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Bush: Putin "Shouldn't Fear" Missile Defense Plan

June 05, 2007 7:56 AM

ABC News' Karen Travers Reports: In his first remarks on his trip to Europe, President Bush came out swinging on the missile defense issue and stated emphatically that Russia is not an enemy and they have nothing to fear from a U.S. system in Eastern Europe.

"The Cold War is over. It ended," Bush said Monday in an appearance with Czech President Vaclav Klaus and Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.

The President said he will tell this directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet at the G8 summit in Germany this week.

"[My] message will be: 'Vladimir - I call him Vladimir – you shouldn't fear a missile defense system,'" Bush said. "As a matter of fact, why don't you cooperate with us on a missile defense system? Why don't you participate with the US? Please send your generals over to see how such a system will work, send your scientists and let us have the ability discuss this issue in an open forum where it will be completely transparent."

Bush said the U.S. doesn't believe in a "zero sum world" where a country has to choose its allies.

"The people of the Czech Republic don't have to choose between being a friend with the U.S. or a friend with Russia – you can be both."

President Bush said the objective of the missile defense system is to protect free nations of a missile attack by Iran. "That's a true threat to peace," he said.

June 5, 2007 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (1)

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Posted by: A Viet Nam Vet | Jun 6, 2007 1:49:34 PM

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