Nato seeks understanding with Moscow

NATO IS worried that a 'perceptual gap' is opening up with Russia, a senior source said in Brussels at the weekend. The Western alliance hopes to close this with a series of meetings over the next two weeks. They are aimed at clarifying how far it will go to bring central and eastern Europe into Western security structures, but also at assuaging Moscow's concerns.

For its part, the alliance hopes to hear clarifications of Russia's new military doctrine, particularly regarding Ukraine and the use of Russian troops in regional conflicts in Central Asia and the Caucusus.

Comments from Yevgeny Primakov, head of Russia's foreign intelligence service, about Nato plans to expand its activities eastwards, have added to concern about contradictory signals from Moscow. Mr Primakov said that plans to create 'partnerships for peace' with central and eastern Europe (ie, military co-operation agreements) amounted to a threat to Russia.

'It is evident that Nato is not an aggressive alliance,' said the official. Nato was going to great lengths to create a new strategic relationship with Moscow. And new links with central and eastern Europe would help to stabilise the region, which was in Russia's interests, he said.

But, Mr Primakov added: 'It does point to a perceptual gap'. There is some concern in Brussels that, though political and military relations with Moscow have improved, internal developments in Russia are feeding anti-Western statements. There are contradictory messages coming from the Russian military, diplomats and officials, said the source. 'We have a lot more work to do', he added.

Boris Yeltsin is to meet Manfred Worner, the alliance's Secretary-General, next week. This week, the alliance is holding a meeting of foreign ministers on Thursday, and bringing in foreign ministers of the former Warsaw Pact countries on Friday.

It is hoped that at this meeting, Russia will explain its new military doctrine and the West will be able to make clearer its intentions.

Central and eastern European states have also expressed alarm about the rumbling disagreements. As the extent of the security vacuum there becoming increasingly apparent, they fear that statements such as those of Mr Primakov are aimed at extending Russia's military role in the region.

Ukraine's top arms negotiator said on Friday every state had the right to decide its own foreign policy. 'No single state has the right or should have the right to decide these questions, to have the right of veto over anyone's right to join Nato', he said.

But discussions on the future enlargement of the alliance have also hit some hurdles among the 16 member states. Disagreement about how far they can go will be voiced at a special summit next year on opening a 'perspective' for new members; some states are prepared to go further than others.

'A number of countries have some hesitations about expanding the membership of Nato at this moment', said Andre Ouellet, Canada's new Foreign Minister last week.

There is also uncertainty about what rights will be conferred by the new partnerships, and in particular the right to consult with the alliance. And Nato wants member states to commit themselves to giving the alliance more cash to run the new arrangements with central and eastern Europe, to fund exercises, communication links and new offices. This is likely to be unwelcome at a time of high and rising budget deficits.