THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release July 22, 2001
JOINT STATEMENT BY US PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AND
PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION VLADIMIR V. PUTIN
ON UPCOMING CONSULTATIONS ON STRATEGIC ISSUES
We agreed that major changes in the world require concrete discussions of both offensive and defensive systems. We
already have some strong and tangible points of agreement. We will shortly begin intensive consultations on the
interrelated subjects of offensive and defensive systems.
*******
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Genoa, Italy)
For Immediate Release July 22, 2001
JOINT STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
AND PRESIDENT VLADIMIR VLADIMIROVICH PUTIN
In keeping with the spirit of our Ljubljana discussions, we welcome the initiative of the American and Russian business
communities to provide new impetus to our bilateral trade and investment relations through the creation of the "Russian
American Business Dialogue."
We expect the Dialogue to perform three key functions: expand contact between our two business communities; identify
areas where laws, regulations and practices impede trade and investment; and provide a forum where business interests
could be raised with our respective governments. We seek to promote economic reform, a transparent and predictable
investment climate and rule of law, and to work towards the Russian Federation's early accession to the WTO.
The Dialogue will be open to interested American and Russian companies and business associations. We hope thereby to
encourage participation by large, medium, and especially small enterprises from a broad cross-section of industry
sectors, including, in particular, technology businesses. We welcome the offer of the American Chamber of Commerce in
Russia, the U.S.-Russia Business Council, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, and the
Russian-American Business Council to steer this effort.
We embrace the offer of the Dialogue organizers to prepare formal reports of the Dialogue for use by the governments of
the Russian Federation and the United States. We affirm our commitment to send cabinet level representatives to receive
the first formal report of the Dialogue at a meeting of the Dialogue early next year.
*******
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release July 22, 2001
PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT BUSH
AND PRESIDENT PUTIN
Palasso Doria Spinola
Genoa, Italy
2:52 P.M. (Local)
PRESIDENT PUTIN: Good morning. We've just finished a meeting with the President of the United States, and discussed the
issues on a whole wide range of subjects. First and foremost, I wanted to say with great satisfaction that our meeting
was held in a very frank and open atmosphere, and there is no doubt, absolutely, that I can say and confirm that we've
maintained not only, but in many ways strengthened the spirit of Ljubljana.
Naturally, we discussed the issues that were raised at the G8, issues of security, environment, education, security.
And the issue here led us to discuss the world architecture of the 21st century and the way to improve civilization in
the future.
I can frankly tell you that this part we discussed together, just one-on-one with the President. It seemed to me that
his mental reasoning is very deep, very profound. We were both very interested in having a continuation of this dialogue
with the American people, with its leader. Approaches which were stated by the President in the past, without any doubt,
are going to be studied by us, and I can repeat once again will be positively accepted.
President Bush and I have analyzed how our recent accords are now being implemented. We've put forth several new steps
in terms of setting forth a long-term cooperation which is not subject to any kind of deal-makings, but a very good,
sound, long-lasting attitude. Today in Russia we have a very positive dynamism, and we have stated that, as well.
The differences in approaches on a couple of topics is still there. However, what is more important is that we are
aimed -- both of us are aiming at partnership, to look forward, well-reasoned, well-balanced, carefully weighed
approaches and solutions.
Naturally, we discussed the issue of strategic stability. There we spent a lot of time. We talked in great detail.
We've reached a most important accord, agreement on the beginning and the schedule for consultations. In Ljubljana, we
talked about setting up a working group, or series of working groups. As you know, in Moscow here, in a few days,
Condoleezza Rice will come to visit us and we will work out finally the group structure within the overall interagency
structure of foreign ministry, defense ministry and others.
I have to say that to some extent what was unexpected both for me, and I think for President Bush, as well, was the
understanding that was reached today between us on the issue that the offensive arms and issue of defensive arms will be
discussed as a set. We're going to be talking about the mutual striving toward cutting back significantly offensive
arms. We're not really ready at this time to talk about the threshold limits or the numbers, themselves. But a joint
striving exists and the specialists will get together and they'll make some recommendations. But we are aiming at moving
in that direction.
I told the President of the United States about our proposal, vis a vis, the start of consultations on strategic
stability issues as a whole. And I think that in the very nearest future, I repeat once again, that our specialists are
going to work in this direction. I think they're going to make a lot of progress and be quite successful.
Naturally, we discussed very, very sharp problems in regional issues. We talked about joining our forces in trying to
solve some conflicts. We repeat again that the overall dialogue on getting our positions coordinated is the very best
approach to U.S.-Russian relations.
Bilateral issues were especially stressed; economic cooperation. And I have to say here that we have a common approach
towards developing very dynamically in this sphere. We have very good precedence and very good foundations for this.
We also know that our business societies are also very interested in this. We've discussed a series of contacts and the
schedule for upcoming contacts in the economic field; talked about our next meeting. The nearest one will be the APEC
meeting in Shanghai, and then the President very kindly confirmed his invitation to me to come to the United States, and
we talked about that agenda, too.
So that's all I wanted to say as an opening remark. Thank you very much.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Mr. President. First, both of us believe strongly that the summit we just attended was a
success, and we want to thank the people of Italy and Genoa for their hospitality.
Secondly, we did have a very constructive dialogue, which certainly made -- made my impressions of Slovenia, confirmed
my impressions of Slovenia, that this was a man with whom I could have an honest dialogue; that we can discuss our
opportunities and have frank discussion of our differences, which we did.
I appreciate so very much President Putin's willingness to think differently about how to make the world more peaceful.
He cares deeply about the citizens of his land. I, obviously, care deeply about the citizens of my land. We're young
leaders who are interested in forging a more peaceful world.
And along these lines, as the President said, that we're going to have open and honest dialogue about defensive
systems, as well as reduction of offensive systems. The two go hand-in-hand in order to set up a new strategic framework
for peace. And along these lines, as the President mentioned, my National Security Advisor, Condoleezza Rice, will be
visiting in Moscow, the purpose of which is to lay out a specific timetable of discussions between our defense ministers
and our foreign ministers.
So as we can continue progress to find common ground in a -- to make the world more peaceful, both of us want to seize
the moment and lead. And I appreciate this attitude so very much with President Putin.
Secondly, we did talk, spent time discussing economic cooperation. There will be a statement put out after the meeting
-- on both, by the way, the strategic framework discussions, as well as the economic cooperation along these lines.
Secretary Evans and Secretary O'Neill will be Moscow next week to discuss a wide range of topics.
But one of the things that is clear and evident is that the President understands the need to create a framework for
entrepreneurial activity. As I mentioned in my last press conference, I will mention this again, I am impressed by the
fact that he has instituted tax reform -- a flat tax. And as he pointed out to me, it is one of the lowest tax rates in
Europe. He and I share something in common: we both proudly stand here as tax reformers. And I think the American
business leaders who look to Russia will appreciate certainty in the tax code, and certainly will appreciate a lower tax
rate than in other places.
But we've got a lot of areas for growth and discussion, ranging from international trade to investment opportunities
within the Federation.
With that, I will be glad to answer -- both of us will be glad to answer a few questions from you. Let's make your
questions short, so that we won't leave my wife waiting at the tarmac in Rome. (Laughter.)
Q You were saying just a little while ago about how strategic stability and space has been discussed. How do you see
the biggest difficulties in this dialogue? What are the principal differences between the two countries? And how do you
see overcoming these differences?
And your proposal on conference, holding a conference in Moscow on the environment, how were the other G8 partners
receiving your invitation to Moscow?
PRESIDENT PUTIN: As far as the ABM Treaty and the issues of offensive arms, I've already said we've come to the
conclusion that two of these issues have to be discussed as a set, as one set. This is not doubt whatsoever; one and the
other are very closely tied. Neither one, nor the other side should feel it's somehow threatened or constrained.
I felt and continue to feel that these most important kinds of issues, we have to maintain a balance, thanks to which
mankind could live in an environment of stability and relative peace. This is an issue of principle. And that's first.
Second, we share the position of the U.S. President on the need to have large cuts in offensive arms; I've already
spoken to this. And together, we're going to move forward in this direction, substantially changing the situation in the
world, making it better throughout the whole world, reducing the thresholds of confrontation. Without any doubt, this
would ameliorate the climate throughout the whole world. There has to be absolutely no doubt that this is going to
happen.
Now, as far as your issue on the international conference in Russia on the ecology or the environment, and reducing the
dangers to the environment, I can say the following: Prior to coming here to Genoa, I held a meeting with our
specialists, with our physicists, our scientists, members of the cabinet who are involved in environmental affairs.
And I have to say that in Russia, we have some people, some specialists who are known throughout the world, really
big-time specialists. And they told me that even if we fully implement the Kyoto Protocol, fully, this is going to
affect the climate as it is today, but the changes to that will be very minor. In other words, the Kyoto Protocol is
simply not sufficient to substantially improve the ecology in the world; although the movement that we're moving in is
in the right direction.
But I want to say that Russia is still for the Kyoto Protocol. But what's important is that the scientists themselves,
political leaders, ecologists, people in society, government leaders, never, ever got together once. Each of these
groups sits there alone, and out of their own corner reviews this issue. And the thought was to get everybody together
on one common platform.
This was supported very energetically by the President of the United States and by other colleagues. Along with that,
President Chirac stressed the need to attract the civilian population, the non-specialists, to have them participate,
people from society at large. And for this, I want to thank our colleagues for having supported this. Thank you very
much.
Q President Putin said several days after your first meeting that Russia would -- arsenal, which you needed to -- two
meetings -- have you convinced him to scrap the ABM Treaty without building up his nuclear arsenal?
And to you, Mr. President, you just said there is absolutely no doubt that there will be reductions on the Russian side
of its nuclear arsenal. Does that mean that you are no longer saying that you will increase your arsenal if the U.S.
proceeds with missile defense? Have you changed your position?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, first, Ron, let me start by saying how optimistic I am about the possibilities of reaching an
accord. It's -- one of the things about the person with whom I'm talking -- President Putin -- is that he has agreed,
like I have agreed, to find common ground, if possible.
So I believe that we will come up with an accord. Let me say this -- I know we'll work to an accord, to see if we can't
reach an accord about both a new strategic framework for defensive weapons, as well as the need to reduce offensive
weapons in order to make the world more peaceful.
The only thing I can do is characterize, once again characterize our discussions as open and optimistic and very
positive. I was struck by how easy it is to talk to President Putin, how easy it is to speak from my heart, without, you
know, fear of complicating any relationship. And I enjoyed listening to what he has to say, as well.
I'm optimistic that we can get something done. And it's with that spirit that we send Condi Rice to Moscow to formalize
the process; to answer questions -- inevitably, there will be questions because, after all, what we're talking about
doing is changing a mind-set of the world. We're basically saying, the Cold War is forever over, and the vestiges of the
Cold War that locked us both into a hostile situation are over. And we're exploring the opportunity to redefine the
strategic framework for keeping the peace not that as existed in the past, but a strategic framework as we go out in the
21st century. It's an exciting opportunity. And I can tell you that the discussions have been very meaningful.
Mr. President.
PRESIDENT PUTIN: Thank you. Now, as far as possible answer or response, as you say, from Russia, in the event that one
side leaves the ABM Treaty, from the 1972 treaty, then I can say the following. We were talking about the possible kinds
and versions of response in the event that one side comes out unilaterally. I was not talking about increasing the
missiles. I was talking about how you would substitute single-unit warheads, make them MIRV warheads.
But, as we said today -- if, as we said today and, if, as we understood from each other today, we are ready to look at
the issue of offensive and defensive systems together as a set, we might not ever need to look at that option. But this
is one of the subjects of our future discussions.
As a whole we agreed, in general, that in any version, today we can go forward toward reducing offensive arms. I'm
telling you this with full responsibility and I'm telling you that within -- this is an issue of the qualitative and
quantitative numbers. But this is, of course -- we'll let the specialists sit down and talk about those numbers.
Q A question to both Presidents. Please tell us how you assess the Genoa summit results from the point of view of the
future G8s, because you've got all these anti-globalists demonstrators and others.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, I'm looking forward to future G8 summits. People should be allowed to protest in a peaceful way.
The great thing about freedom is, it provides an outlet for people to express their differences.
Having said that, I believe that which we discussed today and the last couple of days will make the world a heck of a
lot more prosperous and peaceful place. The philosophy of free trade and starting a new round of free trade discussions
makes eminent sense, not only for those who happen to be prosperous today, but for those who aren't.
And all the demonstrators and all the folks have to do is ask the leaders who came from the developing nations. Ask my
friend from El Salvador what trade means to him. And so I reiterate what I said before. People are allowed to protest,
but for those who claim they're speaking on behalf of the poor, for those who claim that shutting down trade will
benefit the poor, they're dead wrong.
PRESIDENT PUTIN: I have to tell you that the people who are out on the streets, then talked about the issues of the
poor countries and their problems, and those who gathered within the framework of the 8 were all taken by one and the
same series of issues. In this sense, we can say that we're all of the same mind. But unlike those who chose these
extremist ways of expressing their minds, those who worked here tried to find solutions, ways to get to the end solution
-- specific kinds of solutions, which realistically could affect, I hope, will affect the condition in which the very
poorest countries are living in the world today.
That's why I very highly praise the results, the level and the nature and the character of these discussions. I think
we need these kinds of meetings, and I think they will be, they will continue. Naturally, we're going to have to pay
more attention to the quality of the kinds of decisions that we take and how to implement them fully to the end.
Now, as far as the dialogue with civil society, one of the fora and one of the ways of discussing is in a civilized
fashion. We can only -- and one of the ways of doing it is holding the international conference in Moscow in 2003 and
talking about the environment. Thank you.
Q Mr. President, I understand that currency issues were discussed at the leaders summit. I'm wondering, how did you
explain the benefits of a strong dollar, since you've already acknowledged that it hurts U.S. exporters, and over here
it's putting inflationary pressure on the ECB and stopping them from cutting interest rates?
And, President Putin, I'm just wondering how does a strong dollar affect your economy? Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, let me reiterate what I said after my World Bank speech. The dollar needs to float in the
marketplace, and that the dollar -- if the market is allowed to function, the dollar will be at an appropriate level.
And there are both, obviously, there are some that want us to artificially -- the dollar in our country, and that's not
the role, in my judgment, of the country. The market ought to do that, not the nation.
And so I continued to assure my friends and allies that we will let the market adjust. I also assured them that we were
taking the steps necessary within our country to strengthen our economy.
I was able to herald the fact that the first rebate checks made it into the mail, and I heralded it from a remote
location, here in Genoa. And the reason I bring that up is that many of the world leaders are deeply concerned about the
slowdown of the U.S. economy and its effect not only on the dollar, but also the effect on trade. And I assured them
that from a fiscal perspective, one, we're going to hold the line on spending, that we had a budget and I expect
Congress to meet the budget; secondly, that we did reduce taxes substantially and the first wave of tax relief was in
the mail; and, thirdly, that our Fed, independent of the government, was making the monetary decisions. And I think
people were pleased to hear that we're working hard to revitalize our economy.
PRESIDENT PUTIN: The United States is the main trade and economic partner for Russia. And this is the main investor in
Russia, of all the investors and one of the main economic and trade partners. So the stability of the U.S. economy
substantially affects our economic situation.
As you know, over the last year in Russia, we've noticed certain positive trends, and there is no doubt in our minds
that we're interested in the stability of the U.S. economy as a whole and their currency. The dollar for us is the most
important -- the main form of payment in most of our operations. Thank you.
Q Which regional conflicts, in your estimation, are the greatest threat to international security? What were the
results when you discussed these issues at the G8? And what jointly could U.S. and Russia do in this arena?
PRESIDENT PUTIN: Well, of course, these are the Balkans and the Middle East, above all. I have to say that I'm
satisfied by the nature of the results of this discussion. But it seems to me that this time we heard each other much
more, much better, understand each positions much better in all these conflict areas.
And what's important -- I don't know if my colleague will agree with me, but I get the feeling that trust in each
other, within the framework of trying to settle these issues is beginning to arrive. This is very important foundation,
trust. So we're going to continue coordinating our efforts both in the Balkans and the Middle East, taking into account
the interest of all the parties that are drawn into this conflict.
And on the way toward coordinating our efforts, we have to work out unified approaches. And this, here lies the
success. This is very important. Because if we create some kind of cracks or fissures through which you can have leakage
of certain extremist forces, it's going to wreck the whole process. So here, getting together, drawing together, here
was very positive and a positive nature. Thank you.
Q Thank you, sir. Mr. President, President Chirac and Prime Minister Chretien both say that you promised to have a
global warming package ready for the Marrakesh meeting in September. Your staff says that that's not quite true. Who is
right, sir? What exactly did you tell the leaders?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, given the room temperature here I'm not surprised you brought up the subject of warming.
(Laughter) So I'll try to keep my answer short, for the benefit of all, particularly those of us who must do something
in Rome.
Here's what I said. I said my administration has had a full-scale review of the climate issue; that we're in the
process of developing a strategy as quickly as we possibly can and one that we look forward to sharing with our friends
and allies. A strategy that begins with the notion that we want to reduce greenhouse gasses in America. A strategy,
also, that takes a realistic look at how best to do so, a look based upon science and a look with a notion that we can
have economic growth and sound environmental policy.
I made it clear to our friends and allies that the methodology of the current protocol is one that, if implemented,
would severely affect economic growth in America, and that I believe that it makes sense for those who trade with us to
make sure that our environmental policy is one that continues to stimulate economic activity so that trade means
something between nations.
The spirit of our dialogue was very positive. I guess you could say that I broke the ice during my last trip to Europe,
so people understood exactly where I was coming from. There should be no doubt in their mind about our position -- that
we share the goal, but we believe that, strongly believe that we need to find a methodology of achieving the goal that
won't wreck the U.S. economy.
And we're making progress on that. I'm very confident that the leaders appreciated my straightforwardness the last time
I came to Europe and my willingness to continue to dialogue on this very important issue.
We have a representative at the Bonn summit. I saw her on TV the other day; she made the case very clearly -- Paula
made the case very clearly about what our position is. And the Europeans are interested in the strategy that we're going
to adopt. And when it's formulated I will present it to them. And I look forward to doing that. And they're going to
find out that when I say we're interested in reducing greenhouse gasses that we mean it.
They're also going to be pleased to hear that it's going to be in such a way that won't damage their largest trading
partner. And so will the American people, who want to make sure that there's work and jobs available.
With that, I want to, again, thank my friend. I look forward to future dialogue. Thank you all very much for your
questions. And again, we thank the good people of Italy for their kind hospitality.
PRESIDENT PUTIN: Thank you very much.
END 3:22 P.M. (L)