BUSH: HONESTY IS CRUCIAL.

During a June 16 press conference held jointly with President Putin following two hours of meetings in Slovenia, U.S. President George W. Bush observed, inter alia: “Respectful relations require honesty. And we did discuss areas where my country has differences with Russia–over Chechnya, and over media relations. I also expressed my hope that Russia will develop constructive relations with its neighbors, like Georgia, that are trying to find their own way in a challenging, but hopeful world” (U.S. Newswire, June 16).