Published: June 29, 2009 08:40 am      

Coble visiting Russia through July 1

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Relations between the United States and Russia will be the main topic of conversation for seven members of the House of Representatives, including U.S. Rep. Howard Coble, who will travel to Moscow to meet with their Russian counterparts. The congressional delegation will travel to Russia from June 27 until July 1.

The trip is being led by Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs committee. The congressional delegation will meet with members of the Russian parliament, known as the Duma. Among the topics of discussion will be arms control, missile defense, European security architecture and particularly the issue of Iran. The group will meet with U.S. Ambassador John Beyrle. Additional meetings are scheduled with other governmental and non-governmental organizations. One particular topic of discussion will be international adoptions.

“I appreciate Chairman Berman inviting me to join his delegation trip to Moscow,” Coble said. “I am particularly interested in learning more about Russia’s efforts in cracking down on illegal Internet piracy and copyright violations. Russia is one of the world’s hotbeds of such illegal activity, and I am hoping to have some serious conversations about Russia’s official efforts to thwart piracy and other violations.”

Coble has been asked by Chairman Berman to take the lead in the meeting with the chairman and deputy chairman of the Duma’s Committee for Families, Women nd Children. The discussion topic will be humanitarian issues. The Deputy Chairman is also the Deputy Speaker of the Russian Duma.

The group departed Washington, D.C., on June 27 and will return to Washington on July 1. Coble will return to North Carolina on July 2 for scheduled events during the remainder of the congressional district work period.

In addition to Coble, others participating in the trip include Reps. William Delahunt (D-MA), David Scott (D-GA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Brad Miller (D-NC) and Albio Sires (D-NJ). The group is using commercial airlines because U.S. military aircraft are being charged with discriminatory air navigation fees by the Russian government.