Replies

Remember this.....

President Bush Meets with Russian President Putin at Camp David

George W. Bush, President
Remarks by the President and Russian President Putin in Press Availability Camp David
Camp David, Maryland
September 27, 2003
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all for coming. I'm proud to welcome my friend, Vladimir Putin, to Camp David. President Putin has visited the White House, he's visited our ranch in Crawford, and now he visits Camp David. I'm honored to have him here, and I appreciate the great dialogue we've had last night and today.

For decades, when the leaders of our two countries met, they talked mainly of missiles and warheads, because the only common ground we shared was the desire to avoid catastrophic conflict. In recent years, the United States and Russia have made great progress in building a new relationship. Today, our relationship is broad and it is strong.

Russia and the United States are allies in the war on terror. Both of our nations have suffered at the hands of terrorists, and both of our governments are taking actions to stop them. No cause justifies terror. Terrorists must be opposed wherever they spread chaos and destruction, including Chechnya. 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.

President Putin and I talked about expanding our cooperation in Iraq and in Afghanistan. The President and I agree that America, Russia and the entire world will benefit from the advance of stability and freedom in these nations, because free and stable nations do not breed ideologies of murder or threaten people of other lands. I was encouraged that -- that it was clear that our governments will continue to work together on this very important matter, a matter of freedom and peace.

cont ... http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/2003/24608.htm

and this .......

Bush and Putin 'best of buddies'

Thursday, 15 November, 2001, 23:57 GMT

By Rob Watson in Crawford, Texas
Just before President Vladimir Putin's arrival here on Wednesday, a large crowd had gathered in the dot on the Texas map known as Crawford.

They were there to catch a glimpse of the Russian's arrival.

Among them was a tall man with cowboy boots and hat, a real local.

Asked what he thought about the visit he paused for a second and then said he was "real excited" and that the two presidents "seemed like real good buddies".

Heart and soul

On Thursday as Presidents Putin and George W Bush swapped compliments at Crawford's - population 705 - only high school, the cowboy's assessment seemed right on the money.

Certainly they are an odd pairing, the former spy chief and the former baseball team owner. But they do seem to get along.

Using his famous Texan turn of phrase, the US President once again stressed the personal as the pupils looked on.

"The more I get to know President Putin" he said, "the more I get to see his heart and soul ...the more I know we can work together in a positive way".

more ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1659048.stm