Nato Debates How To Live With Russia

Perry went on to air some ideas on how Russia might be drawn into the European security order without altering the basic fact: full Nato members are bound by a pledge to defend one another - in article five of its founding treaty - while countries associated with Nato, however closely, are not.

The US Pentagon says Russia could be involved in virtually everything the alliance does except the fulfilment of its basic article five'' obligations - which in any case are taking up a diminishing share of Nato's energy as new tasks, such as peace-keeping, take pride of place.

 

This formula would enable Russia to take part in a host of Nato committees and forums for military planning.

US officials have even suggested that Russia post officers to Nato's influential permanent bureaucracy, the International Military Staff.

No other non-member of the alliance has received such an offer. So wide-ranging are the Pentagon's proposals for broadening contacts with Russia that some of Nato's smaller members, and would-be members, fear the alliance's ability to carry out its core functions could be watered down.

It is prepared if necessary to expand the alliance without Moscow's assent But the US administration's enthusiasm for a closer Nato-Russian relationship is tempered by a qualification: while the west will do everything it can to improve security co-operation with Russia, it is prepared if necessary to expand the alliance without Moscow's assent.

Britain, which was cautious when the idea of Nato enlargement was first aired, has swung round to the US position which insists that Russia must not be allowed to veto or slow down the expansion any further.

This means sticking to the timetable already sketched out by the alliance: entry talks with at least three countries