This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6721295.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Bush in controversial Czech visit | Bush in controversial Czech visit |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| US President George W Bush is in Prague where he is expected to give a speech criticising what he sees as Russia's growing authoritarianism. | |
| Mr Bush, en route to the G8 summit in Germany, is visiting the Czech Republic and then Poland - two countries where the US seeks to build a missile shield. | |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to aim weapons at Europe if the US sets up a missile shield. | Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to aim weapons at Europe if the US sets up a missile shield. |
| Correspondents say the rhetoric has echoes of Cold War rivalry. | Correspondents say the rhetoric has echoes of Cold War rivalry. |
| White House officials insist that President Bush's speech is not about Russia but rather renewing his commitment to spreading freedom and democracy. | White House officials insist that President Bush's speech is not about Russia but rather renewing his commitment to spreading freedom and democracy. |
| See map of US missile defence bases | See map of US missile defence bases |
| However, the BBC's Jonathan Beale, who is travelling with Mr Bush, says the president is expected to talk about the difficulties of promoting democracy in countries such as Russia and highlight concerns about the Kremlin's tightening grip on power. | However, the BBC's Jonathan Beale, who is travelling with Mr Bush, says the president is expected to talk about the difficulties of promoting democracy in countries such as Russia and highlight concerns about the Kremlin's tightening grip on power. |
| Washington has dismissed talk of a new Cold War but says the rhetoric coming out of the Kremlin has worrying echoes belonging to that era and wants the words toned down. | Washington has dismissed talk of a new Cold War but says the rhetoric coming out of the Kremlin has worrying echoes belonging to that era and wants the words toned down. |
| [Putin] called for a frank dialogue. From my side, it will be frank French President Nicolas Sarkozy New discord set to last Q&A: US missile defence Send us your comments | [Putin] called for a frank dialogue. From my side, it will be frank French President Nicolas Sarkozy New discord set to last Q&A: US missile defence Send us your comments |
| Any criticism will not be welcomed by Moscow and can only lead to further strains, our correspondent says. | Any criticism will not be welcomed by Moscow and can only lead to further strains, our correspondent says. |
| Washington wants to deploy interceptor rockets in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic to counter what it describes as a potential threat from "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea. | Washington wants to deploy interceptor rockets in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic to counter what it describes as a potential threat from "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea. |
| On Sunday, President Putin said Iran was not a threat to the US, hinting that Russia was the target. | On Sunday, President Putin said Iran was not a threat to the US, hinting that Russia was the target. |
| Speaking on the way to Europe, Mr Bush's national security adviser Stephen Hadley said Mr Putin's remarks were "not helpful". | Speaking on the way to Europe, Mr Bush's national security adviser Stephen Hadley said Mr Putin's remarks were "not helpful". |
| Nato spokesman James Appathurai described Mr Putin's words as "unwelcome", while new French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he would have "frank" talks with the Russian leader. | Nato spokesman James Appathurai described Mr Putin's words as "unwelcome", while new French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he would have "frank" talks with the Russian leader. |
| Mr Putin's spokesman has since attempted to soothe the row, describing the comment as a "hypothetical" response to a "hypothetical" question. | Mr Putin's spokesman has since attempted to soothe the row, describing the comment as a "hypothetical" response to a "hypothetical" question. |
| Missile tests | Missile tests |
| Mr Putin issued his warning in an interview with foreign reporters ahead of the G8 meeting in Heiligendamm, Germany, on Wednesday. | Mr Putin issued his warning in an interview with foreign reporters ahead of the G8 meeting in Heiligendamm, Germany, on Wednesday. |
| "If the American nuclear potential grows in European territory, we will have to have new targets in Europe," Mr Putin said. | "If the American nuclear potential grows in European territory, we will have to have new targets in Europe," Mr Putin said. |
| He said neither Iran nor North Korea had the weapons that the US was seeking to shoot down. | He said neither Iran nor North Korea had the weapons that the US was seeking to shoot down. |
| Mr Putin said Washington had "altered the strategic balance" by unilaterally pulling out of the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) treaty in 2002. | Mr Putin said Washington had "altered the strategic balance" by unilaterally pulling out of the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) treaty in 2002. |
| He hoped US officials would change their minds about the missile plan, and said that if an arms race resulted it would not be Russia's fault. | He hoped US officials would change their minds about the missile plan, and said that if an arms race resulted it would not be Russia's fault. |
| Last week, Moscow announced it had tested a ballistic missile to maintain "strategic balance" in the world. | Last week, Moscow announced it had tested a ballistic missile to maintain "strategic balance" in the world. |
| Return to top | Return to top |