Bush condemns Russian practices

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- President Bush and French President Jacques Chirac said Monday they had patched up their differences over Iraq as Bush appealed for European unity in helping to spread democracy across the Middle East.\nAt the same time, Bush prodded Russia to reverse a crackdown on political dissent, suggesting Moscow's efforts to join the World Trade Organization could hinge on it. He said he would press the point when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the week.\n"I intend to remind him that if his interests lie West, that we share values and that those values are important," Bush said. "They're not only important for people who live within Russia, they're important to have good relations with the West."\nHe also demanded that Iran end its nuclear ambitions and told Syria to get out of Lebanon.\nOn the first full day of Bush's fence-mending tour of Europe, Bush and Chirac said they were committed to restoring good relations despite their disagreement over the war in Iraq.\n"I'm looking for a good cowboy," Bush joked when a French reporter asked him whether relations had improved to the point where the U.S. president would be inviting Chirac to the U.S. president's ranch in Texas.\nChirac said that U.S.-French relations have been "excellent for over 200 years now." Chirac added, "That doesn't necessarily mean we agree on everything at every time." The two leaders made the comments before they sat down to dinner.\nThe two leaders issued a joint statement calling for passage of a U.N. resolution insisting that Syria withdraw its troops from Lebanon and calling for a full investigation into the assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister. They cited Lebanon, along with peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan, as examples of how they were working together.\nIn a speech to the European people, Bush did not rule out using military force in Iran, saying all options remain on the table. But, addressing widespread concerns in Europe that Iran is the next U.S. target after Iraq, Bush said, "Iran is ... different from Iraq. We're in the early stages of diplomacy."\nBush's speech on a five-day trip to improve relations with traditional U.S. allies was aimed at both U.S. and European audiences. "In a new century, the alliance of America and Europe is the main pillar of our security," he said.\nBut not all of Bush's speech was conciliatory. He had pointed criticism for Russia three days ahead of his meeting with Putin in Slovakia. Referring to Putin's recent steps to consolidate power, roll back democratic reforms and curb press and political freedoms, Bush said:\n"We must always remind Russia that our alliance stands for a free press, a vital opposition, the sharing of power and the rule of law. The United States should place democratic reform at the heart of their dialogue with Russia." \nLater, when a reporter asked Bush if U.S. support for Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization -- the Geneva-based organization that sets and enforces rules for world trade -- might depend on Russia's renewing its commitment to democracy, Bush suggested it might be a factor.\n"Part of the WTO requirements are that there be an open market, that there be a liberal economy," Bush said.