[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 23 (Monday, June 9, 2003)]
[Pages 704-708]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

[[Page 705]]

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 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

[[Page 706]]

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 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.

Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction

    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 vote

[[Page 707]]

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.
    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

[[Page 708]]

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.