ID :
11867
Tue, 07/08/2008 - 12:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/11867
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Bush, Medvedev agree N. Korea, Iran must give up nuke programs
TOYAKO, Japan, July 8 (Kyodo) - U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday they have agreed that North Korea and Iran must give up their nuclear programs,though they failed to narrow their differences over the U.S. missile defense plan for Eastern Europe.
The two leaders met for the first time since Medvedev succeeded Vladimir Putin as president in May just prior to the beginning of the three-day Group of Eight summit in the Lake Toya resort area of Hokkaido.
Personal ties between them appeared warm, with Bush calling his Russian counterpart ''a smart guy'' and Medvedev referring to Bush as ''George.''Medvedev said there are matters on which he and Bush agree, including ''the matters pertaining to Iran and North Korea'' -- the need to stop the two countries pursuing their nuclear ambitions.
North Korea produced a long-awaited list of its nuclear activities late last month, raising the prospect of progress in the six-party talks on ending Pyongyang's nuclear drive.
Iran, meanwhile, has been continuing its uranium enrichment activities in defiance of United Nations Security Council calls on the country to halt them, denying allegations it is seeking to make nuclear weapons and insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful power generation.
''Iran is an area where Russia and the United States have worked closely in the past and will continue to work closely to convince the regime to give up its desire to enrich uranium,'' Bush said.
Speaking to reporters, however, the U.S. and Russian leaders also admitted they have differences to be resolved, especially on Washington's plan to erect missile defense shields in Eastern Europe.
''Certainly, there are other issues with respect to European affairs and this missile defense where we have differences,'' Medvedev said. ''We would like to agree on these matters.''The United States is scheduled to sign a treaty this week with the Czech Republic to build a missile defense radar station there. Washington is also negotiating to place 10 interceptor rockets in Poland that it says will protect the United States and its European allies from threats from ''rogue states'' such as Iran.
Arguing that the shield is a threat, Russia has warned it will aim its nuclear missiles at central Europe if the shield is erected. The United States has pointed out that the 10 rockets are no match for Russia's nuclear arsenal.
In addition to the row over missile defense, there are other outstanding issues between Washington and Moscow. They include U.S. concerns about the rule of law and democracy in Russia and rising tensions between former Soviet satellite Georgia and Russia.
Despite these differences, both leaders emphasized the importance of continuing to collaborate with each other where possible.
''While there are some areas of disagreement, there are also areas where I knowwe can work together for the common good,'' Bush said.
Medvedev said, ''What is really important is that the dialogue is there, and there is a commonality on the overview of various things between us.''
The two leaders met for the first time since Medvedev succeeded Vladimir Putin as president in May just prior to the beginning of the three-day Group of Eight summit in the Lake Toya resort area of Hokkaido.
Personal ties between them appeared warm, with Bush calling his Russian counterpart ''a smart guy'' and Medvedev referring to Bush as ''George.''Medvedev said there are matters on which he and Bush agree, including ''the matters pertaining to Iran and North Korea'' -- the need to stop the two countries pursuing their nuclear ambitions.
North Korea produced a long-awaited list of its nuclear activities late last month, raising the prospect of progress in the six-party talks on ending Pyongyang's nuclear drive.
Iran, meanwhile, has been continuing its uranium enrichment activities in defiance of United Nations Security Council calls on the country to halt them, denying allegations it is seeking to make nuclear weapons and insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful power generation.
''Iran is an area where Russia and the United States have worked closely in the past and will continue to work closely to convince the regime to give up its desire to enrich uranium,'' Bush said.
Speaking to reporters, however, the U.S. and Russian leaders also admitted they have differences to be resolved, especially on Washington's plan to erect missile defense shields in Eastern Europe.
''Certainly, there are other issues with respect to European affairs and this missile defense where we have differences,'' Medvedev said. ''We would like to agree on these matters.''The United States is scheduled to sign a treaty this week with the Czech Republic to build a missile defense radar station there. Washington is also negotiating to place 10 interceptor rockets in Poland that it says will protect the United States and its European allies from threats from ''rogue states'' such as Iran.
Arguing that the shield is a threat, Russia has warned it will aim its nuclear missiles at central Europe if the shield is erected. The United States has pointed out that the 10 rockets are no match for Russia's nuclear arsenal.
In addition to the row over missile defense, there are other outstanding issues between Washington and Moscow. They include U.S. concerns about the rule of law and democracy in Russia and rising tensions between former Soviet satellite Georgia and Russia.
Despite these differences, both leaders emphasized the importance of continuing to collaborate with each other where possible.
''While there are some areas of disagreement, there are also areas where I knowwe can work together for the common good,'' Bush said.
Medvedev said, ''What is really important is that the dialogue is there, and there is a commonality on the overview of various things between us.''
