Russia agrees formula for Nato links

Agreement was reached last night to allow Russia a say in the political control of Nato's peace-implementation force in the former Yugoslavia, removing another important obstacle for the peace plan.

Operation Joint Endeavour, as the action is to be called, will be run by the 16 members of the Nato alliance in close consultation with Russia.

Russia, which has already agreed a formula for deploying its forces alongside the Nato troops, has always insisted that Moscow should have a say in the political command of the operation. Originally the Russians insisted political control of the force should come under United Nations command, but the US refused to accept a proposal that would have called into question the overall command of US generals.

Under the new formula Nato is confirmed as the command centre, but Russia will have a liaison role. Announcing the new formula at Nato headquarters in Brussels, William Perry, the US Defense Secretary, said a consultative commission would be established as a liaison mechanism between the North Atlantic Council, consisting of Nato's 16 ambassadors, and Russia.

Mr Perry said last night the arrangement would allow Nato to keep Russia informed of all decisions relating to deployment of the force, and would enable Russia to raise issues of concern and have its voice heard. The "16 plus one" formula was a historic agreement for East-West relations, said Mr Perry.

Mr Perry left Brussels last night clearly hoping that the deal, strongly endorsed by the Russians, will help persuadeCongress to support the deployment of US troops, without which the peace implementation force could not go ahead. Congress would have refused to accept any arrangement which brought into question US domination of control structures.

Pavel Grachev, the Russian Defence Minister, appeared entirely satisfied by the compromise. He said Nato defence ministers had shown a "clear commitment" to consult with Russia on the operation. Mr Grachev also said there were now "no questions which cannot be solved" between the two sides.