Senators Urge Partnership With Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with social science and history teachers in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Thursday, June 21, 2007. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Presidential Press Service, Vladimir Rodionov) (Vladimir Rodionov - AP)

WASHINGTON -- Warning that relations are in dangerous decline, senior Democratic and Republican senators urged President Bush Thursday to form a stronger partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet July 1-2.

Only Russia has enough nuclear weapons "to wipe us out," Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., D-Del., said in chairing a review of strained relations with Moscow by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In tandem with European leaders, Bush should make it clear that Russia has much to gain by cooperating on Iran's nuclear program, the future of Kosovo and on missile defense, Biden said.

"Whatever our game plan has been _ and I'm not convinced we've had one _ it clearly isn't working," he said.

Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., the panel's senior Republican, praised Bush for inviting Putin to meet him July 1-2 at Kennebunkport, Maine, at the oceanfront estate of Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush.

It is an opportunity for the two leaders to lead the United States and Russia toward a stronger partnership, Lugar said.

Specifically, Lugar urged Bush and Putin "to solidfy new areas of cooperation" on weapons of mass destruction. He called on Bush to make sure a pivotal 1991 treaty reducing long-range U.S. and Russian nuclear missiles by about one-third, due to expire in December 2009, be extended with legally binding language.

Also, Lugar said, "Russia and the United States must come together to address the threat posed by Iran's nucear weapons program."

"For too long, our governments have been at odds over how to respond to Tehran's behavior," he said.

Iran has rejected U.N. Security Council demands that it suspend uranium enrichment, saying its program is not designed to produce nuclear weapons.

Testifying before the committee Thursday, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said "the Russians have moved steadily to put pressure on Iran," although not as rapidly as the United States wanted.

He also said Bush would discuss with Putin an offer by the Russian leader to share radar facilities in Gabala, Azerbaijan, to monitor potential missile launches by Iran or other countries.