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Putin praises Bush, says he remains his personal friend

BORDEAUX, Feb 13 /Prime-TASS/ -- U.S. President George W. Bush is "a very profound man and strong politician," Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters late Wednesday before leaving for Moscow, ITAR-TASS reported Thursday.

Putin was on a three-day official visit to France.

Putin said that Bush remained his "personal friend."

"I hope he will remain (my personal friend in the future as well)," he added.

But Putin said that he still disagreed with Bush over the United States' plans to attack Iraq.

At the same time he said that "Bush does not want to go to war."

"He told me this himself," Putin said, adding that he was not yet sure whether the U.S. administration will decide to attack Iraq without the backing of a UN resolution.

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