NATO Chief Rasmussen comment on Russian help in Afghanistan скачать в хорошем качестве

NATO Chief Rasmussen comment on Russian help in Afghanistan

(17 Dec 2009) SHOTLIST 1. North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen arriving at news conference 2. Cutaway of photographer 3. Wide of media, pan across media 4. Mid of Fogh Rasmussen at news conference 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General: "I have suggested to provide helicopters, to train Afghan helicopter pilots, to provide spare parts for helicopters and fuel. So a comprehensive helicopter package could be a key element in a strengthened Russian engagement in Afghanistan." 6. Wide of news conference 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General: "I have received a positive reaction from the Russian leadership, no concrete pledges, but willingness, a preparedness to look closer into the possibilities." 8. Cutaway of media 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General: "We have a European Charter for, a Charter for European Security. So, we have already a lot of documents, so my point of departure is that I don't see a need for new treaties, but let me reiterate that of course we are prepared to discuss the ideas in the right forum." 10. Back shot of reporters 11. Wide of news conference STORYLINE NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Thursday he has received positive signals but no concrete pledges yet on possible Russian help to the alliance's efforts in Afghanistan. Fogh Rasmussen told reporters at a news conference in Moscow that he sensed Russian willingness to consider helping NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) in Afghanistan but that the Russian leaders had not yet made any specific pledges. Fogh Rasmussen told Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday that it was in Russia's best interest to contribute more actively to NATO's mission in Afghanistan because failure there would increase the threat of extremism throughout the region. He said Russia could help the alliance by providing helicopters and training to the Afghan air force and helping train Afghan police. Fogh Rasmussen said he would consult NATO's military experts once he was back in Brussels to determine what else could be needed from the Russian side. Medvedev has instructed Russian officials to study the NATO chief's proposals, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday. Russia currently is helping train 21 Afghan drug police officers at a facility outside Moscow in a joint project with NATO, and next year it will train 220 Afghan policemen, Lavrov said. Fogh Rasmussen said he told Russia's leaders that the alliance saw no need for Russia's proposed European security treaty. "We have a European Charter for, a Charter for European Security," he told reporters. "We have already a lot of documents, so my point of departure is that I don't see a need for new treaties." He added, though, that NATO was prepared to discuss Russia's proposals at "the right forum," which it believes should be the 56-member Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Medvedev has been trying to sell the idea of an overarching security pact to Europe and the US since he took office in May 2008, but has met a lukewarm reception. Western leaders have politely expressed interest, but asked for more details and warned there is no need to replace existing security arrangements. The visit was Fogh Rasmussen's first to Moscow since becoming NATO chief. He was due also to speak to Moscow university students later that day. Relations between NATO and Moscow have improved significantly since they were frozen for six months following the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...