I think ultimately you will find the problem isn't just Surkov as the chair of this commission, but the entire construct. Perhaps you feel that having a joint American-Russian commission of any sort gives you some protection. Or perhaps you find your own value in dialoguing with this Russian government concoction. I think there are many reasons to boycotting not only Surkov, but the entire project. You don't need this vehicle to raise your issues either with American counterparts or the U.S. government. My thoughts on why this commission is a bad thing: http://www.rferl.org/content/Guest_Post_Dont_Bother_With_USRussia_Working_Group/1945546.html And my answers to all the arguments people inevitably make as to why we "must" have such commissions: http://3dblogger.typepad.com/minding_russia/2010/02/commission-impossible.html