Bush, Putin Disagree Over Call for Mideast Cease-Fire (Update2)

[G2099]

July 15 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern over escalating violence in the Middle East while parting company over the issue of a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Bush declined to endorse the Russian leader's call for such a cease-fire . . .

``It is absolutely unacceptable to try to reach political goals through the use of force,'' Putin said through a translator at a joint news conference with Bush after their meeting. ``At the same time, we work under the assumption that the use of force should be balanced. In any case, bloodshed should stop as soon as possible.''

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=asnWVDKNYa8Q&refer=worldwide_news

[acmavm]

1. bush** can hardly support an end to the fighting in Lebanon when he

is the impetus of all the death and destruction in Iraq.