Bush Arrives in Moscow for New Arms Deal

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, May 24, 2002

Bush Arrives in Moscow for New Arms Deal

US President Bush arrived in Moscow on Thursday evening, after appealing to Germany to help wage a wider war against terrorism.

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US President Bush arrived in Moscow on Thursday evening, after appealing to Germany to help wage a wider war against terrorism.

Earlier in Berlin, Bush called Saddam Hussein is threat to civilization itself, and told the chancellor of Germany that he wants help keeping the Iraqi leader from forging alliances with al-Qaida and other terror groups.

Washington's determination to bring about a "regime change" in Baghdad has received only lukewarm support from the European political establishment while prompting loud protests on the streets.

In Berlin, Bush said he told German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of his desire to expand the war against international terror beyond Afghanistan. He said he assured Schroeder, "I have no war plans on my desk," but wishes to use every means available to deal with Saddam.

"He knows my position and the world knows my position about Saddam Hussein. He's a dangerous man," Bush said at a joint press conference with the German leader.

"It's dangerous to think of a scenario where a country like Iraq would link up with an al-Qaida-type organization. ... It's a threat to civilization itself."

But in a nod to German skepticism of his hard line on Iraq, Bush said Germany has "shouldered a significant burden" in the overall fight against terrorism, "and we're very grateful for that."

Bush also appealed for Germany's help in exerting diplomatic pressure on Iraq to keep Saddam from developing destructive weapons - a threat he said is likely.

"I know some would play like they're not real. I'm telling you they're real," Bush said of the threats. He said he advocates action against Iraq because "I don't want to be in a position where we look back and they say, 'Why didn't they lead? Where were they when it came to our basic freedom?"'

Earlier on Thursday, German Defense Minister Rudulf Scharping suggested that Germany did not have the resources to participate in any such operation.

"There is no military planning for Iraq, even if this country presents a real problem for international security," Scharping told German television. "We have no room for a new engagement."

Schroeder has tried to position himself as a staunch anti-terrorism ally without embracing tough action against Iraq. "There are no concrete military plans for attacks on Iraq, so no reason for me to speculate," he said.

While overwhelmingly supportive right after the terror attacks, European allies have expressed increasing skepticism lately over expanding the war, particularly if it involves seeking to overthrow Saddam.

PUBLIC PROTESTS

It also has stirred public resentment. Late Wednesday in Berlin, an estimated 20,000 demonstrators gathered near Bush's hotel to protest U.S. policy toward Iraq, as well as over trade and other issues.

And while the protests were mostly peaceful, violence broke out among groups of hooded youths and pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

An American flag was burned, and demonstrators pelted police in riot gear with bottles and stones. Officials said 44 people were injured and some 50 demonstrators detained.

The protesters were kept far away from Bush and his entourage by multiple barricades and some 10,000 police officers, the largest police operation in Berlin since World War II.

NBC's David Gregory reported that shortly after Bush began to speak to the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, on Thursday, members of the socialist party unfurled a banner saying "Mr. Bush and Mr. Schroeder, stop your wars." Officials tore up the banner and and the protesters were expelled from the building.

WARNING ON IRAN

During his speech to the parliament, Bush made the case for a more aggressive war against terrorism, saying the threat "cannot be appeased, and it cannot be ignored."

Bush called on NATO and all US allies to face the threat. "There can be no lasting security in a world at the mercy of terrorists in my nation or any other nation," he said. "We need each other in the fight against terrorism."

He also described the new arms deal with Russia as the most dramatic of its kind. "Old arms agreements sought to manage hostility and to maintain a balance of terror. This new agreement recognizes that Russia and the West are no longer enemies," he said.

But at his news conference, just hours before heading to Moscow for the second leg of his European tour, Bush also bluntly warned Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop providing weapons technology to Iran. "If you arm Iran, you're liable to have the weapons pointed at you," Bush said.

He said he planned to tell Putin to handle Iran with caution, and to express U.S. worries that Iran may someday be capable of arming deadly missiles. "That's going to be a problem for all of us, including Russia," he said.

In response, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov denied was contributing to weapons proliferation with Iran.

"Sometimes, quite often, we hear what I want to stress are groundless statements that Russia is supposedly helping Iran, in particular, and some other countries develop nuclear and missile programs," Ivanov told ORT public television Thursday.

"This is not true. Russia sticks firmly to its international obligations and we have repeatedly told the United States this."

Bush is on a seven-day, four-nation trip. Besides Germany and Russia, he will visit France and Italy.

Source: Agencies

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