Military

DATE=11/22/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-296742

TITLE=NATO SUMMIT WRAP (S)

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=PRAGUE

CONTENT=

INTRO: NATO leaders have ended a two-day summit in Prague by pledging to strengthen the alliance's ties to former Soviet republics in the Caucasus and Central Asia. The pledge came a day after NATO invited seven East European countries to join the Western defense pact. V-O-A correspondent Roger Wilkison reports NATO has also reassured Russia that its eastward expansion does not threaten that country's security.

TEXT: Diplomats say it has been a good summit for NATO. The alliance agreed to take in new members, create a new strike force, acquire new equipment, and strengthen its partnerships with countries stretching from the Black Sea up to the Chinese border so that they can better fight terrorism.

NATO's enlargement still disturbs Russia. But Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov sought to play down the issue Friday, saying Moscow is more interested in the alliance increasing its ties with Russia so that they can jointly deal with terrorism and other security challenges.

NATO Secretary General George Robertson says the alliance has reinvented itself at this summit to face these new challenges. But what role it plays in the years ahead will depend on whether the European allies deliver on their pledges to improve their military capabilities.

After months of doubts about NATO's relevance in the post-September 11th world, President Bush called the alliance America's most important relationship. The allies responded by warning Iraq of severe consequences if it fails to cooperate with United Nations weapons inspectors. (Signed)

NEB/RW/KL/KBK