REDS DIDN'T GET THE MEMO - AT 9:24 P.M. ET:  Well, as Laurel & Hardy used to say, this is a fine mess.

No sooner than we stab our East European allies in the back by pulling missile defense, in order to appease the Russians, than the Russians show us their deep gratitude.  From AFP:

The new missile plan from US President Barack Obama's administration raises questions and Moscow is waiting for Washington to explain its intentions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.
"The statements that are constantly being voiced raise more questions than answers," Lavrov told reporters during a visit to the Moldovan capital for a summit of ex-Soviet countries.

"We would like to receive full clarification," Lavrov added, referring to the plan presented by the Obama administration last month to replace an older plan backed by George W. Bush that would have placed missile defence facilities in eastern Europe.

Moscow and Washington are now holding talks so Russia can "understand the configuration" of the new missile defence system, Lavrov said, but he added that reports of some US proposals were raising eyebrows in Moscow.

He said a recent US report that the United States might include Ukraine in its missile defence plans was "rather unexpected."

COMMENT:  Next time we make a concession to the Russians, maybe we'd better negotiate it, to be sure there's a concession in return.  Right now we're looking for something Moscow has given us for dropping missile defense in Poland the Czech Republic.  Maybe there's a rebate check in the mail, or a free printer, or something.

If you hear, let me know.

October 9, 2009