    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [July 2, 2007]
    [Pages 904-908]
    [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
    Kennebunkport
    July 2, 2007

        President Bush. First, I'd like to congratulate President Putin for
    being the only person that caught a fish today. I wanted to congratulate
    the President for being the only person that caught a fish. It was a
    fine catch. Secondly, I welcome you to my family home.
        And we had a good, casual discussion on a variety of issues. You
    know, through the course of our relationship there have been times when
    we've agreed on issues, and there's been times when we haven't agreed on
    issues. But one thing I've found about--of Vladimir Putin is that he is
    consistent, transparent, honest, and is an easy man to discuss our
    opportunities and problems with.
        We talked about nuclear security and made great strides in setting a
    foundation for future relations between the United States and Russia in
    dealing with the nuclear security issues. We talked about our bilateral
    relations; we talked about our--the relations with countries like Iran
    and North Korea. We had a very long, strategic dialog that I found to be
    important, necessary, and productive.
        And so I welcome you, Vladimir. Thanks for coming.
        President Putin. I would like to congratulate us with the good work
    done.
        First of all, I would like to thank the hosts for their invitation
    and President Bush for this invitation. Indeed, we had a very nice
    fishing party this morning. We caught one fish, but that was a team
    effort----
        President Bush. A team effort----
        President Putin. ----and we let it go to the captain of the boat--
    [laughter]----
        President Bush. Very thoughtful of you. [Laughter]
        President Putin. ----the 42d President of the United States.
    [Laughter]
        President Bush. That's right.
        President Putin. As for the negotiations, negotiations were very
    substantial. We discussed basically the entire gamut of both bilateral
    issues and international issues. George listed practically all issues
    that we've touched upon. And I was pleased to note that we are seeking
    the points of coincidence in our positions and very frequently we do
    found them. And I'm very grateful to the Bush family for this very warm,
    homey atmosphere around this meeting, and we appreciate it very much.
        I do believe that we have to learn something from the older
    generation. And the attitude shown both to me and to the members of my
    delegation was way beyond the official and the protocol needs. And
    additionally, we had an opportunity to have a look at this part of the
    United States, a fantastic place. We've seen the warmth and the very
    positive attitude of the people around here and use this opportunity to
    say to them that we appreciate their warmness, and we are grateful for
    their very warm reception of us.
        Mind you, the fish that we caught, we've let it free. [Laughter]
        President Bush. A couple of questions. Tony,
    you going to call on them? Hold on a second, please. Please. Tony.
        White House Press Secretary Tony Snow. Deb
    Riechmann [Associated Press].
        President Bush. Deb, yes.

    Iran/Missile Defense System

        Q. Mr. President, I have a question for either one, or both of you.
        President Bush. Either one of us, okay--or both of us.
        Q. Both of you. For you, sir: Were you successful in getting
    President Putin's support for tough sanctions, like cargo inspections,
    against Iran?

    [[Page 905]]

        President Bush. We spent a lot of time talking about the Iranian
    issue, and we both agree--excuse me, go ahead. We spent a lot of time
    talking about the Iranian issue. I am concerned about the Iranians'
    attempt to develop the technologies, know-how, to develop a nuclear
    weapon. The President shares that--I'm a little hesitant to put words in
    his mouth, but I think he shares that same concern. After all, this is
    an issue we've been talking about for about 6 years.
        And I have come to the conclusion that when Russia and America
    speaks with, you know, along the same lines, it tends to have an effect.
    And therefore, I appreciate very much the Russians' attitude in the
    United Nations. I have been counting on the Russians' support to send a
    clear message to the Iranians, and that support and that message is a
    strong message. And hopefully, we'll be able to convince the regime that
    we have no problems with the people in Iran, but we do have a problem
    with a regime that is in defiance of international norm.
        Q. But are you--[inaudible].
        President Bush. Hold up a second, please. You're more impatient than
    I was.
        And so we discussed a variety of ways to continue sending a joint
    message.
        And, by the way, one other issue that I didn't mention in my opening
    my-- comments that I think you'll find interesting--is that President
    Putin proposed a regional approach to missile defense; that we ought to
    work together bilaterally, as well as work through the Russia-NATO
    Council. And I'm in strong agreement with that concept.
        That's all I've got to say, Deb. Have you got something else you
    want to say?

    Iran

        Q. Well, I still would like to know----
        President Bush. Oops! You just got wedged out, sorry.
        Q. I still would like to know if you're far apart on how tough the
    sanctions should be.
        President Bush. We're close on recognizing that we've got to work
    together to send a common message.
        Q. Okay.
        President Putin. So far, we have managed to work within the
    framework of the Security Council, and I think we will continue to be
    successful on this track. Recently, we've seen some signals coming from
    Iran with regard to interaction, cooperation with the IAEA. Mr. Solana
    also brings us some very--some positive data and information. I think
    all of this would contribute to further, substantial intercourse on this
    issue.

    Missile Defense System

        Q. Mr. Putin made a proposal for antiballistic missile cooperation
    between Russia and the United States. And you called it ``interesting.''
    In which direction your cooperation? And this question--[inaudible].
        President Bush. Yes.
        Q. And what role of European countries do you see in this
    cooperation? And if it is no breakthrough in the foreseeable future,
    maybe it's a time to make a pause? Thank you.
        President Bush. Yes, thanks. It's more than an interesting idea,
    it's an idea that we're following up on through consultative meetings,
    which we've started. And as I told you, the President made a very--I
    thought--very constructive and bold strategic move, and that is: Why
    don't we broaden the dialog and include Europe, through NATO and the
    Russia-NATO Council? I don't know if you want to expand on that or not.
        President Putin. Oh, I have to answer that too? As President Bush
    has already said, we do support the idea of the continued consultations
    on this score. At the same time, we do believe that the number of the
    parties to this consultation could be expanded through the European
    part--countries who are interested in resolving the issue. And the idea
    is to achieve this through the forum of the Russia-NATO cooperation--
    Council.

    [[Page 906]]

        But our proposal is not limited to this only. We propose
    establishing an information exchange center in Moscow. We've agreed on
    that a few years back; it's time now to put this decision into practice.
    But this is not yet all. A similar center could be established in one of
    the European capitals, in particular, in Brussels, for example. This
    could have been a single system that would work online.
        In this case, there would be no need to place any more facilities in
    Europe--I mean, these facilities in Czech Republic and the missile base
    in Poland. And if need be, we are prepared to involve in this work, not
    only the Gabala radar, which we rent from the Azerbaijanis--if
    necessary, we are prepared to modernize it. And if that is not enough,
    we would be prepared to engage in this system also a newly built radar,
    early warning system in the south of Russia.
        Such cooperation, I believe, would result in raising to an entirely
    new level the quality of cooperation between Russia and the United
    States. And for all practical purposes, this would lead to a gradual
    development of strategic partnership in the area of security.
        As for the Europeans, well, it's their choice; each and every
    country will have to decide whether it wants to be part of the system or
    not. But if it would--it would be clear to even a layman, if a country
    doesn't decide in a strategic partnership, this choice would determine
    the position of any country both in economic terms and on the political
    arena in the final analysis, in the long term.
        Therefore, I'm confident that there will be interested partners or
    parties in Europe.
        Mr. Snow. Caren Bohan [Reuters].

    U.S.-Russia Relations/Democracy in Russia

        Q. Thank you. Mr. President, 6 years ago, you seemed to have formed
    a bond with President Putin, when you said you had gotten a sense of his
    soul. Do you still feel that you trust him? And how troubled are you by
    the political freedoms--the state of political freedoms in Russia?
        And President Putin, do you appreciate advice from Washington about
    democracy in Russia?
        President Bush. Here's the thing: When you're dealing with a world
    leader, you wonder whether or not he's telling the truth or not. I've
    never had to worry about that with Vladimir Putin. Sometimes he says
    things I don't want to hear, but I know he's always telling me the
    truth. And you don't have to guess about his opinions, which makes it a
    lot easier to do--to find common ground.
        And so you ask, do I trust I him? Yes, I trust him. Do I like
    everything he says? No. And I suspect he doesn't like everything I say.
    But we're able to say it in a way that shows mutual respect.
        Take missile defense. He just laid out a vision. I think it's very
    sincere. I think it's innovative. I think it's strategic. But as I told
    Vladimir, I think that the Czech Republic and Poland need to be an
    integral part of the system. And the only way I know how to find common
    ground on complicated issues is to share my thoughts, and that's what he
    does with me. And so I've had a very constructive relationship.
        Obviously, you know--I'll let him talk about his view of democracy,
    but I will tell you, at the G-8 in St. Petersburg, he did a very
    interesting thing. You might remember the dinner when you said:
    ``Anybody who has got any doubts about democracy, ask me questions.''
    And I remember part of my discussions with him about whether or not
    the--you know, how--the relations between the Government and the press,
    you'll be amazed to hear. He strongly defends his views, and you can
    listen to him yourself, right now. But ours is a relationship where I
    feel very comfortable bringing up and asking him why he's made decisions
    he's made.
        President Putin. Speaking of common democratic values, we are guided
    by the idea and principle that these are important

    [[Page 907]]

    both for you and for us. In the last 15 years, Russia undergone a very
    serious transformation. It has to do with changes in the political
    system and in the economic system as well.
        Of course, it has considerable social repercussions and
    consequences. All of this taken together has determined the way our
    transition and our society has been developing and forming. Even in the,
    shall we say, sustainable democracies, mature democracies, we see
    basically the same problems; the same issue that they have to deal with.
    It has to do with the relationship with the media; it has to do with
    human rights and the right for private life being beyond the control of
    the Government and the state. If you remember how Larry King tortured
    the former CIA Director, you would also understand that there are some
    other problems and issues, as well, in this world. [Laughter] And I
    cannot even repeat all the things that were said then.
        We have common problems. And we are prepared to listen to each
    other. The only thing that we would never, never accept is these tools--
    this leverage being used to interfere into our domestic affairs to make
    us do things the way we would do not see fit. In our dialog, in our
    contacts with President Bush, we always discuss these things, and he
    says it frankly and straightly, and we are always constantly engaged in
    the dialog geared to making things better in Russia and elsewhere.
        I do not always agree with him, but we never engage in paternalism.
    We do not assume mentors tone. We always talk as friends.
        President Bush. Yes.

    U.S.-Russia Relations

        Q. Also, since, for you both, this is your final year in office,
    what do you think----
        President Bush. Not mine. I got more than a year.
        Q. Yes.
        President Bush.  Anyway, nice try. [Laughter]
        Q. But since 2008----
        President Bush. Yes.
        Q. ----elections year for both of you----
        President Bush. Right.
        Q. ----do you believe that--are you going to meet after you are not
    Presidents any more? Or is this your final meeting?
        President Bush. Yes, thank you.
        President Putin. I do believe that our relationship developed
    normally--not bad--and they are being strengthened every time we meet.
    And the relationship between Russia and the United States is entirely
    different than that between the United States and the Soviet Union. And
    we are not--we do not look at each other through the sights of our
    weapons systems. And in this, I fully agree with my colleague, President
    Bush.
        As for the future, as I already mentioned, we are now discussing a
    possibility of raising our relations to an entirely new level that would
    involve a very private and very, shall we say, sensitive dialog on all
    issues related to international security, including, of course, the
    missile defense issue.
        If this is to happen, I would like to draw your attention to this:
    The relations between our two countries would be raised to an entirely
    new level. Gradually, our relations would become those of a strategic
    partnership nature. It would mean raising the level of our--and
    improving the level of our interaction in the area of international
    security, thus leading to improved political interaction and cooperation
    with a final effect being, of course, evident in our economic relations
    and situation.
        Well, basically, we may state that the deck has been dealt, and we
    are here to play. And I would very much hope that we are playing one and
    the same game.
        President Bush. I think we'll see each other in Australia. Secondly,
    I know we'll be talking on the phone because there's a lot of issues
    that we are working together on, which is part of the legacy of this
    relationship, and that is that it's in the U.S.

    [[Page 908]]

    interest to keep close relations with Russia, and that when it comes to
    confronting real threats, such as nuclear proliferation or the threat of
    radicalism and extremism, Russia is a good, solid partner.
        Russia has made some amazing progress in a very quick period of
    time. One of the first conversations I had with Vladimir Putin was about
    Soviet-era debt. This is a country with no debt. It's got solid
    reserves. It's a significant international player. It's got a growing
    middle class. It's--for those old Russian hands who remember what it was
    like, there's an amazing transformation taking place. Is it perfect in--
    from the eyes of Americans? Not necessarily. Is the change real?
    Absolutely. And it's in our interests--in the U.S. interests to have
    good, solid relations with Russia. And that's what Vladimir and I have
    worked hard to achieve.
        And we're going to go continue those relations with a lunch. So
    thanks for coming.
        President Putin. Of course, we will continue our relations in the
    future. Today's fishing party demonstrated that we have a very similar--
    we share the same passion--that is, passion.

    Vice President Richard B. Cheney

        Q. Is Cheney a member of the executive branch?
        President Bush. I didn't hear you.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:28 p.m. at Walker's Point. President
    Putin referred to European Union Foreign Minister Javier Solana
    Madariaga; Cable News Network talk show host Larry King; and former
    Central Intelligence Agency Director George J. Tenet. President Putin
    and some reporters spoke in Russian, and their remarks were translated
    by an interpreter.