International Response

Mideast flare-up follows Bush to Russia

(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-14 15:18

HEILIGENDAMM, Germany - President Bush has a straightforward message for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and world leaders at their summit: when possible, speak with a single voice in combating crises such as the flare-up in the Middle East.

It is Bush's fierce support for Israel that is putting him at odds with some members of the Group of Eight nations.

The president also is pressing his case with Putin that Russia should be more tolerant of political liberties and a free press. Bush says he will make his point in a respectful way.

A host of global troubles is following Bush ahead of his visit to Russia on Friday.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Bush was certain to discuss Israel's attacks on Lebanon and the counterattacks on Israel when he meets first with Putin and then over the weekend with other members of the G-8: Germany, Britain France, Italy, Japan and Canada.

Rice told reporters it seemed likely those countries would issue a statement on the rising violence in the Middle East.

"You know how the G-8 is. It's unthinkable that these leaders could get together and not discuss what's going on there," she said.

She said a three-person team sent by the United Nations to the region should get a chance to try to defuse the crisis.

"Everybody is very focused on helping the U.N. general secretary's mission," she told reporters in a news briefing.

At the same time, she said, "We don't want to send confusing signals. The too many cooks in the kitchen is one we want to avoid."

Bush planned to have dinner Friday with Putin after arriving in St. Petersburg.

Bush and Putin are meeting as U.S. and Russian negotiators try to conclude a deal to let Russia join the World Trade Organization. The presidents could announce it as early as Saturday.

Russian officials cited a breakthrough in the talks, but U.S. officials said some tough issues remained.

Before dinner with Putin, Bush was meeting with 20 civil society activists. They are involved in promoting human rights, education, environmental protection, public health and other issues.

Bush defended Israel's attacks in Lebanon on Thursday but raised concerns that they could weaken or topple the fragile government in Beirut.

Rice met with reporters and put even more emphasis on the need to not jeopardize Lebanon's fledgling Democratic government.

"It is extremely important that Israel exercise restraint in its activities of self-defense," she said after a day of telephone diplomacy with leaders of the region.

Bush's strong support of Israel put him at odds with European Union allies two days before U.S. had sought a united stand at the G-8 summit against Iran's nuclear ambitions and North Korea's long-range missile test.

The Israeli attacks on Lebanon were criticized by both G-8 members Russia and France.

Russia and the United States have resolved a key issue over Russia's acceptance to the World Trade Organization, and a final agreement could be signed by the end of the week, some Russian officials said Thursday.

But Dan Bartlett, counselor to the president, said, "There still are some sticky issues that have to be resolved." He said he understood the Russia desire to have an announcement during Bush's visit, but that they weren't quite there yet.

Bush finished his German visit by joining Chancellor Angela Merkel for a wild boar barbecue feast at a restaurant in the small village of Trinwillershagen. He told invited guests that, coming from Texas, being treated to a barbecue was "one of the greatest compliments."

"Let's go eat," he said, then shook the hands of hunter and restaurant owner Olaf Micheel and sliced several pieces off the boar on it spit and served them to guests.