    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [June 1, 2003]
    [Pages 579-583]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With President Vladimir Putin of Russia in St. Petersburg, Russia
    June 1, 2003

        President Putin. We've just signed and exchanged instruments of
    ratification of the Russian-U.S. treaty on strategic reductions. The
    treaty has come into force. Yet again, we've demonstrated that the
    United States and Russia are true champions of the mutually advantageous
    cooperation on the basis of partnership, openness, and transparency.
        Such a declaration is also conducive to greater strategic stability
    and international security. Having committed themselves to reduce their
    strategic capabilities by a factor of three, our two countries
    reiterated that they continue on the course of strategic reduction and
    improvement of stability.
        The strategic reduction treaty also improves the regime of
    nonproliferation. And this is all the more appropriate in the context of
    the fight against international terrorism, the terrorists who are trying
    to acquire all kinds of weapons security, including weapons of mass
    destruction, to pursue their goals. We now must work on the
    implementation of that treaty.
        The bilateral implementation commission will be established. The
    already existing bilateral mechanism between Russia and the United
    States will continue their work on the widest possible agenda of
    interaction, including strategic weapons, nonproliferation, and missile
    defense. The relevant instructions have been made to our experts

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    of the two countries in accordance with the joint statements reached
    between the two countries on new and continued strategic partnership.
        Our meeting between the President of the United States and myself is
    taking place at a very crucial juncture of the development of the world,
    where very dangerous and complex events develop. This current summit
    meeting yet again confirmed the fact that there is no alternative for
    the cooperation between Russia and the United States, both in terms of
    ensuring our domestic national agendas and in terms of cooperation for
    the sake of enhanced international strategic stability.
        We agreed with the President to continue our efforts in terms of
    enhancing international stability, fight against terrorism, and ensuring
    better strategic stability. We also agreed to continue our bilateral
    cooperation in the area of economy and other fields.
        Of course, we are aware of the questions being raised as to whether
    the relations between the United States and Russia will withstand the
    test of time. Today we reiterated, together with President Bush, our
    resolve to continue with our strategic partnership for the benefit of
    our nations and the entire world. I must say that the fundamentals of
    the relations between the United States and Russia turned out to be
    stronger than the forces and events that tested it.
        President Bush and I formulated instructions that cover the specific
    and practical aspects of furtherance of the dialog in all areas of our
    comprehensive agenda. We agreed to expand our communication channels,
    including through our Presidential administrations and other agencies.
    We also discussed economic issues. Our experts are in contact while
    discussing these issues, and we will facilitate such contacts and
    discussions.
        The task here is quite clear. What we want is to create a solid
    economic basis for the continued political dialog and cooperation. We
    discussed the need to improve and establish an appropriate investment
    climate and improve our cooperation in the international organizations,
    including economic organizations. Space remains the vital part of our
    cooperation, and we have confirmed this fact in our joint statement.
        Summing up, I would like to stress that the relations between the
    United States and Russia is not an isolated but global political event
    and phenomenon. It is important that this cooperation serves bringing
    together the world community in the face of global threats. And in
    conclusion, I would like to say that the nature of our conversation was
    quite frank and quite informative and comprehensive.
        I would like to thank President Bush for coming to Russia and to St.
    Petersburg, especially in these festive days in St. Petersburg. For me
    personally, this is a special sign, and I am very appreciative of that.
    Thank you.
        President Bush. I'm honored to be here, Mr. President. I'm honored
    to be with my good friend Vladimir Putin. This is the third time I've
    been to this beautiful city, and I want to congratulate you on a
    successful 300th anniversary celebration. Last night's celebrations were
    fantastic. It was a beautiful evening.
        Today we mark an important achievement in the relations between the
    United States and Russia. President Putin and I have just exchanged
    instruments of the ratification for the Treaty of Moscow, which will
    reduce both our nuclear arsenals to the lowest level in decades. This
    treaty reflects the new strategic relationship that is emerging between
    our nations. This treaty was founded on mutual respect and a common
    commitment to a more secure world.
        We are working closely to confront the challenges of our time. Both
    of our countries have suffered greatly at the hands of terror, and our
    Governments are taking action against this threat.
        We are going to win the war on terror by cooperation as well as
    providing security and hope for innocent people. That's why

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    I support the goals of ending the fighting and suffering in Chechnya and
    reaching a lasting political settlement in that region.
        The United States and Russia are also determined to meet the threat
    posed by weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them. We
    strongly urge North Korea to visibly, verifiably, and irreversibly
    dismantle its nuclear weapons program. We are concerned about Iran's
    advanced nuclear program and urge Iran to comply in full with its
    obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. President Putin
    and I intend to strengthen our own cooperation on missile defense, which
    is essential to the security of both our nations.
        The United States appreciates Russia's recent support for lifting
    U.N. sanctions on Iraq, and we both agreed that the United Nations must
    play a vital role in Iraq's reconstruction. We discussed ways we can
    work together to help build a better future for the people of Iraq.
        President Putin and I also discussed the growing economic
    relationship between our countries. And these ties will expand
    significantly as Russia opens to the world economy and qualifies for
    membership in the World Trade Organization. I assured the President that
    I will continue to work with Congress and firmly committed to remove
    Russia from the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. The United
    States and Russia are working together to ensure that Russia's energy
    sector can fulfill its potential in world energy markets.
        Our relationship is broad. We greatly appreciate Russia's support of
    the International Space Station following the loss of our Space Shuttle
    Columbia. We are committed to continue to work together for the good of
    the world.
        President Putin and I have agreed to expand and strengthen high-
    level contacts and communications between our two Governments. I invited
    the President to come to the United States for a visit in September, to
    visit at Camp David.
        In a recent address to the Russian Duma, President Putin committed
    to working for a sustainable democracy in Russia where human, political,
    and civil rights will be fully ensured. That is the vision of a strong
    leader. With that vision, there's no question in my mind that Russia
    will fulfill its potential for greatness. And as you do so, Mr.
    President, you'll have the friendship of the United States.
        Thank you.
        Moderator. Two questions on each side. The first question goes to
    the U.S. side.
        Moderator. Terry Hunt of the Associated Press.

    Iraq

        Q. Thank you. Mr. President, are there any new developments in the
    search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? Have any actual weapons
    been found? And to both of you leaders, can you say, do you see eye-to-
    eye on Iraq now and its oil?
        President Bush. The first part of your question is that--is whether
    or not--the weapons of mass destruction question. Here's what--we've
    discovered a weapons system, biological labs, that Iraq denied she had,
    and labs that were prohibited under the U.N. resolutions.
        Vladimir can speak to the issue of the future of Iraq, at least his
    opinion of the future. But my opinion is, is that we must work together
    to improve the lives of the Iraqi citizens, that we must cooperate
    closely to make sure that the Iraqi infrastructure is in place so that
    the Iraqi citizens can live decently.
        And as to the energy sector, the Iraqi people will make the decision
    which is in their best interest. Russia has had a long history of
    involvement in Iraq, and the Iraqi authorities, when they are firmly in
    place, will make the decision based upon that experience and based upon
    their country's best interests.
        President Putin. As you are aware, Russia has voted in favor of the
    latest U.N. resolution on Iraq. It didn't abstain. It didn't

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    vote against it. We view it as a serious step forward in working in
    practical terms on these issues, including within the United Nations and
    also, of course, together with the United States.
        I must admit, our experts worked quite well and arrived at a
    solution acceptable to all. I do believe that the cooperation will
    continue to expand and develop, including in the area of disarmament.
    But we also believe that we must go on in our relationship. And we must
    also continue thinking in these terms, also including as regards Iraq. I
    am in absolute solidarity with what President Bush has said in terms of
    letting the people of Iraq decide their own destiny and assisting them
    in achieving better and more honorable conditions of living.
        Incidentally, the resolution also contains language devoted to the
    future development within Iraq. Indeed, Russian companies have a wealth
    of experience operating in Iraq. And we intend to continue our
    cooperation in this area with Iraq and in Iraq, and including with
    international community, making available to the international community
    all our expertise, experience, and resources. We cannot exclude that our
    companies will be operational in Iraq; it will all depend on its
    internal development, including within the framework of oil-for-food
    program.
        As for the future and the future development of investment projects,
    well, indeed, this is a matter for the future and for our future
    cooperation with all the international community, with our U.S. friends,
    and of course, with the future authorities in Iraq.

    Russia-U.S. Relations

        Q. First question is for two Presidents. Did the difference between
    Russia and United States weaken the relationship and cooperation between
    the two countries? And the question to President Bush is whether the
    United States will continue to act in such a manner as it acted in Iraq,
    by going around the United Nations?
        President Bush. Well, first of all, I don't think we went around the
    United Nations. I remind you we had what's called Resolution 1441. We
    worked through the United Nations. As a matter of fact, I think this
    experience will make our relationship stronger, not weaker. As we go
    forward, we will show the world that friends can disagree, move beyond
    disagreement, and work in a very constructive and important way to
    maintain the peace.
        President Putin. Strange as it may sound, but during--despite all
    the differences between our two countries around Iraq, we did not only
    manage to preserve and maintain our personal relationship but also to
    preserve our mutual cooperation and interaction between our two
    countries and even strengthen it.
        Given all the difficulty of the situation, we were trying to tread
    very carefully and to cherish and preserve both international aspect to
    our cooperation and personal aspect to our interaction and contacts. I
    saw it done by President Bush in a very extremely professional manner,
    with great respect of the opinion of the others and of myself. I was
    trying to do the same. And today's meeting is a proof of the fact that
    we have succeeded in that.
        Moderator. Steve Holland, Reuters.

    Iran

        Q. Mr. President, you mentioned the Iranian nuclear program. Were
    you able to persuade President Putin to stop assistance to Iran's
    nuclear program, and how big a threat is Iran?
        President Bush. Russia and the United States have mutual concerns
    about the advanced Iranian nuclear program. We understand the
    consequences of Iran having a nuclear weapon. And therefore, we want to
    work together as well as with the IAEA to insist that they not have a
    nuclear weapon. And I appreciate Vladimir Putin's understanding of the
    issue and his willingness to work with me and others to solve this
    potential problem.

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        President Putin. I'll add a few words if I may.
        President Bush. Sure.
        President Putin. The positions of Russia and the United States on
    the issue are much closer than they seem. We need no convincing about
    the fact that the weapons of mass destruction proliferation should be
    checked and prevented throughout the world. It is true not only with
    regard to Iran but also with regard to other regions of the world. We
    have full understanding on this with President Bush, similar to our
    mutual understanding of many other international development problems.
        We have many points of coincidence of our views on many issues. And
    it is precisely these things that enable me to call President Bush my
    friend, not only personally--because personally I do like him a lot--but
    as my counterpart and the President of a friendly nation.
        To repeat, we have many points on which we see eye-to-eye on many
    aspects of international development. As for Iran--and I repeated that
    during today's meeting and discussion--we are against using the pretext
    of nuclear weapon program of Iran as a leverage in--as an instrument of
    unfair competition against us. And we will continue working together
    with all, including the United States, with the view to preventing
    proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction anywhere in the world,
    including of course in Iran.
        Moderator. And the final question.

    War on Terrorism

        Q. First of all, this is a question directed to President Putin. Do
    you believe that there are any questions that remain that are
    irresolvable? And what can we do more together, more cooperatively, in
    international way, to combat terrorism?
        President Putin. I don't even think that we have ever had any
    insurmountable problems that cannot be overcome. There are always
    problems. They become more or less visible or obvious; much depends on
    us as to how do we address those problems and issues. The most important
    thing is the presence or absence of a will to address those. President
    Bush and I do have such a will. And we will do our best to achieve such
    a state where the points of coincidence would grow in number, and we
    will have fewer points of divergence and problems and issues of content.
    And this trend will become even more efficient and effective should we
    have assistance and a helping hand from the mass media. [Laughter]
        Thank you.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 10:07 a.m. at Konstantin
    Palace. President Putin spoke in Russian, and his remarks were
    translated by an interpreter.