In Maine, Bush tries to revive rapport with Putin

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (Reuters) - President George W. Bush sought to mend his strained relationship with Vladimir Putin on Sunday, as he hosted the Russian president at his family's oceanfront home for talks on Iran and plans to build a U.S. missile shield in Eastern Europe.

Just before Putin arrived, more than a thousand anti-war protesters rallied near the century-old Kennebunkport estate of Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush.

While waiting for the Russian president, Bush spoke publicly for the first time about the car explosion at Glasgow airport and bomb plots in London, saying, "It just goes to show the war against these extremists goes on."

He praised British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for a "very strong response" to the attacks."

When Putin arrived, Bush shook his hand as he got out of a limousine at Walker's Point and then ushered him toward the guest house.

Putin's invitation to the family compound marks the first time Bush will host a foreign leader there and the presence of the president's father lends extra prestige to the visit.

Foreign policy analysts say the venue underscores Washington's seriousness about soothing tensions between the two countries that have evoked comparisons to the Cold War.

U.S. and Russian officials have described the Kennebunkport meeting as informal and played down any expectations of breakthroughs on difficult issues, such as the missile shield plan, independence for Kosovo and the United States' accusations that Russia is backsliding on democracy.

Protesters descended on picturesque Kennebunkport seeking to remind Bush of public opposition to the Iraq war.

Taking advantage of blanket media coverage of the summit, some 1,500 demonstrators marched along Ocean Avenue toward the Bush estate, banging drums and chanting "impeach W, impeach Cheney too."

With his public approval ratings slipping below 30 percent, Bush has pleaded for patience with his Iraq strategy in the countdown to a September progress report on a U.S. troop buildup intended to stabilize the country.

Though Putin has been among the most outspoken international critics of Bush's Iraq policy, the war is not expected to figure prominently in talks during his visit, which will last less than 24 hours.

Iran is one topic the White House is eager to raise. Bush wants to try to enlist Putin's support for wider economic sanctions aimed at pressuring Tehran over its nuclear program.

Western powers suspect Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists its program is for civilian electricity.

(Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Oleg Shchedrov)