Nuclear disputes, democratic change in ex-Soviet states top Bush-Putin agenda

By ANNE GEARAN
.c The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) – President George W. Bush and Russian President
Vladimir Putin agree on how the world should confront the development
of nuclear weapons in North Korea, an original member of Bush’s “axis
of evil.”

They disagree over how to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions and have
long-running differences over the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. Bush’s
famous list of international outlaws included those nations, too.

Bush was expected to argue at his meeting with Putin on Friday that
Iran deserves to be summoned to the U.N. Security Council to account
for what the United States contends is a record of nuclear deceit.

Putin has grievances over what Russia views as U.S. slights and double
standards in its support for democracy movements on former Soviet
turf. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Russian leader was
getting a view of the U.S. in a vulnerable moment.

Putin was quoted soon after the flooding in New Orleans as saying he
could not believe the images he saw came from the powerful United
States.

At their first meeting in months, Bush and Putin also were expected to
raise their differences over what the Americans consider the creep of
authoritarian rule in Russia and discuss Putin’s current leadership of
the Group of Eight industrial nations.

Bush and Putin call one another friend. Their bond was forged largely
after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when Russia delivered help in the
fight against terror.

The political relationship has frayed with each passing year. Nuclear
nonproliferation, however, has proved an area of considerable
cooperation.

On North Korea, the United States and Russia are among five nations
negotiating in unison to persuade the communist North to give up its
declared nuclear weapons in return for energy and security guarantees.

The current round of talks has come to a standstill in
Beijing. U.S. and Russian diplomats agree that North Korea cannot be
trusted with the civilian nuclear power plant it seeks.

The story is different on Iran, which insists its nuclear program is
solely for peaceful energy production. Russia is helping Iran develop
nuclear energy, and the Russian Foreign Ministry recently said it sees
no basis for referring Tehran to the Security Council.

When the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency meets next week, it could vote
to send Iran’s case to the Security Council for possible
penalties. The International Atomic Energy Agency could put off a
vote, despite the Bush administration’s preference for a quick
referral.

Bush’s hand may have been strengthened by statements from Iran’s
president on Thursday.

Iran’s state-run news agency said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in
New York to attend the U.N. world summit, said his country is willing
to provide other Islamic nations with nuclear technology.

The European Union has taken the lead in trying to persuade Iran to
halt development of nuclear activities that could be used to make
weapons. In exchange, Iran would win economic concessions.

If the case does end up before the Security Council, Russian
cooperation could be critical. As a permanent member of the Security
Council, Russia could veto any resolution punishing Iran unless it
decided to abstain.

China also could veto any possible punishment. The White House
acknowledged Wednesday that Bush was unable to get a commitment on
Iran during his meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Iran has said it does not fear the Security Council.

Washington does not have diplomatic relations with Iran and must apply
pressure through international organizations or allies with political
and economic ties to Tehran.

State Department spokesman Adam Ereli tried to play up a bright spot
in U.S.-Russian dealings over Iran on Thursday. Russia has agreed to
impose controls on its joint nuclear operations with Iran that will
keep nuclear fuel out of direct control by the Iranians.

“I think that’s very clear evidence of the concern that Russia has
about Iranian activities and the measures that they are prepared to
take in response to those concerns,” Ereli said.

Ahmadinejad is expected to make new proposals by the weekend at the
U.N. summit in hopes of defusing the nuclear standoff.

09/15/05 20:51 EDT