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Barack Obama and John McCain debate face-to-face

27 September 2008 10:32 (UTC +04:00)

Washingtonâ€“APA. Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain debated face-to-face at the University of Mississippi for the first time, APA reports.
The debate lasted an hour and a half. The candidates exchanged views on the US financial crisis, national security problems, situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, prospects on relations with Russia. McCain stated Russiaâ€™s military intervention in Georgia caused to difficult situation.
â€œWe want to work with Russians together, but we have right to demand them to respect territories within the framework of international legal norms. I believe that â€œcold warâ€ would not return again. We should strengthen positions of our friend and allies,â€ he said.
Obama stressed impossibility of returning of â€œcold warâ€ and stated that aggressive Russia is a danger for peace and stability in the region.
â€œTheir actions in Georgia are unacceptable. We should explain Russians that it could not be a super state and dictator in 21st century,â€ he said.
Candidates of both of democrats and republicans supported Georgia and Ukraineâ€™s NATO memberships. McCain blamed Russia to impede adoption of decisions by UN Security Council against Iran. To him, establishment of â€œLeague of Democraciesâ€ will be a good way out of a situation.
â€œI have proposed to establish â€œLeague of Democracies â€œconsisting of common values, interests, ideas, as well as controlling a big part of economic power of world. These countries can impose serious sanctions against Iran,â€ he said. To him, the League can include the US, as well as Great Britain, France, Germany and other countries.
Next debate will be held on October 7.