Bush, Putin Address Iraq, North Korea, Iran, WMD
Saturday , September 27, 2003
CAMP DAVID, Md. — President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin (search) emerged from two days of "frank" talks at Camp David Saturday with a sense of agreement on issues in Iran, North Korea and Iraq.
However, while Bush lauded the personal relationship between the two leaders, there were several issues they differed on during the summit.
Bush said that he and Putin had "some very frank discussions about Iraq." The Russian president strongly opposed the war and has said that the turbulent aftermath proves he was right.
"I understood his position," Bush said. "He understood mine. Because we've got a trustworthy relationship, we're able to move beyond any disagreement over a single issue."
In his morning radio address, Bush urged world leaders to cooperate on the rebuilding of Iraq. However, he was unable to secure such a pledge from Putin. The Russian leader said that Moscow would wait until after the United Nations has decided on a U.S.-backed resolution before committing aid to Iraqi reconstruction.
The resolution calls for other countries to offer money and peacekeeping troops. Along with France and Germany, Russia is demanding a greater role for the United Nations in Iraq and a speedier timetable for ending the U.S. occupation.
The U.S. hopes to assemble an international division of 10,000 to 15,000 peacekeeping troops from India, Pakistan, Turkey, South Korea and other countries.
Bush declared himself happy with cooperation from other countries, even though he came away empty-handed from two days of diplomatic talks last week in New York.
"We had differences over Iraq in terms of the practical way of how to resolve this problem," Putin said. "But we had understanding on the essence of the problem."
While Putin insisted that the transition to Iraqi self-rule happen "as soon as possible," he pleased Bush by acknowledging the American position — that Iraqis need time to build the necessary institutions. The process "should go ahead stage by stage," Putin said.
On Iran, Bush said both leaders "share a goal and that is to make sure Iran doesn't have a nuclear weapon, or a nuclear weapons program."
Putin said Russia would "give a clear but respectful signal to Iran about the necessity to continue and expand its cooperation" with international inspectors. But, he said, "As to the joint work, we are ready to proceed."
He said Russia "has no desire and no plans to contribute in any way to the development of weapons of mass destruction, either in Iran or any other country in the world."
Nonetheless, Putin gave no indication he was willing to pull back from an $800 million deal to build a power plant in southern Iran. Bush has pressed Putin for two years to abandon the project, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (search) said last week it had found new evidence that Iran is enriching uranium.
Putin made no concessions on Iran in private, either, a senior administration official said on condition of anonymity. But the official said the Russians' willingness to nudge Iran toward IAEA cooperation is part of a pattern of small steps toward progress.
There was also slight disharmony on the issue of Washington's handling of the North Korean nuclear weapons program issue.
Bush said the United States and Russia jointly urged North Korea to "completely, verifiably and irreversibly end its nuclear programs."
But, Putin told Bush that in exchange for North Korea's dismantling of its nuclear program, the United States should give the communist country a guarantee of its security. Bush has been unwilling to make that concession.
On the issue of terrorism, Bush voiced support for Putin's crackdown in Chechnya, a sensitive issue for the Russia because of international criticism about alleged human rights violations.
Russia and the United States have been targets of terrorists, Bush said.
"No cause justifies terror," Bush added. "Terrorists must be opposed wherever they spread chaos and destruction, including Chechnya (search)." But Bush went on to say, "A lasting solution to that conflict will require an end to terror, respect for human rights and a political settlement that leads to free and fair elections."
Bush also defended tough U.S. visa policies that Putin complained were impeding legitimate travel by journalists, business people, artists and educators.
"Our intention is not to slow down visits," Bush said. "Our intention is to make sure that visitors who come are reasonable people" and not terrorists. He said the system was still being worked out.
The meeting at the presidential retreat in Maryland was intended to underscore close ties between the leaders, after earlier meetings at the White House and the president's ranch in Texas.
Efforts to increase cooperation on affordable housing, banking reform and foreign investment in Russia and on Russia's rising oil exports won praise.
Bush and Putin stressed their personal friendship and the great strides in U.S.-Russian relations in the past decade.
"I like him. He's a good fellow to spend quality time with," Bush said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
