March 3, 2009 - Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) today responded to reports that President Obama has sent a letter to President Medvedev that suggests the U.S. may trade missile defense in Europe in exchange for Russian cooperation on the Iranian nuclear program.

“I have not seen the letter so I can only comment on current reports. It would be derelict to trade our most cost-effective means of defending the U.S. homeland, and U.S. interests abroad, for the hope that Russia may be able to convince Mr. Amadinajad to suspend the Iranian Republic’s nuclear program." Franks stated.

"The U.S. government has been clear with Russia. The European Ballistic Missile Defense System does not pose a threat to Russia; it defends Americans and Europeans. I absolutely welcome Russian cooperation to convince the Iranians to halt their nuclear program. It is clear that we need global pressure and all the help from our friends and allies we can get. But a friend of the United States would not ask us to enter a proverbial boxing ring with our hands tied behind our back. We need a way to defend ourselves. And that is the purpose of the European Missile Defense Site.”

Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday in Geneva to further discuss U.S.-Russian relations.