Dateline: June 2001

President Bush at Joint White House Press Conference with Vladimir Putin. Mr. Bush speaking:

“I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy.”

“I brought up concerns about Iran. And I’m hesitant to put words in the President’s mouth, but he said he’s concerned, as well — I think that accurately categorizes your position — and we’ll work together to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction.”

“We also agreed to continue our cooperation and work toward common solutions on important regional issues, from the Balkans to Nagorno-Karabakh to Afghanistan. And we discussed our common interest in developing the energy resources of the Caspian Basin in a way that benefits all the countries of the region.”

Dateline: October 16, 2007

Vladimir Putin Speaking with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:

“We are saying that no Caspian nation should offer its territory to third powers for use of force or military aggression against any Caspian state,” Putin said.

“Threatening someone, in this case the Iranian leadership and Iranian people, will lead nowhere,” Putin said Monday during his trip to Germany. “They are not afraid, believe me.”

At a summit of the five nations that border the inland Caspian Sea, Putin said, “We are saying that no Caspian nation should offer its territory to third powers for use of force or military aggression against any Caspian state.”

It wasn’t stated if all Caspian nations sang Kumbaya but a possible fishing trip to Kennebunkport, Maine could be in the works. Putin always brings flowers. Maybe this time he could bring terrorist Ahmadinejad too.