Bush, Putin Remain Divided on Missile Defense System
布什普京结束峰会未达成重要协议
U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin have ended their farewell summit without agreement on missile defense, but with a blueprint for their successors. They conferred at Mr. Putin's presidential retreat in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
The two presidents ended their talks with a focus on the positive.
两位总统结束了会谈,把注意力主要放在积极的方面。
They say they will continue to work on the missile defense issue. And they speak with pride of the transformation in U.S.- Russian relations during the more than seven years they have worked together.
One area where there is strong disagreement is missile defense. The United States wants to build a system in central Europe. Russia says that could start a new arms race.
At their final news conference, they said even though they were unable to reach a breakthrough in Sochi, some sort of meeting of the minds is still possible.
他们在最后举行的新闻发布会上说,即使他们不能在索契取得突破,在大致的想法上还是可能取得某种一致。
Speaking through a translator, President Putin said he believes the United States understands his concerns about the plan to put a radar system in the Czech Republic and missile interceptors in Poland. He said Washington has offered some confidence-building measures that remain under consideration.
"I do have certain cautious optimism with regard to mutual agreements. I believe that this is possible. But the devil is in the details," Mr. Putin said.
President Bush says the two sides have pledged to find a solution, and notes that in the strategic framework signed at the Sochi summit both back the notion of an expanded missile defense network.
"The vision of having a global system is something I strongly support. We are working cooperatively together," Mr. Bush said.
布什总统说:“我强烈支持建立一个全球性系统的理想。我们正在努力进行合作。”
The two were asked by a reporter if they had decided during their summit to just leave the matter for their successors to resolve. President Bush rejected the notion.
"Now you can cynically say it is kicking the can down the road," Mr. Bush said. "I don't appreciate that because this is an important part of my belief that it is necessary to protect ourselves."
他说:“你现在嘲笑说,这是把问题留到以后解决。我不欣赏这种作法,因为我相信,必须保护我们自己。”
But hanging over their discussions is the fact Mr. Putin steps down as president next month, and Mr. Bush leaves office in January.
但是,笼罩他们会谈的事实是,普京下个月就要卸任,布什将在明年1月离职。
On May 7, Dmitri Medvedev will be inaugurated as Russia's new president. While in Sochi, Mr. Bush held his first substantive talks with Vladimir Putin's successor, and declared himself impressed with the president-elect.
Mr. Putin is expected to serve as prime minister in the new Russian government but he told reporters President Medvedev will be in charge of foreign policy.
人们预计普京将在俄罗斯新政府中担任总理,但是他对记者说,梅德韦杰夫将掌管外交政策。
"Now as far as your humble servant, myself, if I become prime minister, the prime minister will have many other issues and problems on his agenda," Mr. Putin said.
他说:“我自己现在作为你们谦卑的仆人,如果我成为总理,总理的议事日程上将有许多其他的问题和难题。”
Dmitri Medvedv will make his big international debut in July when he represents Russia at the annual summit of the world's leading industrialized nations.