Bush, Putin meet in Maine

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine, July 2 (UPI) -- A White House spokesman said not to expect major announcements from a meeting between U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Maine.

"I would caution against expecting grand, new announcements. This is, in fact, an opportunity for two leaders to talk honestly and candidly with one another, and they get to -- they're the ones who are going to control the agenda," Tony Snow said Sunday, Voice of America reported.

Snow said there was no formal agenda for the two presidents' meeting at the Bush family home on the Maine coast. The United States' proposal to build a long-range missile defense system in Eastern Europe, a plan Putin strongly opposes, was expected to be discussed.

Putin arrived at sprawling compound Sunday and presented flowers to first lady Laura Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush. Both President George Bush and his father, the former president, were on hand to greet Putin.