Medvedev wants strong relationship with Obama

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview broadcast Thursday that he hopes for a normal working relationship with US President-elect Barack Obama. Last week, as congratulations poured in to Obama from around the world on his election victory, Medvedev gave a stern warning about US plans to base missile defense units in Eastern Europe. On Thursday, however, the Russian leader softened his tone. "I've had a good conversation with (Obama). I hope that it'll be possible to build normal partner relations with the new administration," he said in an interview with French journalists ahead of his trip to France for a key summit with the European Union.