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Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Bush as a "predictable partner" and said that if his slim lead in the U.S. election is confirmed, it would mean the American people had not given in to the threats of international terrorists.
"If Bush wins, I would feel happy that the American people have not allowed themselves to be scared and made the decision they considered reasonable," Putin said at a Kremlin news conference following talks with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Putin said U.S.-Russian relations have improved under Bush's presidency "for the benefit of our peoples and global security."
Bush has shown himself to be a "tough politician, a man with strong character ... and a predictable partner," Putin said.
