, reciprocity, balance and synchronization with NATO. It will set conditions that raise cooperation to a new level between our respective armed forces, although I would echo Ambassador Vershbow in saying that this will not happen overnight.

Our interactions with Russian military officers will importantly improve their understanding of our society and lay the foundation for future relationships such as that enjoyed by Admiral Mullen and General Makarov. These two men are also committed to leading the military-to- military working group of the presidential bilateral commission to ensure that cooperative endeavors in the military realm remain on track and continue in the strategic direction that the president has mandated.

We are currently in the midst of preparing a robust and meaningful proposal for how the military-to-military commission will function, how it will be constructed, and what it will accomplish.

Meanwhile, the 2009 -- and remember, we only have six months left -- the work plan approved by Admiral Mullen and General Makarov encompasses nearly 20 meaningful and mutually beneficial exchanges and operational events. It's not as much as we would like for it to be in the future but it's a good start for the remainder of this...

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