Nato 'to resume ties with Russia'

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

Nato has agreed to a "conditional and graduated re-engagement" with Russia, the alliance's secretary general says.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said talks with Moscow, which were frozen over its war with Georgia in August, would resume.

The Nato-Russia Council is not being restored, but the Nato chief said lower-level talks would take place.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7759833.stm

[bemildred]

1. Well good, they aren't going to do it no matter what, or all at once.

Sober, measured, and rational, that's NATO.

[unkachuck]

2. what the hell....

....do they talk about anyway? Natos' newest provocation? Russias' latest muscle-flexing?....this is make-work for diplomats....energy trumps Nato....

"While the US and newer Nato members, from the former Warsaw Pact, are keen to draw Georgia and Ukraine closer, others like Germany and France are wary of antagonising Russia, a key energy supplier."

"The Nato-Russia Council is not being restored..."

....what a punishment, a real diplomatic loss; no more free beer and hot dogs at the Nato-Russia Council BBQ/picnic next summer....

[razors edge]

3. The ball was in NATO's court.

Russia's claims over the whole incident never changed, and were never discredited.

Had NATO disbanded when the USSR did, this would not even be happening.

[Jack Sprat]

4. True.

NATO should include Russia or disband it now. Russia could and should be allied and not made to feel like an adversary. So much could be accomplished to secure peace around the world with the superpowers working in concert together.