Threat to WTO membership angers Russia

BLOCKING Russia from joining the World Trade Organisation because of the conflict in Georgia would defy commonsense and break western promises, a Russian official said in response to US warnings.

A senior US official said that Russian integration into international institutions such as the WTO was in question because of Moscow’s military operations in Georgia. President George W Bush said on Wednesday the fighting was hurting Russia’s efforts to join global economic and security bodies.

“The statements that our accession should be delayed because of events in Georgia sound strange,” said the senior Russian official. “It contradicts basic logic, common sense and promises given by western governments to Russia.”