NATO Has Fixed Role For Russia

ISTANBUL -- NATO foreign ministers offered Russia closer ties Thursday but laid out clear conditions and rejected some of Moscow's demands for a special privileged status with the alliance.While the agreement reflected the alliance's desire to take into account Russia's status as a major world power and to improve troubled relations with Moscow, NATO also wants to make sure there can be no Russian veto over its decisions."Russia has a particular contribution to make, that is why we want a broad dialogue with her," NATO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Balanzino said after the meeting.But he added: "We will not draw new dividing lines across Europe, nor engage in a NATO-Russia condominium."A statement issued at the Istanbul meeting said NATO wanted to build "constructive relations of mutual respect" with Russia but made clear the alliance still intended to expand membership to Eastern Europe at some point, despite Russian opposition.Ties with Moscow could not interfere with NATO decisions."We will pursue the further development of this relationship in a way that complements and reinforces our relations with all the new democratic states to our East," the statement said. NATO urged Russia to join the Partnership for Peace scheme on closer military links with the alliance, which has been offered to all former Soviet bloc states and some other nations.Russia, complaining that the West ignored its views on issues ranging from Bosnia to arms control, has promised to sign the partnership after initial hesitation but has set no date. Twenty other countries have already signed.Moscow has also demanded special, formal ties with the alliance -- something that Eastern European nations fear could prevent them joining NATO through an effective Russian veto.The alliance made clear such a formal link was not possible but Balanzino said he hoped Russia would accept what was on offer from NATO.