    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [September 27, 2003]
    [Pages 1201-1206]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With President Vladimir Putin of Russia at 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 dialog
    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

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    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 it is clear that our Governments will continue to work together on
    this very important matter, a matter of freedom and peace.
        The President and I also discussed ways to broaden Russian-American
    military cooperation. We're determined to improve our joint ability to
    fight terror, to keep peace in troubled regions, and stop the spread of
    weapons of mass destruction. We strongly urge North Korea to completely,
    verifiably, and irreversibly end its nuclear programs. We strongly urge
    Iran to comply fully with all of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-
    Proliferation Treaty. We're seeking to intensify our missile defense
    cooperation, because both of our countries are threatened by outlaw
    regimes that could be armed with deadly weapons.
        We welcome the growing economic relationship between our two
    countries. We will continue to work together to expand cooperation in
    the energy sector. We recognize lower trade barriers and mutual
    investment will benefit both our nations. American and Russian officials
    are meeting more often and discussing broad range of issues.
        Old suspicions are giving way to new understanding and respect. Our
    goal is to bring the U.S.-Russian relationship to a new level of
    partnership. I respect President Putin's vision for Russia, a country at
    peace within its borders, with its neighbors, and with the world, a
    country in which democracy and freedom and rule of law thrive. Because
    of the President's vision and his desires, I'm confident that we'll have
    a strong relationship which will improve the lives of our fellow
    citizens as well as help make the world more peaceful.
        Mr. President, welcome.
        President Putin. Thank you very much. Good afternoon, ladies and
    gentlemen. First of all, I would like to cordially thank the President
    of the United States of America, Mr. Bush, for his invitation. Our host
    has created, beginning yesterday, a very relaxed and tranquil atmosphere
    conducive to having a calm and open, very frank talk on the major
    problems and on the broader picture of relations between Russia and the
    United States.
        Our talks today have once again confirmed that our relations are
    based on a clear vision and a clear understanding of special
    responsibility of Russia and the United States for ensuring
    international security and strengthening strategic stability. We have
    convinced--we have proven once again that our partnership is not subject
    to political dealmaking.
        Despite all the difficulties that we have to overcome, the spirit
    and the basic principles of our relationship have remained the same,
    mutual confidence, openness, predictability, and consideration, and
    respect of interests of each other. We value very much the level of
    relationship that we have reached with the United States.
        According to already established tradition, President Bush and I
    have focused on specific issues. And fight against terrorism continues
    to be among priorities of our cooperation. I agree with the assessment
    that the President of the United States has just given. In this sphere,
    we act not only as strategic partners but as allies. Our agencies are
    conducting an open and professional dialog on the entire range of
    questions in this sphere, including attempts by terrorist organizations
    to commit new terrorists' acts and to gain access to weapons of mass
    destruction.
        We have also discussed today about the implementation of provisions
    of the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions. After

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    the ratification of the treaty, its implementation, in our assessment,
    is going successfully. We intend to take this work under our control in
    the future as well.
        Russia and the United States intend to pursue close cooperation for
    strengthening international regimes and nonproliferation mechanisms. We
    discussed in detail the situation around nuclear programs of Iran and
    North Korea. In our--it is our conviction that we shall now give a clear
    but respectful signal to Iran about the necessity to continue and expand
    its cooperation with IAEA.
        As to the North Korean nuclear problem, I believe that the primary--
    the priority now is to unblock the conflict situation around the Korean
    Peninsula to create a favorable climate, favorable atmosphere for a
    constructive dialog. And Russia believes that ensuring nuclear
    nonproliferation regime should be accompanied by extending to North
    Korea guarantees in this sphere of security. We intend to continue our
    joint work with the United States in resolving this issue.
        I would like to stress separately the situation around Iraq. Our
    countries, just like the entire international community, have a common
    task, to ensure the speediest possible settlement and normalization of
    the situation in Iraq. We want to see Iraq a free, democratic, and
    united state. We believe that in solving the very difficult problems
    that the people of Iraq are facing today, an important role shall be
    played by the provisional Governing Council of Iraq, along with the
    Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
        We also talked about the situation in the Middle East. And we
    believe that there is no reasonable alternative to consistent
    implementation of the roadmap.
        Significant attention during the negotiation was paid to Russian-
    American cooperation in trade and economic sphere. I would like to
    remind you that in the first 6 months of 2003, the volume of Russian-
    American mutual trade has increased more than by one-third. It's a good
    platform for future progress.
        There is also good grounds for future cooperation in energy sphere.
    We are also improving cooperation in the sphere of information and
    communication technologies and in the exploration of space.
        And in conclusion, I would like to draw the primary result of our
    negotiations. We have succeeded in reaching substantial progress on the
    way of forming the relations of real and mutually respectful partnership
    between Russia and the United States. I would like to thank President
    Bush for his constructive approach and for his interest in the
    discussion of all the questions, of all the issues that we have touched
    upon. This was a very useful meeting.
        President Bush. Thanks. We'll take a couple of questions here, two
    per side.

    Iran and the IAEA/Russian Stance on Iraq

        Press Secretary Scott McClellan.
    Jennifer [Jennifer Loven, Associated Press], with the AP.
        Q. Yes, sir. You mentioned that you talked about Iran. Did you
    receive any specific commitments from President Putin that Russia would
    stop selling nuclear technology to Iran?
        And to Mr. Putin, did you--are you ready to make any commitments now
    to contribute either troops or resources in Iraq? And if not, what will
    help you to get there?
        President Bush. We share a goal, and that is to make sure Iran
    doesn't have a nuclear weapon or a nuclear weapons program. We also
    understand that we need to work together to convince Iran to abandon any
    ambition she may have, ambitions toward the development of a nuclear
    weapon. What's important is we understand it's in our national interest
    that Iran doesn't develop a nuclear weapon.
        So the most important thing that came out of these meetings was a
    reaffirmation of our desire to work together to convince Iran to abandon
    her ambitions, as well as

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    to work with other nations so that there is a common voice on this
    issue. You heard the President say that the IAEA process must go
    forward. We firmly agree. I found this part of our discussions to be
    very satisfactory, from the U.S. point of view.
        President Putin. We indeed paid much attention to this issue. I
    would like to reiterate that Russia has no desire and no plans to
    contribute in any way to the creation of weapons of mass destructions,
    either in Iran or in any other spot, region in the world. I would like
    to reiterate that we comply firmly with the provisions of the Non-
    Proliferation Treaty, because this course is in our national interest.
        As to the joint work, we are ready to proceed. As to our possible
    participation in the normalization of the--in the settlement in Iraq, in
    the normalization of life in Iraq, Russia is interested in seeing it
    occurring as soon as possible.
        At the same time, we understand that this is a very complicated
    process that should be based on a solid legal and administrative base
    and should go ahead stage by stage. The degree and the extent and level
    of Russia's participation in the restoration of Iraq will be determined
    after we know the parameters of the resolution--of the new resolution on
    Iraq.

    Russia-U.S. Relations/U.S. Visa Policy

        Q. First question, addressed to both Presidents. There is an opinion
    that Russian-American relations have, nevertheless, a declarative
    character. Have you given any specific instructions to your Governments
    the--as you discussed it in your communique?
        President Bush. Yes. Da.
        Q. And the second question----
        President Bush. No, we only got one question, please. You've already
    asked two, one to me and one to him. Now you want to ask four, two to me
    and--no, forget it.
        Q. Two parts----
        President Bush. Oh, two parts of the same question?
        Q. Because my colleague asked two questions, on Iraq and Iran--
    [laughter]--[inaudible].
        President Bush. Yes, okay. [Laughter] I knew she set a bad
    precedent. [Laughter]
        Q. So the next question is for you, Mr. President Bush. Sir, the
    question is, as you know, as you probably do know, Mr. President, that
    visa practices implemented by your embassies abroad, including by your
    Embassy in Russia, with respect to those people who would like to travel
    to the United States, and that does not add sympathies to--does not add
    sympathies. And do you know that even journalists who came here to cover
    your visit had to undergo a special interview at the Embassy in Moscow?
    And do you expect any changes to take place in these practices?
        And as a followup question, does my question--will my----
        President Bush. No wonder you got interviewed. [Laughter]
        Q. And as a followup question, can I be assured that my question
    will not lead to a denial of visa for me, personally? [Laughter]
        President Bush. That's right. No. Nyet. [Laughter] No, the President
    raised the issue of visas. He expressed concern that our visa policy was
    cumbersome and didn't expedite the travel of legitimate journalists and
    business people and artists and educators. Our intention is not to slow
    down visits. Our intention is to make sure that visitors who come are
    reasonable people. What is happening is, is that policy--visa policy
    changed after September the 11th, 2001, and we're trying to make it as
    modern and as efficient as possible. And we've got some work to do.
        And it was so long that you asked your first question, I'll try to
    remember what it was. Oh, yes. Yes, we've got a checklist of things we
    need to work through. In other words, we understand that it's one thing
    to set a strategic vision for our relationship, but there must be
    practical consequences of the relationship. We're tasking

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    different agencies and agencies' heads with discussions and action plans
    that we will be able to monitor.
        President Putin. Regarding declarative character of the relations
    between Russia and the United States, where do, as we say in Russia,
    legs grow; where do such questions come from? This happens because
    people expect from us constantly some kind of revolutions. Now, just
    positive development in the relationship is no longer sufficient for
    them. I would like to point your attention that due to rapprochement
    between Russia and the United States, we manage to establish and to
    create in the world an atmosphere and trust--of trust and strategic
    stability.
        This had very practical results, including in such sensitive areas
    as combating terrorism. I have never said this in public. I'm going to
    do it today. When counterterrorist operation began in Afghanistan, we
    were approached by people through several channels--we were approached
    by people who intended to fight against Americans in Afghanistan. And if
    by that time President Bush and I had not formed appropriate
    relationship, as we have--so no one knows what turn would the
    developments in Afghanistan had taken. You know what was the Russia's
    position, and it helped to a great extent to achieve further results
    that we have achieved in Afghanistan and was for a very good purpose.
        I have just said that in only 6 first months of this year, the
    volume of our mutual trade has increased by more than one-third. We are
    talking about Russia's balanced policy in the world energy sphere. We
    conduct a very high-level energy dialog with the United States,
    including at the very top level. And it's difficult to say what prices
    would be now--how high prices for fuel in international energy markets
    would be now, if we had not had such dialog.
        We continue to pursue cooperation in such sensitive areas as space.
    And it is indeed so that upon the results of today's meeting, we have
    compiled a checklist of different issues on which we have given
    instructions to specific agencies in our Government. That is why our
    cooperation is not declarative but extremely concrete and pragmatic.
        President Bush. The next questioner will ask one question, in
    defiance to the precedent-setting by the AP reporter.
        Press Secretary McClellan. Caren [Caren
    Bohan], with Reuters.

    Support for Iraqi Reconstruction

        Q. Mr. President, are you disappointed that more countries have not
    come forward with pledges of aid for Iraq's reconstruction?
        President Bush. I am pleased with the amount of cooperation we're
    receiving, a coalition of nations inside of Iraq working hard to bring
    security to that country as well as to help rebuild a country. I
    recognize that some countries are inhibited from participation because
    of the lack of a U.N. resolution. We are working to get a satisfactory
    resolution out of the U.N. We spent some time discussing that today.
        As well there will be donor conference--a donor conference that we
    will be attending and look forward to getting more participants. It is
    in the national interest of free nations that Iraq be free and peaceful.
    And one of the things that interested me about Vladimir's comments was
    that he recognizes that we cannot allow power vacuums to exist into
    which rogue nations will enhance their capacity to hurt free nations.
        So our message is twofold: On the one hand, it's in the interest of
    nations to work for a secure and peaceful Iraq; and secondly, it's in
    our moral interest to help the Iraqi people get back on their feet after
    living under such tyranny. Remember, we discovered torture chambers,
    rape rooms, and mass graves where children and women as well as men had
    been brutalized and buried.

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    Russia-U.S. Relations

        Q. The question is for both Presidents. Now we can state that
    despite differences over Iraq, these differences have not led to the
    worsening of relations either between you, personally, or between our
    two countries. How can it be explained? Due to what reasons did it
    actually happen?
        President Bush. Trust. Listen, I--Vladimir and I had some very frank
    discussions about Iraq. I understood his position. He understood mine.
    But because we've got a trustworthy relationship, we're able to move
    beyond any disagreement over a single issue. Plus, I like him. He's a
    good fellow to spend quality time with.
        President Putin. Thank you, George, for your warm words. I would
    like to confirm everything that has been said by the President and to
    send him a response.
        I would like to add just one thing. There are two reasons why such
    problems between our states and between us, personally, have not
    emerged. We had differences over Iraq in terms of practical ways how to
    resolve this problem, but we had understanding on the essence of this
    problem. And the second and the most important point, fundamental
    interests of our two countries are much more solid, are much stronger
    than the developments that you have just mentioned. And in our actions,
    we wish to be guided by these strategic interests of our two countries
    without excessive emotions or ambitions.
        Thank you.
        President Bush. Good job. Thank you.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 11:04 a.m. In his
    remarks, President Putin referred to Ramiro Armando de Oliveira Lopes da
    Silva, acting U.N. Special Representative for Iraq. President Putin
    spoke in Russian, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.