Bush says will urge Putin to work with
Baltics
Thu May 5, 2005 17:59
64.140.158.53
Bush says will urge Putin to work with Baltics
Reuters
May 5, 2005 — By Steve Holland
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=732089
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush said in interviews broadcast on Thursday he would remind Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week that the end of World War II brought Soviet occupation to the Baltic states and urge him to help new democracies on Russia's border.
As he prepared to attend ceremonies marking the end of the war in Europe, Bush said there was "great angst" in the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia because "people don't view this as a liberating moment."
Bush spoke in a series of television and newspaper interviews on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of his departure on Friday for Latvia, the Netherlands, Russia and Georgia.
The trip is centered around Monday's observances in Moscow of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Bush's visits to Latvia and Georgia amount to a reminder that the end of the war in Europe did not mean the end of repression.
"Of course I'll remind him of that," Bush told Lithuanian state television when asked if he would remind Putin that the end of the war brought Soviet occupation to the Baltics.
The Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have difficult relations with Moscow, feeling Russia is an intimidating presence after controlling them for decades after World War II.
Lithuania and Estonia have refused invitations to attend the Moscow war celebration, and Bush said he respected that decision.
He said his message to Putin was that Russia should "work with the Baltics in a cooperative way, because it really is in Russia's interests to have free countries and democracies on her border. The more democracies on the border of a country, the more peaceful a country will be."
Bush faces the diplomatically sensitive job of pressing democracy concerns to Putin while not antagonizing the Russian leader and endangering Russia's help on issues like the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea and the war on terrorism.
FRANK DISCUSSION
----------------------
Aides carry president's nuclear 'football'
Duluth News Tribune, MN - 35 minutes ago
... But do not ask those who carry the football for President Bush. ... Barrett also remembers the palpitations he felt during a trip to France when the football ...
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/politics/11572213.htm
One Sunday, as President Bush was attending church near the White House, his football-toting military aide was seated at the rear of St. John's Church. When the minister directed members of the congregation to greet their neighbors, the aide turned to someone close by and said, "Peace be with you." The response had extra emphasis: "Peace be with YOU."
ON THE NET
An interactive look at the nuclear football is available at:
http://wid.ap.org/series/insidewash/football.html
Football photos:
MORE:>>
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/nuclear-football-pics.htm
White House Tries to Allay Russian Anger
ABC News - 9 minutes ago
... The Soviet Union's occupation of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia beginning during World War II has come to the fore as Bush prepares to travel to Moscow for ...
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=732083
Newsview: US-Russia Friendship Tested
Newsday - 2 hours ago
By DONNA CASSATA. WASHINGTON -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's uneven record on reform and President Bush's campaign to spread democracy are sorely testing the wary friendship that grew between Russia and ...
Baltic states shiver in the shadow cast by Russia Financial Times
Bush to Mark End of World War II in Europe Voice of America
ABC News - NewsFactor Network - Tech Central Station - Guardian Unlimited -
all 264 related »
Reuters
May 5, 2005 — By Steve Holland
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=732089
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush said in interviews broadcast on Thursday he would remind Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week that the end of World War II brought Soviet occupation to the Baltic states and urge him to help new democracies on Russia's border.
As he prepared to attend ceremonies marking the end of the war in Europe, Bush said there was "great angst" in the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia because "people don't view this as a liberating moment."
Bush spoke in a series of television and newspaper interviews on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of his departure on Friday for Latvia, the Netherlands, Russia and Georgia.
The trip is centered around Monday's observances in Moscow of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Bush's visits to Latvia and Georgia amount to a reminder that the end of the war in Europe did not mean the end of repression.
"Of course I'll remind him of that," Bush told Lithuanian state television when asked if he would remind Putin that the end of the war brought Soviet occupation to the Baltics.
The Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have difficult relations with Moscow, feeling Russia is an intimidating presence after controlling them for decades after World War II.
Lithuania and Estonia have refused invitations to attend the Moscow war celebration, and Bush said he respected that decision.
He said his message to Putin was that Russia should "work with the Baltics in a cooperative way, because it really is in Russia's interests to have free countries and democracies on her border. The more democracies on the border of a country, the more peaceful a country will be."
Bush faces the diplomatically sensitive job of pressing democracy concerns to Putin while not antagonizing the Russian leader and endangering Russia's help on issues like the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea and the war on terrorism.
FRANK DISCUSSION
----------------------
Aides carry president's nuclear 'football'
Duluth News Tribune, MN - 35 minutes ago
... But do not ask those who carry the football for President Bush. ... Barrett also remembers the palpitations he felt during a trip to France when the football ...
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/politics/11572213.htm
One Sunday, as President Bush was attending church near the White House, his football-toting military aide was seated at the rear of St. John's Church. When the minister directed members of the congregation to greet their neighbors, the aide turned to someone close by and said, "Peace be with you." The response had extra emphasis: "Peace be with YOU."
ON THE NET
An interactive look at the nuclear football is available at:
http://wid.ap.org/series/insidewash/football.html
Football photos:
MORE:>>
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/nuclear-football-pics.htm
White House Tries to Allay Russian Anger
ABC News - 9 minutes ago
... The Soviet Union's occupation of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia beginning during World War II has come to the fore as Bush prepares to travel to Moscow for ...
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=732083
Newsview: US-Russia Friendship Tested
Newsday - 2 hours ago
By DONNA CASSATA. WASHINGTON -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's uneven record on reform and President Bush's campaign to spread democracy are sorely testing the wary friendship that grew between Russia and ...
Baltic states shiver in the shadow cast by Russia Financial Times
Bush to Mark End of World War II in Europe Voice of America
ABC News - NewsFactor Network - Tech Central Station - Guardian Unlimited -
all 264 related »
