Bush to Visit Putin's Hometown of St. Petersburg

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 19, 2002

Bush to Visit Putin's Hometown of St. Petersburg

US President Bush said Monday he'll assure Russian President Vladimir Putin this week that Russia "has nothing to fear" from NATO expansion into territory once claimed by the Soviet Union.

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US President Bush said Monday he'll assure Russian President Vladimir Putin this week that Russia "has nothing to fear" from NATO expansion into territory once claimed by the Soviet Union.

Bush also said the alliance will play an increasing role in tracking down international terrorists.

"Russia is not a threat, and therefore the military strategies of NATO need to be changed to recognize that new reality," Bush said, previewing his trip in a round-table interview with eastern European reporters.

On Iraq, Bush promised to consult with allies over possible strikes, even though the United States is not directly seeking NATO's help in confronting Saddam Hussein.

"The NATO alliance understands this issue," Bush said. "One way or the other, he is going to be disarmed."

Bush leaves Tuesday for Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, for a summit of leaders of the 19 NATO nations. He will also visit Russia and soon-to-be NATO members Lithuania and Romania on the five-day trip.

The Cold War-vintage North Atlantic Treaty Organization is bringing into its fold three Baltic nations-- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania-- once claimed by Moscow as part of the Soviet Union, a claim never officially recognized by the United States. Also joining are former Soviet bloc nations Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary joined NATO in 1999.

After the Prague meeting, Bush flies to Putin's hometown of St. Petersburg-- his second visit in a year.

Source: Agencies

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