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Bush, Putin Hail Passage of U.N. Resolution on
Iraq
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Sea Island, Georgia)
June 8, 2004
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT PUTIN OF RUSSIA
IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Dunbar House
Sea Island, Georgia
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.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir.
(end text)
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