The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Moscow - President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that changing the Russian Constitution wasn't on the agenda - a statement apparently intended to end speculation that he may seek an extension of his term by pushing constitutional amendments through the newly elected parliament. Putin, who has remained Russia's most popular politician since his 2000 election, is expected to easily win a second four-year term next March. Some observers have suggested that he may later seek an extension of his tenure through amendments that would overturn the existing two-term limit. Washington - President George W. Bush said Tuesday after meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that he opposes the apparent interest of Taiwan's leaders in taking steps toward independence. Meeting with reporters in the Oval Office after a 40-minute meeting with Wen, Bush said he told the premier: "The United States policy is one China. We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo, and the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally, to change the status quo, which we oppose." Tehran - Drug smugglers have demanded $7.8 million in ransom for three western tourists they kidnapped in southeastern Iran, officials said Tuesday.
