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Russia, U.S. Scheduled to Sign Nuclear Arms Reduction Treaty

Aired May 23, 2002 - 13:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: As we mentioned earlier, President Bush now in Moscow for what is expected to be the high point of his week- long trip abroad. Tomorrow and Friday, he and Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled to sign a treaty reducing U.S. and Russian nuclear forces by two-thirds over the next 10 years' time.

Earlier today in Berlin before he left, Mr. Bush said the Russian people needed to find their future in Europe and with America. And before leaving Berlin earlier, Mr. Bush focused on the war against terror in a joint news conference with the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and also in a speech later to the German parliament.

White House correspondent -- our senior White House correspondent John King traveling with the president overseas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president promised close consultation with Germany and other allies as the war on terrorism expands but left little doubt Iraq tops his list of future fronts.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't want to be in a position where we look back and say why didn't they lead? Where were they when it came to our basic freedoms? And we are going to lead.

KING: The German chancellor appealed for tough diplomacy first, and said any talk of military confrontation is premature.

GERHARD SCHROEDER, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): There are no concrete military plans of attack on Iraq, and that is why for there is no reason whatsoever to speculate about when and if and how.

KING: The Bundestag is the German Parliament, and Mr. Bush was interrupted briefly by several socialists who outright opposed the war on terrorism. Germany has troops in Afghanistan and most here support the war effort, but many view the U.S. president as too eager for a showdown with Saddam Hussein. But Mr. Bush said history demands action.

BUSH: Those who seek missiles and terrible weapons are also familiar with the map of Europe. Like the threats of another era, this threat cannot be appeased or cannot be ignored. KING: The president also said it is critical that NATO adapt to a new enemy, global terrorism.

BUSH: For the United States, September the 11th, 2001 cut a deep dividing line in our history, a change of eras as sharp and clear as Pearl Harbor or the first day of the Berlin blockade.

KING: And without directly mentioning the thousands who took to the streets here during his visit, Mr. Bush said in his view differences between the United States and Europe are often exaggerated. Before leaving for Moscow, Mr. Bush delivered what you might call a polite "I told you so" to his European critics.

(on camera): When he first visited Europe as president 11 months ago, Mr. Bush was warned his missile defense plan would trigger confrontation and perhaps a new arms race with Moscow. Instead, the president says U.S.-Russia relations have never been better. And on Thursday, the two nations will sign a treaty committing themselves to slashing their nuclear arsenals by two-thirds over the next decade.

John King, CNN, Berlin.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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