Camp David, Md. — U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Iran and North Korea on Saturday to stop their suspected nuclear-weapons programs.
The leaders, standing by each other at a news conference after two days of talks, also said they looked forward to building a free, democratic Iraq despite differences over the U.S.-led war.
Mr. Bush, speaking about Iran, said: “We share a goal, and that is to make sure that Iran doesn't have any nuclear weapon or a nuclear-weapons program.”
The United States and Russia, he said, “also understand that we need to work together to persuade Iran to abandon any ambitions she may have.”
U.S. President George W. Bush walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin after their press conference at Camp David on Saturday. (Stephen Jaffe/AFP)
“What's important is we understand that it's in our national interests to ensure that Iran doesn't develop a nuclear weapon,” Mr. Bush said.
Mr. Putin said the United States and Russia want to send “a clear but respectful signal to Iran” to increase its co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the world body that oversees nuclear non-proliferation.
Addressing both Iran and North Korea, Mr. Bush said: “We strongly urge North Korea to completely and verifiably and irreversibly end its nuclear programs.
“We strongly urge Iran to fulfill all of its obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.”
Despite differences over the Iraq war, Mr. Bush and Mr. Putin stressed their strong relationship.
“I'm honoured to have him here and I appreciate the great dialogue we had last night and today,” Mr. Bush said.
It was their first meeting in four months, since they held talks in St. Petersburg, Russia, and at an economic summit in France.
They met after a week of U.S. efforts to encourage other countries to help the U.S.-led effort in rebuilding Iraq.
Despite a lack of pledges from other countries, Mr. Bush said he was not disappointed.
“I recognize that some countries are inhibited from participating because of a lack of a resolution” from the United Nations to authorize other countries to send troops.
“We're working to get a satisfactory resolution out of the UN,” he said.
As for U.S.-Russian differences over the war, Mr. Bush said they were able to move beyond disagreement on a single issue.
“Plus I like him. He's a good fellow to spend quality time with,” Mr. Bush said.
Mr. Putin said “we have differences over Iraq” on the practical ways to address the problem, but “we have an understanding on the essence of the problem.”
Mr. Putin, who strongly opposed the war, has expressed distress over the continuing conflict and demanded a greater UN role in the reconstruction.
On Iran, Russia has lucrative contracts to help build an $800-million (U.S.) power plant in the southern part of the country.
The White House contends that Russian technology is helping Tehran develop nuclear weapons and contribute to the proliferation of unconventional weapons. Russia and Iran insist the aid is going only for electricity production, and Mr. Putin has shown no willingness to give up the business.
The Russian President sees the Chechnya war as part of his own battle against terrorism. U.S. opposition to Moscow's military campaign against separatists eased after Mr. Putin offered support for the U.S.-led fight against terrorism.
A State Department official said that the topic was among the most troubling issues in advance of the Camp David talks. The comments infuriated the Russians.
Mr. Putin has accused the United States of holding secret talks with rebel representative Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, former president of Chechnya, who lives in Qatar.
As for U.S.-Russian relations, Russia's oil resources are an area of potential co-operation. U.S. officials see rising Russian oil exports as an alternative to volatile Middle Eastern supplies.
Elsewhere, the U.S. administration has tried to satisfy Moscow over restrictions, imposed in 1974, to expedite the emigration of Jews from the Soviet Union to Israel. Mr. Bush has asked Congress to lift them as vestiges of the Cold War, although legislators have not acted because of disputes over the Iraq war and U.S. poultry exports.
