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Bush criticises Russia on reform Bush criticises Russia on reform
(about 6 hours later)
US President George W Bush has criticised Russia for "derailing" its promised democratic reforms.US President George W Bush has criticised Russia for "derailing" its promised democratic reforms.
Speaking in the Czech Republic, Mr Bush said the US had strong working relations with Russia and China, but there were also "strong disagreements". Speaking in the Czech Republic, Mr Bush said the US had strong working relations with Russia and China but there were also "strong disagreements".
Mr Bush is en route to Germany for a G8 summit which threatens to be overshadowed by US-Russia tensions. Mr Bush later flew on to Germany for a G8 summit which is in danger of being overshadowed by US-Russia tensions over a US missile defence system.
Mr Bush earlier said Russia had nothing to fear from a missile defence system, the cause of much of the tension. Moscow rejected Mr Bush's criticisms, saying Russia was a democratic nation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to aim weapons at Europe if the system is developed, in comments seen as reminiscent of Cold War rhetoric. 'Different speeds'
In his speech in Prague, which focused on global democracy, Mr Bush said the US friendship with Russia and China was "complex".
If standing for liberty in the world makes me a dissident, then I'll wear the title with pride George W Bush BBC reporter's tour diary New discord set to lastIf standing for liberty in the world makes me a dissident, then I'll wear the title with pride George W Bush BBC reporter's tour diary New discord set to last
In a speech in Prague focused on global democracy, Mr Bush said the US friendship with Russia and China was "complex".
He said: "In Russia, reforms that once promised to empower citizens have been derailed, with troubling implications for democratic development."He said: "In Russia, reforms that once promised to empower citizens have been derailed, with troubling implications for democratic development."
Mr Bush also said the US disagreed with China's leaders who "believe that they can continue to open the nation's economy without also opening its political system".Mr Bush also said the US disagreed with China's leaders who "believe that they can continue to open the nation's economy without also opening its political system".
Mr Bush said that although societies developed "at different speeds", certain democratic values were universal.Mr Bush said that although societies developed "at different speeds", certain democratic values were universal.
See map of US missile defence basesSee map of US missile defence bases
He said: "The United States will continue to build our relationships with these countries and we will do it without abandoning our principles or our values."He said: "The United States will continue to build our relationships with these countries and we will do it without abandoning our principles or our values."
The president also called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of dissidents in such nations as Belarus, Burma and Cuba. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia "cannot agree on his declaration about the derailing of democratic reforms".
He added: "Russia is a democratic country that shares common world and common European values."
Mr Bush also called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of dissidents in such nations as Belarus, Burma and Cuba.
If the American nuclear potential grows in European territory, we will have to have new targets in Europe Vladimir Putin Q&A: US missile defence Send us your commentsIf the American nuclear potential grows in European territory, we will have to have new targets in Europe Vladimir Putin Q&A: US missile defence Send us your comments
He listed these nations, along with North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Iran and Syria as the "worst dictatorships" and criticised Venezuela, Uzbekistan and Vietnam for rolling back earlier "freedom".He listed these nations, along with North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Iran and Syria as the "worst dictatorships" and criticised Venezuela, Uzbekistan and Vietnam for rolling back earlier "freedom".
Mr Bush said he had been accused of being a "dissident president" for pledging the US "to the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world".Mr Bush said he had been accused of being a "dissident president" for pledging the US "to the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world".
He said: "If standing for liberty in the world makes me a dissident, then I'll wear the title with pride."He said: "If standing for liberty in the world makes me a dissident, then I'll wear the title with pride."
Cold War 'over'Cold War 'over'
The Czech Republic is the planned site for a radar base that will form part of the US missile defence shield. Interceptor missiles are planned to be deployed in Poland.The Czech Republic is the planned site for a radar base that will form part of the US missile defence shield. Interceptor missiles are planned to be deployed in Poland.
Mr Bush, who is expected to meet Mr Putin in Germany, said the new system was a "purely defensive measure, aimed not at Russia but at true threats".Mr Bush, who is expected to meet Mr Putin in Germany, said the new system was a "purely defensive measure, aimed not at Russia but at true threats".
He said the Cold War was over and Russia was not an enemy of the US.He said the Cold War was over and Russia was not an enemy of the US.
Mr Putin has scoffed at US claims the shield is designed to counter threats from states such as North Korea and Iran, suggesting it was targeting Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to aim weapons at Europe if the system is developed.
"If the American nuclear potential grows in European territory, we will have to have new targets in Europe," Mr Putin warned. He has scoffed at US claims that the shield is designed to counter threats from states such as North Korea and Iran, suggesting it was targeting Russia.
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