US President Mr George W. Bush declared today he had taken the "right decision" in expelling 50 Russian diplomats but said he was sure the escalating spy dispute would not harm relations with Moscow.
"The actions we took yesterday speak for themselves," Bush told reporters. "I'm confident that we can have good relations with the Russians. There are some areas where we can work together."
The United States formally told Russia that four of its diplomats were to leave within 10 days, and another 46 must depart by July 1, igniting the fiercest espionage row between the countries since the Soviet Union collapsed.
White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer said Mr Bush started weighing his options "almost immediately" after FBI special agent Robert Hanssen, a counterintelligence expert, was arrested on suspicion he spied for Moscow for 15 years.
Mr Bush's national security advisor, Ms Condoleezza Rice, told reporters that US officials expect to have a fruitful and beneficial relationship with Russia. "We see Russia as a potential partner in many parts of the world," she said.
But Russian Foreign Minister Mr Igor Ivanov said today Russia will expel the same number of diplomats as have been told to leave Washington, according to a CNN television report today.
In a broadcast from Moscow, CNN reporter Mr Steve Harrigan, said Mr Ivanov had been in touch with his US counterpart Mr Colin Powell and had told him Russia did not want to expel the diplomats but they had to take adequate measures.
CNN said Mr Ivanov had told Mr Powell none of the expulsions by Washington had been justified.
Asked when the American diplomats would have to leave, Mr Ivanov told CNN: they won't have long to wait.
AFP