Obama Says Twitter May Replace Kremlin Red Phones

Obama jokes that Twitter may eliminate need for red phones between White House and Kremlin

ABC News, The Associated Press, WASHINGTON June 24, 2010 (AP)

President Barack Obama and Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev arrive for their joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 24, 2010. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

(AP)

President Barack Obama says Twitter accounts might eliminate the need for dedicated phone lines between Russian and U.S. leaders.

In a lighthearted moment Thursday, Obama said that both he and visiting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev use the popular social networking program.

Obama said "we may be able to finally throw away those red phones" that were designed to allow immediate contact between the Kremlin and the White House during the cold war.

Obama made the remarks at the start of a joint news conference with Medvedev at the White House.

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