Embassy Row

Russia and NATO

The United States is trying to make Russian critics understand that the expansion of NATO to Russia’s western border is a benefit, not a threat, to its national security, according to the U.S. ambassador in Moscow.

“Some old-fashioned ideas can still be heard from the older generation of Russians, for example, that the United States is trying to … encircle Russia,” Ambassador Alexander Vershbow told United Press International in a recent interview.

He rejected a warning from Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov that a “cold peace” could replace the Cold War with the inclusion of former Soviet client states in the Western military alliance.

“We have been emphatic that there is nothing threatening about NATO enlargement,” he said, adding that Washington is aware that the expansion “remains a concern for many Russians.”

He said for more than a decade, NATO has tried to show a change in strategy and focus more on threats outside Europe.

“NATO today is a different organization … and does not see Russia as a threat. NATO sees Russia as a partner,” he said.

“We make the case that Russia’s security is enhanced by having the countries to its west linked to a collective security structure, as these same countries are less likely to create problems in their relations with Russia.”

NATO and Russia are cooperating to fight terrorism, stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction and prevent regional conflicts, he said.

Release delights U.S.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker is relieved that Iraqi militants released three Japanese hostages unharmed last week. Two other Japanese captives were freed over the weekend.

“I want to express our delight in hearing the news that three Japanese hostages have been safely released and that they appear to be in good health,” Mr. Baker said in a message to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi after they were freed on Thursday.

“We extend our congratulations to the prime minister and the entire Japanese government, who worked to hard to bring about this happy outcome.”

The five hostages were taken at different times by terrorists demanding the withdrawal of Japanese troops from Iraq. Japan rejected those demands.

“We look forward to working with the Japanese government in our continuing effort in the reconstruction of Iraq,” Mr. Baker said.

Diplomatic traffic

Foreign visitors in Washington this week include:

Today

• Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Stefan Sofiansky, now mayor of Sofia. He addresses the Center for International Private Enterprise.

• Mehmet Aydin, state minister of Turkey, who addresses a two-day forum on Islam and democracy at Johns Hopkins’ School for Advanced International Studies.

• Jean-Marie Guehenno, the U.N. undersecretary for peacekeeping operations, who addresses the Woodrow Wilson Center for Intentional Scholars.

Tomorrow

• Jordan’s King Abdullah and Queen Rania. He meets with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and on Wednesday holds talks with President Bush. She promotes multicultural learning with a visit Thursday to the Calvary Bilingual Multicultural Learning Center.

Wednesday

• President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, who addresses the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars about the 1994 genocide in his country.

• Indivar Kamtekar, an associate professor of modern history at India’s Jawaharlal Nehru University. He addresses Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies.

Thursday

• Canadian Gen. Romeo Dallaire, commander of U.N. peacekeeping forces during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He addresses the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars.

Friday

• Tony Tam, deputy prime minister of Singapore.

• Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297, fax 202/832-7278 or e-mail jmorrison @washingtontimes.com.