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Russia Criticizes NATO's Expansion
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| Contributor | Gerald Farinas |
| Last Edited | Gerald Farinas Aug 14, 2004 01:06pm |
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| Category | News |
| News Date | Saturday, August 14, 2004 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Russia Criticizes NATO's Expansion
The Honolulu Advertiser
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov on Saturday criticized NATO's expansion into three former Soviet states on the Baltic Sea and warned that NATO warplanes flying patrols over those countries create a risk of accidental incidents. Ivanov, speaking at a press conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, questioned the need for the patrols but said they pose no real threat to Russia. The patrols are flown by four NATO fighter jets because the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have no air forces of their own. "We cannot understand how these four planes can intercept al-Qaida, the Taliban, or anything else," Ivanov said. "The only thing they can intercept is a mythical Soviet threat." Rumsfeld said there was no need for friction between NATO and Russia. He suggested Russia strike an accord with the Baltic nations to avoid any "unnecessary incidents," a possible reference to what might occur if a warplane violates a country's airspace. |
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