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Bush criticises Russia on reform | Bush criticises Russia on reform |
(30 minutes 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". |
Moscow rejected Mr Bush's criticisms, saying Russia was a democratic nation. | Moscow rejected Mr Bush's criticisms, saying Russia was a democratic nation. |
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. | |
The summit brings together world leaders from the leading industrial countries for a three-day meeting. | |
Climate change is expected to be high in the agenda, along with other issues such as globalisation and trade, and poverty in Africa. | |
Germany and other European governments are pressing for a new treaty to replace the Kyoto agreement - which expires in 2012 - with stricter limits on greenhouse gas emissions. | |
'Different speeds' | 'Different speeds' |
In his speech in Prague, which focused on global democracy, Mr Bush said the US friendship with Russia and China was "complex". | 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 New discord set to last | If standing for liberty in the world makes me a dissident, then I'll wear the title with pride George W Bush New discord set to last |
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 bases | See 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." |
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia "cannot agree on his declaration about the derailing of democratic reforms". | 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." | 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. | 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 comments | 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 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. |
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to aim weapons at Europe if the system is developed. | Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to aim weapons at Europe if the system is developed. |
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. | 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. |
Return to top | Return to top |