Bush scolds Russia on democratic reform

BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush urged Russia on Monday to "renew a commitment to democracy and the rule of law" and said Europe and the United States should make such reforms central to relations with Moscow.
Days before he was due to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bush said in a speech that "for Russia to make progress as a European nation, the Russian government must renew a commitment to democracy and the rule of law."

02/21/2005 13:44 GMT - AFP