DATE=2/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA - NATO RELATIONS (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259188
BYLINE=BILL GASPERINI
DATELINE=MOSCOW
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  NATO Secretary General George Robertson is 
coming to Moscow to meet Russian leaders on Wednesday 
in an attempt to mend relations that were severely 
strained last year.  Russia angrily denounced the NATO 
intervention against Yugoslavia over Kosovo,.but 
things are improving now, as we hear from reporter 
Bill Gasperini in Moscow.

TEXT: The visit of the NATO Secretary General 
represents the highest level of contact between the 
military alliance and Russia since the Kosovo crisis.

And before leaving for Moscow, Secretary-General 
Robertson said he was looking to put that divisive 
issue behind. Speaking in Brussels, Lord Robertson 
said he hopes to restart a process of cooperation with 
Russia that was formalized in a 1997 agreement.

The NATO chief is due to meet with Russia's defense 
and foreign ministers, and possibly with Acting 
President Vladimir Putin.

Russia has not confirmed that a meeting with Mr. Putin 
will in fact occur; it may depend on how things go at 
the preliminary meetings.

The visit has been under discussion for two months, as 
the two sides negotiated an agenda.

A leading official with the Defense Ministry says 
Russia wants to talk about European security issues 
and fighting terrorism.  General Leonid Ivashov says 
Russia also wants to see if NATO is serious about 
taking Moscow's position fully into account.

Russia angrily froze relations with NATO last year 
after denouncing what it called the "aggression" 
against Yugoslavia.  Moscow still maintains the 
bombing campaign was illegal, and that Western nations 
simply ignored Russia and its concerns about security.

The bombing was especially galling to Russia because 
it came just weeks after former Soviet bloc allies 
Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic formally joined 
NATO.  To many, this symbolized just how weak Russia 
had become after the collapse of Communism.

It took until late last year for both Russia and NATO 
to express a willingness to move on.

Analysts say Lord Robertson's visit is unlikely to 
dispel all of the mistrust Russia still has for the 
alliance.  But at least both sides say it is time to 
make a new start. (Signed)

NEB/bg/gm  



15-Feb-2000 15:42 PM EDT (15-Feb-2000 2042 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.