Russia and US to sign military co-operation plan

The top Russian and US military officers met in Moscow today to discuss bi-lateral military ties, and the Russian general said the day’s talks would end in the signing of a plan for closer co-operation.

It was US Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace’s first visit to Russia since being named chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff last year.

“I came to listen and learn about ways we can do good military-to-military for both Russia and the United States,” Pace said before the delegations began their meeting in an ornate room at the Defence Ministry.

No details of the military co-operation plan were made available.

Earlier, Pace laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Moscow, and he called the experience “a very poignant reminder to me of the very special relationship our two nations have had for many years”.

His Russian counterpart, Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky, quoted a proverb he said he had heard during a trip to Japan. “The strong one never unsheathes the sword.”

“We represent the militaries of the two strongest nations of the world: Russia and the United States,” Baluyevsky said. “I hope we will resolve all problems with this good proverb in mind.”

Baluyevsky said the Russian and US analysis of many issues was “very close”, but he also said the two top military officers would discuss “problems to which ... we must find solutions and adopt these solutions as quickly as possible”.

Neither Baluyevsky nor Pace would elaborate on those problems, but the American general said he had no doubt that “together we can find proper solutions”.

“I am anxious for military-to-military co-operation to show through its transparency the potential for our two nations to walk into the future hand in hand,” Pace said.

Russia has been highly critical of the US-led campaign in Iraq, while the United States has criticised Russia’s cooperation with Iran despite that country’s alleged nuclear weapons program. Russia has also objected vociferously to US plans to deploy missile defences in Nato nations in Eastern Europe.