Bush win 'victory over terror'

2004-11-03 17:32

Moscow - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that a win by George W Bush in the US election would mean victory over terror.

"I have said that international terrorism wanted to derail Bush's (chances of) victory," Putin told a press conference.

"If Bush wins, then I will be able to rejoice that the American people did not allow themselves to be scared and made a right decision," said the Russian leader, cautioning that it is necessary "to wait for official results".

But Putin warned that relations between Moscow and Washington, former Cold War foes, would not be easy following the election.

"Whoever wins the election, dialogue with the USA will not be easy," he said. "There will always be problems between countries like Russia and the United States."

"During the (past) four years ... our relations have improved considerably, both for the good of our people and for our security," he said. "I hope that we will not have to start from zero."

Putin was among a handful of world leaders, along with the prime ministers of Italy and Japan, to have openly supported Bush's reelection bid.

Two weeks before the US vote, Putin said international terror groups aimed to sink Bush's reelection efforts.

"International terrorists aim to cause maximum damage to Bush ... to not allow his reelection to a second term," he said on October 18.

- AFP