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American Morning

Bush and Putin Forging New Relationships Between Russia and U.S.

Aired November 13, 2001 - 10:17   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: I want to get back to the White House right now, and pick things up again with CNN's John King, and in a few moments from now we're going to get some comments in.

Again, the early signs and early words from Russian President Vladimir Putin, again, arriving at the White House just about ten minutes ago to meet with U.S. President, George W. Bush.

And, John, there will be a rather interesting photo opportunity and visit later this week, when these two world leaders meet at a ranch in Crawford, Texas. I think it probably underscores more than anything, the fast developing relationship these two leaders have taken with one another.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Bill, a dramatic redefinition of U.S.-Russia relations taking place. A personal bond building between these two leaders. I should note, we are less than a minute away from seeing a brief snippet of videotape. Reporters brought into the Oval Office.

And we understand the president, for the first time, comments on the developments in Kabul. The president in the Oval Office with the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, let's listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): ...very beautiful flowers you have in the guest house.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Oh, thank you, good.

PUTIN: My wife liked them very much, she said "very unusual flowers."

BUSH: Yeah, they're beautiful. Thanks. Thanks. It's an indication of how happy we are to have you and your wife here with us. Welcome. We'll be -- we'll be having a press conference this afternoon, Stevie. We'll be having a press conference this afternoon. Thank you for giving me an indication of your questions, though.

(CROSSTALK)

BUSH: Exactly.

KING: Are we invited to the ho-down there on Friday?

BUSH: Not after you behaved at the last ho-down.

(LAUGHTER)

KING: I was good (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

BUSH: That's right.

(CROSSTALK)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: You see there, there's often a jostle inside the Oval Office. You see the pictures bouncing, the cameramen often pushed back and forth. We were told to anticipate some comments from the president on the situation in Kabul. Obviously, he told reporters he would be having a press conference later today with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

The White House Press Secretary, Ari Fleischer, just in advance of this meeting saying the president is pleased by the -- by the developments in Afghanistan. The military progress over the north -- Northern Alliance.

At the same time, the administration bluntly making clear, we are told through the Northern Alliance officials, that they do want the Northern Alliance to respect human rights, and they want the northern alliance to not send too many forces into Kabul. All this as administration and its allies try hurry up and build a broad-based coalition to step into Afghanistan as a post-Taliban government.

That one of the issues Mr. Bush will be discussing with the Russian leader, the Russians supplying the Northern Alliance with military equipment in recent weeks. And the two leaders also looking to make major progress in cutting strategic nuclear arsenals in both the United States and Russia. More from both presidents later today here at the White House. Bill.

HEMMER: John, quickly here, want to take you back just about two months ago, and use the words of Vladimir Putin saying, at the time -- quote -- "the entire international community should unite in the struggle against terrorism." When you hear those words and think about the relationship that has developed right here, it is quite critical for these two men, indeed, to be on the same page. And, from the very beginning, it appears that they have been on the front -- on the same page with one another, not just in terms of military information, but also in terms of intelligence as well.

KING: That is right. U.S. officials applaud the Russian cooperation. Mr. Bush, from his very first meeting, said this is a Russian leader he could do business with. And just yesterday, the president said this was a brand new relationship on the economic front, on the military front -- a new relationship, Mr. Bush predicted, would outlast both presidencies. The Bush presidency and the Putin presidency. A great sense of optimism here at the White House. Obviously a great sense of urgency as well because of the changing situation in Afghanistan.

HEMMER: You got it, John. We'll talk later this morning. John King at the White House. And as John was reporting last evening, the president set to announce, a bit later today, that nuclear warheads in this country could be cut by two-thirds, from 7,000 down to around the area of 2,000. We should possibly hear more later on this today. The president saying there will be a briefing. We'll have it for you live, when it happens from the White House.

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