Lithuania stalls resumption of NATO-Russia talks

Brussels - A push by NATO to immediately re-start talks with Russia stalled Thursday after Lithuania insisted a formal decision be taken only at the alliance's annual summit in April. 'The discussions were very lively,' said Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg at a meeting with fellow NATO colleagues in Brussels. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, backed by the alliance's largest members - among them the United States and Germany - had called for an immediate decision to restart talks, which the alliance froze in August in protest at Russia's invasion of Georgia. But a decision to that effect was delayed because of concerns in the former Soviet republic. 'I think it's a bit premature to open formal dialogue. I think we have to use this time before the summit and encourage Russia to be more cooperative on all the various questions which are a part of NATO security agenda,' Lithuanian Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas said at the start of the talks. However, Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins was convinced that a compromise would eventually be found. 'We are always able to reach a deal,' Riekstins said. Sources close to the negotiations said new US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had been particularly vocal in stressing the need to 'explore a fresh start' with Russia. Thursday's meeting came as Georgian officials accused Russia of repeatedly violating the country's airspace, in a sign of the continued tensions in the region. NATO foreign ministers decided to suspend meetings of the NATO-Russia Council - the usual format for talks with Russia - on August 19 as a sign that there could be 'no business as usual' with Moscow. But all but one of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's 26 members believe it is time for the alliance to re-engage with Russia over issues such as Afghanistan and Iran. In introductory remarks to the meeting, the NATO chief said allies needed to reflect 'on a positive agenda that befits the importance of NATO and Russia to European, and indeed global, security.' 'While not shying away at all from the serious differences of opinion that remain between NATO and Russia, in particular about Georgia, we also acknowledge that we have obvious common interests with Russia,' such as Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, he said. 'The crisis which is now behind us militarily ... cannot leave us in a situation where we refuse to talk,' said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a long-time advocate of reconciliation with Moscow. Britain's David Miliband, whose country has been traditionally wary of Moscow's renewed assertiveness, was equally conciliatory, saying that despite Russia's role in Georgia, 'NATO and Russia need to work together.' 'I think it is important that NATO move to re-establish the NATO- Russian Council. I think that gives us an opportunity to put our concerns directly to the Russians. It also allows us to engage on issues of mutual concern in a number of areas,' Miliband said. Thursday's meeting was the first to be attended by Clinton and is the last of its kind before NATO leaders hold a summit on April 3-4 in Strasbourg and Baden Baden. The talks over Russia stole precious time from planned discussions on how to beef up the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and finalize its role in providing security during that country's August 20 presidential and provincial elections.