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CNN Live At Daybreak

Bush's Trip to Europe and Russia Focusing on Anti-Terrorism, Trade and Nuclear Arms Reductions

Aired May 22, 2002 - 06:32   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush's week-long trip, by the way, is to Europe and Russia, and it's focusing on anti-terrorism efforts, trade and nuclear arms reductions.

Our John King tells us what Mr. Bush can expect when he gets to Moscow to sign that treaty cutting nuclear weapons.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A strategic arms treaty with Russia is the signature moment of the trip, its meaning well beyond slashing nuclear arsenals by two-thirds over the next decade.

SEN. BOB GRAHAM (D), INTELLIGENCE CHAIRMAN: The world's G.O. politics have changed. It's not East vs. West anymore. It is the world vs. terrorists, and Russia has and can play a very significant role in winning that war against terrorists.

KING: Germany is stop 1, followed by Russia, France and Italy. The war on terror and, how a new role for Russia will change the face and mission of the NATO alliance, the major themes. It will be the fifth meeting between President Bush and Putin. The arms control treaty a chance for Mr. Bush to rebut critics who thought he emerged from the first meeting overly optimistic.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I was able to get a sense of his soul.

KING: The relationship still has its pressure points. Russia remains wary of the Bush missile defense plan. The United States says Mr. Putin is too quick to crack down on dissent in the press, and the security of Russian nuclear stockpiles is a major question mark.

SEN. CARL LEVIN (D), MICHIGAN: The newest threat we face, which is a terrorist threat, and the possibility that at terrorist could get their hands on a nuclear weapon.

KING: But the White House also sees immediate benefits as U.S.- Russia relations enter a new chapter. Fewer nuclear warheads mean cost savings for an administration trying to reshape the military to battle new enemies. And the Bush team sees an economic benefit in closer ties, predicting direct U.S. investment in Russia, about $6 billion last year, will more than triple over the next year or so.

DON EVANS, COMMERCE SECRETARY: They have come a long way in a relatively short period of time to encourage investment, encourage American businesses to look hard at the Russian economy, the opportunities there.

KING: Improving U.S.-Russia relations was a Bush priority before September 11, but took on all the more meaning and urgency from that point forward.

(on camera): But as the two presidents celebrate the arms treaty and discuss future cooperation in the war on terrorism, Mr. Bush also will lodge a complaint, urging Russia to stop weapon sales to Iran, the United States believe could ultimately threaten U.S. forces in the region.

John King, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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