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Bush, Putin agree to restrict weapons


Arm-in-arm as they wrap up a day of meetings, President Bush and Russia's President Vladimir Putin depart a news conference Thursday in Bratislava, Slovakia.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
David Jackson Dallas Morning News

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – President Bush and Vladimir Putin disputed the course of democracy in Russia on Thursday at a sometimes contentious news conference, even as they cut a new deal to restrict nuclear weapons and agreed to maintain their political partnership.

Putin, saying some lack “full knowledge” and “full understanding” of events in his country, said Russia remains committed to democracy, but it “should not be accompanied by the collapse of the state and the impoverishment of the people.”

Declaring that democracies need the rule of law, protection of minorities, a free press, and a viable political opposition, Bush said: “I was able to share my concerns about Russia’s commitment in fulfilling these universal principles.”

“I did so in a constructive and friendly way,” he added.

During the somewhat testy but diplomatic exchanges, Putin said he would “pay due attention” to some of Bush’s suggestions.

“Some other ideas,” he added, winking at Bush, “I will not comment on.”

Bush under pressure to discuss rights violations

Meeting in a medieval castle overlooking the icy Danube River, the two presidents came together amid global worry that Putin is becoming more of an autocrat than a democrat.

Bush, meanwhile, is under some pressure to prove that his sweeping call for global liberty applies to friends like Russia and Saudi Arabia as much as to enemies like Iran and North Korea.

While the leaders of former Cold War rivals re-affirmed their friendship, signs of tension permeated the castle’s ancient stone and brick walls. Bush cited “frank discussions;” earlier this week, a Bush aide called the term “frank” an euphemism for things not going so well.

For example: Bush and Putin agreed that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon, but disagreed about the purposes of Iran’s nuclear energy program – one Russia is assisting.

The two leaders were also unable to resolve the question of Russian missile sales to Syria.

The two men trumpeted their new security agreement designed to keep nukes away from terrorists. The deal would upgrade security at Russian nuclear plants and develop new procedures for responding to possible attacks.

Another agreement places new restrictions on shoulder-fired missiles. In addition, Bush said he would continue to support Russian entry into the World Trade Organization, and accepted a May 9 invitation to visit Moscow for the 60th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s final victory over Nazi Germany.

Putin’s war on terror draws international ire

In recent years, the Putin government has arrested prominent media and business people in Russia. He and allies said they violated the law; skeptics see the arrests and other harassment as efforts to silence or intimidate critics or potential rivals.

The Russian war against Chechnya has the drawn international ire. Putin said that, like the United States, he is fighting terrorism, including last year’s school standoff that ended in the deaths of hundreds of children.

Bush has been among those who criticized Russia for interfering with elections in former Soviet satellites. For his part, Putin accused the United States and other westerners of meddling in the last year’s disputed vote in Ukraine.

There are reports that Russian lawyers are studying ways to change the law and allow Putin to seek a third term; that question probably won’t be answered until the current term ends in 2008.

Some analysts, including members of the Bush administration, note Russia cannot become a successful democracy overnight, not after centuries of despotism; many Russians blame democracy for glaring wealth gaps, a new class of super-rich against rising rates of poverty.

Putin is probably America’s best bet for a decent transition, these analysts said.

Putin said, “any kind of turn towards totalitarianism for Russia would be impossible” because the people have accepted democracy – “this is our final choice, and we have no way back.”

Critics have noted that regional governors in Russia will now be appointed, not elected. Putin said regional parliaments must ratify those leaders, comparing it to the Electoral College in American elections.

“It is not considered undemocratic, is it?” he asked.

Common interests outweigh differences

Analysts said Bush and Putin get more out of getting along. Putin wants to sell goods to western markets, and would like U.S. friendship as a counterweight with China; the Bush administration wants Russian help in the war on terrorism and also sees Russia as a major emerging market.

James Lindsay, director of studies with the Council on Foreign Relations, said, “this is why it’s easier to give speeches about liberty and freedom than it is to produce them.”

It’s not like Bush could do much about Russia anyway.

Not only do Russians tend to rally around leaders who are criticized abroad, Lindsay added: “President Putin has made it clear he has no plans to take political direction from Washington or anyone else.”