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Bush "cautiously optimistic" about missile deal with Moscow
Washington (AFP) March 20, 2008 US President George W. Bush said in a radio interview that he was "cautiously optimistic" that a US-supported missile defense system in eastern Europe would proceed with agreement from Russia, according a transcript of the interview released Thursday. "We intend to move forward with the (missile defense system) -- and the Czech Republic and Poland for the good of NATO. Obviously it'd be -- make life easier if the Russians and the United States cooperated in such a missile defense," read a transcript of the interview, broadcast Wednesday on the US-funded Farsi-language Radio Farda. "The missile systems, defense systems, would not be aimed at Russia; they'd be aimed at nations that would, you know, try to hold the free world hostage with a nuclear weapon," he told Farda. "And so it's -- I'm optimistic. I'm cautiously optimistic. I don't know whether we can find common ground. But we are trying to find common ground, and that's what's -- that's the first step, is to make the attempt. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice "were in Russia this past couple of days talking about the very subject, as to whether or not we can find grounds to cooperate," said Bush. On Thursday, Rice and Gates told Bush their recent trip to Russia was "constructive," the White House said. Rice and Gates "briefed the president on their recent trip to Moscow and the meetings that they had there with their counterparts as well as president (Vladimir) Putin and president-elect (Dmitry) Medvedev," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino. They discussed over breakfast issues that included missile defense, counterterrorism and counterproliferation, Perino said. Rice and Gates "characterized their trip as good and constructive and the Russians are now reviewing some of our proposals," said Perino. She added: "We'll continue to have discussions" with the Russians "at various levels in the coming weeks." Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Russia studying US missile proposals after upbeat talks
Moscow (AFP) March 19, 2008Russia's foreign ministry said Wednesday it was studying written proposals from the United States aimed at allaying Moscow's concerns over Washington's missile defence plans in Europe. |
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