Bush, Putin set for tense July 1-2 summit

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a summit in July to "ventilate" relations amid a fierce dispute over missile defense, US officials said Wednesday.

The two leaders, who will see each other next week at a multi-nation meeting in Germany, will hold talks July 1-2 at former US president George Bush's oceanside home in Kennebunkport, Maine, said White House spokesman Tony Snow.

Asked why they would meet there rather than previous locales like Moscow, or the White House, or Bush's Texas ranch, or a third country, Snow replied: "Why not? It's a cool place to have it. Are you kidding me?"

Bush and Putin were to shore up cooperation in curbing Iran's suspect nuclear program and disarming North Korea while...