President Bush, President Putin Discuss Iraq
Remarks by the President and President Putin of Russia in Photo Opportunity
Dunbar House
Sea Island, Georgia
5:41 P.M. EDT
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 multi-national 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.
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: (As translated.) 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 dialogue which was in progress over the past few days in
this area. And this is not 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 regard 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.