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Bush on Arms Control, Afghanistan with Putin
WASHINGTON D.C., Nov 13 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - U.S. President George W. Bush held a press conference with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin here Tuesday.
Addressing the issue of arms control Bush remarked that, "The current levels of our nuclear forces do not reflect today's strategic realities.
"I have informed President Putin that the United States will reduce our operationally deployed strategic nuclear warheads to a level between 1,700 and 2,200 over the next decade, a level fully consistent with American security."
But the most highly anticipated remarks were in regards to Afghanistan.
Bush, commenting on Tuesday's takeover of Kabul by the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance, said, "We support the U.N.'s efforts to fashion a post-Taliban government that is broadly based and multi-ethnic. The new government must export neither terror no[r] drugs, and it must respect fundamental human rights."
Regarding the Middle East, a subject believed to be at the focal point of the current events in the U.S. and in Afghanistan, Bush said, "The spirit of partnership that now runs through our relationship is allowing the United States and Russia to form common approaches to important regional issues.
"In the Middle East, we agree that all parties must take practical actions to ease tensions so that peace talks can resume. We urge the parties to move without delay to implement the Tenet work plan and the Mitchell report recommendations."
Bush also commented on the issue of Chechnya saying, "We are encouraged by President Putin's commitment to a political dialogue in Chechnya."
Bush is headed for a short stay at his ranch in Texas, where he will continue to meet with Putin.
But before leaving, Bush said he is working on an economic stimulus package and stated that he hoped the U.S. Senate would move to pass the bill quickly.
The U.S. economy has been on a downward spiral since January, taking extreme dips after the attacks on September 11.
He also said he expects Congress and the Senate to hammer out an airline safety bill by the end of the month.
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