Bush downplays Putin's criticism of US (Roundup)

Feb 14, 2007, 17:59 GMT

Washington - US President George W Bush acknowledged Wednesday disagreements between the United States and Russia on key international issues but emphasized the mutual interests the two countries have in confronting international challenges.

Bush's comments were his first public remarks since Russian President Vladimir Putin's harshly criticized US foreign policy at a defence conference in Munich.

'There's a lot we can work together on,' Bush said of his relationship with Putin, pointing to both countries' desire to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

'It's a complicated relationship. It's a relationship in which there are disagreements,' Bush said at a news conference at the White House. 'But there's also a relationship in which we can find common ground to solve problems.'

Bush credited Putin's government for voting in favour of UN Security Council sanctions in December to punish Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment, and said Russia was 'constructive' in the six-nation talks with North Korea that produced an agreement on Tuesday aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear activities.

During a speech Saturday, Putin accused the United States of fomenting a 'very dangerous' environment in the world by overly relying on military force.

'Today we are witnessing an almost uncontained hyper-use of military force in international relations,' Putin said.

Putin also criticized the eastward expansion of NATO that has brought the alliance closer to Russian borders. Bush said he has tried to convince Putin that the enlargement of NATO was 'positive' because it represents the growth of democratic governments.

'Democracies on your border are good things to have,' Bush said, adding: 'I firmly believe NATO is a stabilizing influence for the good.'

'Evidently, he disagrees with that assessment,' Bush said.

The Bush administration has been critical of Putin's 'backsliding' on the development of democratic institutions and crackdown against Russian media. Washington and Moscow, despite working together on Iran, have sharply disagreed over how to bring Tehran into compliance with international rules on its nuclear activities.

In an initial reaction after Putin's remarks over the weekend, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the administration was 'surprised and disappointed with President Putin's comments. His accusations are wrong.'