    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [June 7, 2007]
    [Pages 705-707]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and an Exchange With Reporters in
    Heiligendamm
    June 7, 2007

        President Bush. Vladimir and I just had a very constructive dialog,
    particularly about missile defense. He expressed his concerns to me. He
    is concerned that the missile defense system is not an act that a friend
    would do. He made some interesting suggestions. As a result of our
    discussions, we both agreed to have a strategic dialog, a opportunity to
    share ideas and concerns between our State Department, Defense
    Department, and military people.
        This will be a serious set of strategic discussions. This is a
    serious issue, and we want to make sure that we all understand each
    other's positions very clearly. As a result of these conversations, I
    expect there to be better understanding of the technologies involved and
    the opportunities to work together.
        I told Vladimir we're looking forward to having him up to my folks' place in Maine
    the beginning of July. And we'll be able

    [[Page 706]]

    to continue our discussions, our bilateral discussions on a variety of
    issues.
        President Putin. I'd like to confirm what the President of the
    United States has just said, except for one thing: I have not said that
    friends do not act in this way. [Laughter] We have an understanding
    about common threats, but we have differences. The difference is ways
    and means in which we can overcome these threats. We considered the
    proposal by the American side very thoroughly, and we have ideas of our
    own. I have stated these ideas in a thorough way.
        The first proposal is to use the radar station rented by us in
    Azerbaijan, which is entitled ``Gabala.'' Yesterday I had a conversation
    of this matter with the President of Azerbaijan. The existing agreement
    with Azerbaijan makes it possible for us to do this, and the President
    of Azerbaijan stressed that he will be only glad to contribute to the
    cause of global security and stability.
        We can do it automatically, in an automatic regime. And in this
    case, the system, which is to be constructed, can cover not only part of
    Europe but the entire Europe without any exception. This will fully
    exclude the possibility for the missile debris to fall on European
    states because they will fall in the ocean. This will make it possible
    for us not to change our stance on targeting our missiles. On the
    contrary, this will create necessary grounds for common work.
        But this work should be multifaceted with the engagement of states
    concerned in Europe. And we agreed with George that our experts will
    start doing it as soon as possible. This will make it impossible--
    unnecessary for us to place our offensive complexes along the borders
    with Europe. And this will make unnecessary to place the appropriate
    American complexes in the outer space.
        But we hope that these consultations will not serve as cover--to
    cover some unilateral actions, and I have told George about that.
    Because as soon as a country, for instance, Iran, carries out the first
    test of its long-range missile, our reconnaissance means and American
    reconnaissance means will register this immediately. Three--five years
    will be necessary from the first test until the systems are operational.
    This time is fairly enough to deploy any ABM system. Therefore, no
    matter how long our talks are going on, we will never be late. The major
    thing for these negotiations is that they should be viewed and should
    take into account joint interests in the security area.
        I'm grateful to the President of the United States for a
    constructive dialog today.
        President Bush. We'll answer one question apiece. Toby [Tabassum
    Zakaria, Reuters]. Then we got to go to a meeting.

    Missile Defense System

        Q. President Putin, are you saying now that you do not consider the
    missile defense issue a serious threat to your country anymore? And were
    you satisfied with what President Bush presented to you in this meeting?
        President Putin. I think that if we work together to overcome the
    threats we are discussing today and if we take into account the concerns
    of each other, if we make this work transparent and if we provide for an
    equal access to the system, then we'll have--through the management of
    this system--then we will have no problems. And I'm, of course,
    satisfied with the spirit of openness in which we discussed this problem
    today on behalf of President of the United States.

    Russia-U.S. Relations

        Q. My question is to both Presidents. In your today's dialog, what
    was more: constructive things, or rather differences? What's prevailed?
        President Bush. Well, you just heard that, the desire to work
    together to allay people's fears. There's a lot of people who don't like
    it when Russia and the United States argue, and it creates tensions.
    Russia is a

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    great country, and so is the United States. It's much better to work
    together than it is to create tensions.
        Good. Thanks. See you later.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:07 p.m. at the Kempinski Grand Hotel
    Heiligendamm. President Putin referred to President Ilham Aliyev of
    Azerbaijan. President Putin spoke in Russian, and his remarks were
    translated by an interpreter.