Washington extends warm welcome to Putin

Washington welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin as a friend in an atmosphere of mutual trust and collaboration.

The 11th September attacks brought Moscow and Washington closer together, as the United States could understand the question of terrorism first-hand. Moscow has fought this question in Chechnya for years, misunderstood by the West, whose journals printed aggressive press reports about Russian atrocities, without taking into account the facts.

Before the arrival of Vladimir Putin, George Bush is already announcing that he is prepared to make substantial cuts in the US nuclear arsenal. President Putin arrives today in Washington for a three-day official visit, which will include a stay on the Texas ranch of the US President.

It is hoped that the new spirit of warmth will produce more results than the frostiness between the two countries during the cold war.

It is expected that the Nuclear Missile Defence shield will enter the talks, since George Bush has made it clear that he intends to test the system, with or without support from abroad. Mr. Bush is also expected to raise the question of the 1972 ABM Treaty, a thorny issue between the two countries.

The Russian President could use as bargaining points access to international trade and favourable agreements on Russia’s debt relief or a rescheduling of debt payments.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru