BUSH'S SOUL MATE

DURING HIS FIRST term as president of Russia, Vladimir Putin used his power, his popularity and his secret police connections to ensure that his political opposition would effectively cease to exist. In four years he managed to weaken the independent media, particularly the broadcast media; chip away at the fairness of the electoral process; and ensure that opposition parties no longer have any sway in the Russian parliament.

Sound like anyone we know?

Aides said Bush, who during the two leaders' first meeting in Slovenia in June said he had looked into Putin's soul and determined he could trust the Russian, yesterday told Putin: "You're the kind of guy I like to have in a foxhole with me."