Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=02/19/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUSSIA / NATO (L-O) CQ

NUMBER=2-272759

BYLINE=LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

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/// EDS: CR SHOULD HOLD UNTIL FIRST ROUND OF MEETINGS AFTER 6 UTC TUESDAY - 1 AM EST ///

INTRO: NATO Secretary-General George Robertson is to arrive in Moscow (Monday) for talks that are to include NATO's eastward expansion and a proposed U-S missile defense system. Larry James reports from the Russian capital that relations between the Kremlin and the Atlantic alliance have been strained recently.

TEXT: Secretary-General George Robertson is to reopen a NATO information office that Russia shut down two-years ago to protest the military campaign against Yugoslavia. NATO says the mission of the office will be to dispel negative stereotypes about the Atlantic alliance.

Mr. Robertson is to meet with President Vladimir Putin and other officials following a tense week that began with U-S accusations that Russia was exporting missile technology to Iran and North Korea - and ended with U-S and British air strikes on targets near Baghdad. Both actions drew indignant responses from Russian officials.

NATO's relations with Russia have also been strained by expansion of the alliance to include Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Russia rejects any further NATO moves eastward as a potential threat to its sovereignty.

Russia is especially concerned about a proposal to extend alliance membership to Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Some observers say Russia hopes they will be able to impress on Mr. Robertson how seriously the Kremlin objects to such an expansion. Russia has threatened to retaliate to such a move with a military buildup of its own.

Individual members, including the United States, support the Baltic countries in their bid to join NATO, but the alliance has not made any commitments.

President Putin has suggested that Russia and NATO develop an anti-missile defense system as an alternative to the U-S National Missile Defense system, which Moscow is against. That idea has not received much support, and is viewed by many as an attempt to split the alliance.

Also under discussion during Secretary-General Robertson's visit will be joint Russian-NATO peacekeeping efforts, Russia's military doctrine, and arms control. (SIGNED)

NEB/LDJ/GE/RAE