Editing by Richard Balmforth World Russia

Bush, which survived frequent disagreements over policy.Putin, who is widely regarded as Russia's paramount leader in his role as premier, said Moscow had noted positive signals from the Obama camp on U.S. plans to build an anti-missile system something Moscow says threatens its security."This concerns missile defense: we have heard that it may not be that badly needed," Putin told German media editors."We also heard that the security of countries like Ukraine and Georgia can be ensured through other means and there is no need to immediately grant them NATO membership," he added.Russia has strongly opposed Washington's plans to shepherd former Soviet states into the Western military alliance.Putin said Russia and the United States could cooperate in curbing the arms race, as well as on the Middle East, Iran and the global economic crisis."We are ready for such cooperation, and will wait for a political realization of what we heard during the (Obama) election campaign," he said.The Russian premier said he was not impressed by European euphoria over Obama."The fact that some European states were strongly inspired by Obama shows that Europeans recently saw many negative things in U.S. policy," he said.(Editing by Richard Balmforth) World Russia. ISTANBUL, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Turkish automotive exports fell69.3 percent in the first half of January due to suspensions inproduction during the month, state-run news agency Anatolianreported on Saturday, quoting an exporters' association.

Stocks Export sales were $250.9 million in the first half ofJanuary 2009 against $818.9 million in the same period lastyear, the Uludag Exporters Association said. Exports to European Union countries fell between 50 and 99percent during the period. Another automotive sector association said last week it sawexports falling between 15 and 20 percent in 2009 Turkey exports vehicles mainly to the European Union. Toyota(7203.T), Renault (RENA.PA), Ford (F.N) and Hyundai (005380.KS)are among manufacturers with plants in the country. Several producers have had to suspend production as theglobal economic crisis bites into demand at home and abroad.

Exports of vehicles and components are a key driver forTurkey's economy and were worth $21.26 billion in 2007. Stocks. TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's Oil Ministry anticipates an oil price of about $40 a barrel in 2009, the official IRNA news agency quoted Oil Minister Gholamhossein Nozari as saying on Saturday.Nozari also said oil producers outside OPEC were not cooperating with the organization in reducing crude output to restore stability to the market, IRNA said.(Reporting by Hashem Kalantari; Writing by Fredrik Dahl; Editing by Anthony Barker). Once again hockey pest Sean Avery has found himself in some hot water with the National Hockey League. After keeping his nose clean since getting into trouble last year while with the Dallas Stars this seven year veteran who has six points thus far with the New York Rangers is being accused by current Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau of calling him fat. Boudreau who coached Avery back in 2003 with the American Hockey League’s Manchester Monarchs mentioned in his book called ‘Gabby: Confessions Of A Hockey Lifer that Avery made those remarks during game seven of last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.