Bush, Putin Discuss Iran's Nuclear Program

BUSH, PUTIN DISCUSS IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM
U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their "lobster summit" at the Bush family home in Kennebunkport, Maine, on July 2. RFE/RL quoted Bush as saying in a joint press conference with Putin that their meeting allowed them to make "great strides" in laying the foundation for future U.S.-Russian relations on nuclear-security issues. Bush also praised Putin for openness. "Through the course of our relationship, there have been times when we've agreed on issues, and there have been times when we haven't agreed on issues," Bush said. "One thing I've found about Vladimir Putin is that he is consistent, transparent, honest, and is an easy man to discuss our opportunities and our problems with." Putin said the talks were "very substantial," covering "the whole gamut of bilateral issues and international issues" and finding some points of agreement. Bush said they spent a lot of time discussing Iran's nuclear program and agreed that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons. "This is an issue that we've been talking about for about six years, and I have come to the conclusion that when Russia and America speak along the same lines, it tends to have an effect," Bush said. "And, therefore, I appreciate very much the Russian attitude in the United Nations." Bush added: "I have been counting on the Russian support to send a clear message to the Iranians, and that support and that message is a strong message, and hopefully, we will be able to convince the regime that we have no problems with the people in Iran, but we do have a problem with a regime that is in defiance of international norms." Putin said Washington and Moscow "have managed to work together" on the Iranian nuclear issue in the UN Security Council and that he hopes and expects this cooperation will continue. JB