This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6258012.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Bush and Putin in informal talks Bush and Putin in informal talks
(about 3 hours later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in the US for two-day talks with President George W Bush aimed at easing tensions between the two sides. US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting informally at the Bush family holiday home in Kennebunkport, Maine.
The two leaders are meeting informally at the Bush family holiday home in Kennebunkport in the state of Maine. Ties have been strained, particularly over US plans to put parts of a missile defence system in eastern Europe, and the talks are aimed at easing tensions.
Ties have been strained, particularly over US plans to put parts of a missile defence system in eastern Europe. The two leaders took a speedboat ride together before a Maine-style dinner.
The final status of Kosovo is another point of friction, with Russia opposing full independence for the province. In Maine, Mr Bush praised new British PM Gordon Brown for his "very strong" response to recent terror attacks.
As Mr Putin arrived, more than 1,000 demonstrators protested nearby, criticising his policy on Chechnya and calling for Mr Bush to be impeached over the war in Iraq. "It just goes to show the war against these extremists goes on," he said.
The US has increased its airport security and added more air marshals to international flights, but not raised its alert level.
'Friendly spirit''Friendly spirit'
The Russian leader said he was looking forward to "friendly" talks with Mr Bush. Mr Bush and Mr Putin will spend two days together at the seaside retreat.
Demonstrators held a protest near the site of the talks The two leaders took a 45-minute speedboat ride
"I hope that the dialogue with this person with whom I've formed good, I would say friendly relations, will take place in exactly that spirit," Mr Putin was quoted as saying by Russian news agency Interfax ahead of his departure. As Mr Putin arrived, more than 1,000 demonstrators protested nearby, criticising his policy on Chechnya and calling for Mr Bush to be impeached over the war in Iraq.
The two leaders will have a meal together on Sunday evening and then hold further talks on Monday. The meeting is being described as informal and the two men are expected to go fishing. Officials have stressed that the meeting between the two leaders is informal, and the two men are expected to go fishing.
Before he left Russia, Mr Putin said he was looking forward to "friendly" talks with Mr Bush.
"I hope that the dialogue with this person with whom I've formed good, I would say friendly relations, will take place in exactly that spirit," Russian news agency Interfax quoted him as saying.
The BBC's James Coomarasamy, in Kennebunkport, says officials from both countries are lowering expectations for any major policy breakthroughs.The BBC's James Coomarasamy, in Kennebunkport, says officials from both countries are lowering expectations for any major policy breakthroughs.
For the US side, the talks are about restoring a sense of trust to a relationship which of late has become increasingly fractious, our correspondent says.For the US side, the talks are about restoring a sense of trust to a relationship which of late has become increasingly fractious, our correspondent says.
'Megaphones''Megaphones'
Earlier this week, Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer urged Russia and the West to tone down their rhetoric, saying there was "no reason to speak with megaphones".Earlier this week, Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer urged Russia and the West to tone down their rhetoric, saying there was "no reason to speak with megaphones".
Demonstrators held a protest near the site of the talks
Russia has expressed anger at the proposed US missile defence shield - particularly plans to site a radar in the Czech Republic and 10 anti-missile interceptors in Poland.Russia has expressed anger at the proposed US missile defence shield - particularly plans to site a radar in the Czech Republic and 10 anti-missile interceptors in Poland.
Nato and the US say the facilities would not be directed as Russia, but at "rogue" states such as North Korea and Iran.Nato and the US say the facilities would not be directed as Russia, but at "rogue" states such as North Korea and Iran.
But Mr Putin recently warned that Russia would target its missiles back at Europe if Washington went ahead with the programme.But Mr Putin recently warned that Russia would target its missiles back at Europe if Washington went ahead with the programme.
The UN-administered province of Kosovo is another issue on which the two sides disagree.The UN-administered province of Kosovo is another issue on which the two sides disagree.
Western countries support a plan that would give the territory independence from Serbia, but Russia - which wields a veto in the UN Security Council - says further negotiations are needed.Western countries support a plan that would give the territory independence from Serbia, but Russia - which wields a veto in the UN Security Council - says further negotiations are needed.
President Bush is also expected to raise the issue of Iran, hoping to gain Russian support for wider economic sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran over its nuclear programme.President Bush is also expected to raise the issue of Iran, hoping to gain Russian support for wider economic sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran over its nuclear programme.