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CNN Live Saturday

Bush Returns from Positive Summit with Putin

Aired June 16, 2001 - 17:00   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.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is headed back to the United States at this hour. His European trip now over. Earlier today in Slovenia, Mr. Bush held his first-ever summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed a variety of issues during their 90-minute encounter. CNN's John King reports, despite an upbeat assessment of the talks, serious differences remain between Washington and Moscow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Grade the U.S.-Russia mini-summit an "A" for atmospherics. This get-acquainted stroll in scenic Slovenia just one of the friendly images.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I found him to very straightforward and trustworthy.

KING: But handshakes and smiles don't always translate into substantive progress. And two rounds of talks over two hours produced no immediate breakthroughs on the major pressure points. President Bush wants to set aside the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty so the United States can develop a missile defense.

President Putin sent mixed signals. On the one hand, calling the ABM treaty the cornerstone of arms control. On the other, saying he thought it possible for Washington and Moscow to develop a common approach. But he bluntly warned the United States not to go it alone on missile defense.

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): I'm saying this, any unilateral actions can only make more complicated various problems and issues.

KING: Expanding the NATO alliance was another summit sore spot. Mr. Bush favors adding more former Soviet satellites to NATO. Mr. Putin is vehemently opposed.

PUTIN: Russia is cooperating with NATO. We have an agreement. We have association. And there is no need to fire up this whole situation.

KING: The talks were held in Brdo Castle, just outside of Slovenia's capital, a 16th century retreat that is now a resort. The first session: just the leaders, one aide and translators, was scheduled for 30 minutes and ran nearly 90. At the top of the second session, Mr. Bush explained why.

BUSH: Because we got along really well.

KING: Well enough for Mr. Bush to offered an invitation for a summit meeting at his ranch in tiny Crawford, Texas. Mr. Putin accepted and reciprocated with an invitation of his own, for talks in Russia.

BUSH: Russia and America have the opportunity to accomplish much together. We should seize it. And today we have begun.

KING: Those meetings and the negotiations leading up to them will put this early goodwill to the test.

(on camera): The president entered the talks with Mr. Putin expecting no breakthroughs saying his paramount goal was to build trust and rapport. His take as he headed home: mission accomplished.

John King, CNN near Ljubjlana, Slovenia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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