Russia, NATO ties unharmed

Moscow - A Russian general said yesterday US-British air strikes against Iraq would hamper Moscow's military co-operation with…

Moscow - A Russian general said yesterday US-British air strikes against Iraq would hamper Moscow's military co-operation with Washington and London but ties with NATO would not be affected, Interfax news agency said.

"After what has happened we are not going to pretend everything is alright in relations [with the US and Britain]," Col-Gen Leonid Ivashov said. "Though reducing the pace of mutually beneficial co-operation in the military sphere, Russia is not going to sever it totally," said Gen Ivashov, who is in charge of international co-operation in the Defence Ministry.

Gen Ivashov said there was no change in plans for NATO to open a representative office in Moscow. Russia has already opened an office in Brussels.