Russian Defense Minister, Bush Talk on Military Issues

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, March 13, 2002

Russian Defense Minister, Bush Talk on Military Issues

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov on Tuesday discussed nuclear disarmament and the war on terrorism with U.S. President George W. Bush, who assured him the United States would take Russia's concerns into consideration.

Speaking to reporters after the White House meeting, Ivanov described the discussions as "rather warm and productive" and said he did not take up with Bush a new Pentagon study that suggests nuclear weapons could be used against Russia and six other countries.

"The issue of the new U.S. nuclear posture has not been discussed with the president," Ivanov said. "But we had a very long and very detailed discussion this morning with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld."

Ivanov said he and Bush discussed issues ranging from the reduction of offensive strategic nuclear arms to nonproliferation, the war on terror, economic cooperation, and the issue of power or energy.

They also discussed the issue of Georgia. "Because we still see that terrorists and criminals are present in the territory of that country," he said.

"And as I understood the president assured me that all those Russian problems could not be resolved unless Russia's interests are taken into consideration."

Russia has not been entirely happy at the news that the United States plans to send up to 150 military trainers to help Georgia control what Bush on Monday called "terrorists working closely with al Qaeda."

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