[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
[June 8, 2004]
[Pages 1012-1013]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following Discussions With President Vladimir Putin of Russia at Sea Island
June 8, 2004

    President Bush. I always enjoy talking to my friend Vladimir Putin. 
He's a strong leader who cares deeply about the people of his country 
and understands the issues that we face. We just had a long discussion 
about a variety of issues. And I had the opportunity to thank him for 
working together on important issues such as the United Nations Security 
Council resolution.
    The vote today in the United Nations Security Council was a great 
victory for the Iraqi people. The international community showed that 
they stand side by side with the Iraqi people. The U.N. Security Council 
resolution supports the interim government, supports free elections, and 
supports the multinational force. America supports strongly the idea of 
a free society in the midst of hatred and intolerance, and I appreciate 
your help, Vladimir, on getting that Security Council resolution through 
today.
    It is my honor to welcome Vladimir to 
Georgia, and it is my pleasure to continue to work with you as we make 
sure our relations are as close as they possibly can be.
    President Putin. Thank you. First of all, I would like to thank the 
U.S. President for having invited me to such a wonderful place. Indeed, 
we had a very thorough discussion which pertained to virtually the 
entire spectrum of the U.S.-Russia relationship.
    I have congratulated the U.S. President with the positive change 
currently underway with the U.S. economy, which has to be acknowledged 
as his merit. And this happens with the background of the unreasonable 
growth for costs and pricing for the energy resources. We're all 
interested in these positive changes, because in the contemporary world 
of today, when we live, it is important for all of us that the U.S. 
economy improves--for the entire world, for Russia included.
    I'd like to point out the fact that our relationship has been 
developing all across the board, including such sensitive areas as the 
military cooperation.
    Now, as regards the adoption of the United Nations Security Council 
resolution, without any exaggeration I would state that it is a major 
step forward. And I hope I will express the view which is held by all 
members of the Security Council that, indeed, we have witnessed a very 
constructive dialog which was in progress over the past few days in this 
area. And this is not

[[Page 1013]]

about passing a new document in the Security Council regarding Iraq. 
This is about a quality change in the status in Iraq and with regards to 
the presence of the military troops there. This is about a quality 
change of the impact the United Nations have over the situation in Iraq. 
Naturally, it will take quite a long time before this adoption of the 
document will have any impact on the real change on the ground in Iraq.
    But we can convincingly and comfortably state that the situation is 
ripe for adopting such a serious and such a concrete document concerning 
this country. If prior to this document it was primarily the burden and 
the responsibility which was upheld by the United States with regards to 
this country, it seems now it will be the Iraqi government themselves 
who will have the whole spectrum of the sovereignty rights which will be 
enjoyed by them, with a major influence now to be exercised by the 
entire world community with regards to the situation in that country.
    Therefore on this occasion, I would like to congratulate the U.S. 
President with this achievement and to express our wish that the 
situation is going to be changing in a better way there.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir.

Note: The President spoke at 5:41 p.m. at Dunbar House. President Putin 
spoke in Russian, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.