ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, April 06, SPA -- U.S. President George W. Bush's national security adviser says the leaders of theU.S. and Russia can leave the missile defense issue totheir successors after failing to reach agreement in theirlast meeting together as Presidents. Stephen Hadley made the comments aboard Air Force Onefollowing farewell talks Sunday in Russia between Bush andPresident Vladimir Putin, who leaves office on May 7. Asked whether he expects the U.S. and Russia to achieve amissile defense agreement before Bush leaves office inJanuary, Hadley said: «They can leave that to theirprospective successors.» The White House says Bush will soon be dealing withRussian President-election Dmitry Medvedev, although Hadleysuggested that Putin would likely stay involved on missiledefense and other foreign policy matters. He says «thatseems to be a good thing, not a bad thing.»--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/543478