Military

NATO

¨         President Bush said he'll assure President Putin this week that Russia "has nothing to fear" from NATO expansion into territory once claimed by the Soviet Union. Bush also said the alliance will play an increasing role in tracking down international terrorists. "Russia is not a threat, and therefore the military strategies of NATO need to be changed to recognize that new reality," Bush said Monday, previewing his trip in a round-table interview with eastern European reporters.(Reuters 190301 Nov 02 GMT)

¨         In their last scheduled meeting ahead of this week's NATO summit, ambassadors agreed details Monday of plans to beef up the alliance's capacity in response to new threats from terrorists or rogue states. Officials at NATO headquarters said the ambassadors finalized a draft agreement on a rapid deployment force of over 20,000 troops with a core able to mobilize within a week in reaction to threats around the world. Details of the plan, which will involve land, sea and air units from Europe and North America, will be announced at the summit opening Thursday. The ambassadors also held a final, behind-closed-doors meeting on NATO's plan to invite new members from the old communist bloc to join the western alliance. Officials insisted the decision on which nations will be allowed in will only be released when the summit opens Thursday morning. The ambassadors also agreed on a package of measures designed to modernize NATO's military hardware and better prepare alliance forces to respond quickly to the multifaceted dangers of the post-Sept. 11 world. The so-called "Prague capabilities package" to be confirmed at the summit is at attempt to narrow the gap between U.S. military might and European forces weakened by  years of defense cuts.(AP 182116 Nov 02 GMT)

NATO SUMMIT

¨         President  Bush said on Monday he was going to a NATO summit seeking support for his hard-line policy against Iraq, and for shifting the alliance's mission toward fighting against terrorism. Bush leaves on Tuesday to attend the NATO summit. He is due to visit Russia, Romania and Lithuania as well before returning to Washington on Saturday. Bush, in an interview with reporters from each nation he will visit, said he would discuss with the allies his pledge that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein disarm peaceably on his own or by military force. Bush indicated he would be making no request for NATO military assistance against Iraq at this summit. If military action is needed, Bush said he would consult again with NATO members "and everybody will be able to make the decision that they're comfortable with.    "I hope it happens peacefully. But if it doesn't, people will know that our intent is to lead a coalition of like-minded, freedom-loving countries, to disarm Saddam Hussein. One way or the other, he's going to be disarmed. And it's in everybody's interest that that be the case. So we'll talk about that," Bush said.(Reuters 2300 181102 Nov 02 GMT)

BALKANS

¨         France blocked plans for an extension of NATO's military presence in Macedonia (sic)  on Monday, demanding that the alliance leave the door open for the EU to take over its peacekeeping mission, diplomats said. "Their primary interest is in getting the EU in there," said one diplomat, who asked not to be named. "They're trying to configure it in a way that makes this inevitable and easy."  French officials were not immediately available to comment on the outcome of Monday's North Atlantic Council session at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels.  Diplomats said France was isolated at the meeting of NATO ambassadors on the question of maintaining a reduced alliance force in Macedonia (sic)  when the mandate of  Task Force Fox expires on December 15.  A NATO diplomat said that France was not opposed in principle to the alliance staying on beyond December 15, but it was adamant that any new mandate should not be for as long as the six months being mooted by some allies. "They want to limit the timeframe to leave open the opportunity for the EU to take over in the new year," he said.(Reuters 2041 181102 Nov 02 GMT)

¨         The NATO-led peace force in Bosnia said on Monday it had detained a man on suspicion of spying on its troops.     Sabahudin Fijuljanin was detained on October 26 and an anti-tank grenade launcher and a number of passports from two countries had been found at his home, SFOR officials said. SFOR spokesman Yves Vanier told Reuters investigations so far had increased suspicions that Fijuljanin posed a threat to the peacekeeping force. "We found out that he had multiple passports in his name,"  Vanier told Reuters. Local media have described Fijuljanin as a Bosnian citizen but SFOR said it had uncovered "serious questions" about his citizenship.(Reuters 1857 181102 Nov 02 GMT)

TURKEY-EU

¨         President Bush on Monday stepped up a diplomatic offensive in support of Turkey's bid to join the EU, hoping to gain favor from a critical ally in any U.S.-led war with Iraq.     Bush highlighted the importance of Ankara's bid in a telephone call with the current EU president, Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen, a White House official said.     The Bush administration is also assembling a military and economic aid package to help Turkey weather major economic disruptions if war with Baghdad breaks out, according to administration and congressional sources.  According to congressional sources, Bush is considering an initial $700 million-$800 million package, which, in addition to economic assistance, could clear the way for Turkey to purchase eight S-70B Seahawks and six UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. "We expect to suffer a great deal of damage in the event of a new (Iraq) operation. I told them these economic losses should be met with some kind of recompense," the head of Turkey's powerful military, Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, said after meeting in Washington.(Reuters 2050 181102 Nov 02 GMT)

OTHER NEWS

¨         The Czech government decided on Monday to cancel a planned purchase of 24 fighter jets, an official said. Facing a staggering cleanup bill after devastating floods in August, the government said plans to buy 24 JAS-39 Gripen fighters made by Sweden's Saab and Britain's BAE Systems had to be reconsidered. "We have different priorities due to heavy flood damage," government spokeswoman Anna Starkova said. Without providing specific details, Starkova said the government could seek other options and was expected to make a decision by the end of the year.(AP 181838 Nov 02 GMT)