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Russian Official Urges NATO Reform NewsMax.com WiresMOSCOW - Russian State Duma speaker Gennady Seleznyov said Thursday he opposed plans of a possible government rapprochement with NATO and said the Cold War-era alliance should be replaced by a new security structure. Seleznyov's controversial remarks came as NATO Security-General George Robertson toured Moscow and met with several high-ranking government officials. Robertson was scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. He told the Itar-Tass news agency that NATO, as a Cold War-era organization, cannot cope with new threats and should be replaced with an organization that includes India and China. "If we want to ensure international security and protection from terrorism, including biological and nuclear, we should create a new structure, which such broad powers that India and China could join," the speaker said. Seleznyov added that NATO "is not a panacea, not a salvation, but an archaic Cold War remnant." Despite the harsh criticism of NATO, Robertson met Thursday with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov. He said the talks centered on "concrete cooperation" between Russia and NATO, and the ongoing fight against terrorism. Robertson admitted that after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the alliance changed its attitude toward terrorism in Chechnya. He told Itar-Tass that NATO jointly with Russia will defeat international terrorism and terrorists should know that no political or religious motives could justify the killing of innocent people. Robertson believes Russia and NATO should work to stop proliferation of deadly weapons and materials and examine possible joint steps in the creation of a proposed Russian tactical anti-missile defense. On Friday, Robertson will meet with the Russian president to discuss prospects of enhanced cooperation between Russia and the alliance. Putin said on Thursday that Russia will not "line up to enter NATO," as it can ensure its security itself. However, Putin said he would like to enhance cooperation with NATO on many issues. Copyright 2001 by United Press International. All rights reserved.
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