Czech troops of the NATO-led peacekeeping force KFOR cast shadows onto a wall with old Serbian graffiti as they await a possible Serb protest at the Gate 4 border post near Mutivode in Kosovo February 28, 2008.
Photo: Reuters
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NATO Spokesman Urges Russia to Tone Down Fiery Rhetoric
NATO spokesman James Appathurai urged the Kremlin Wednesday to tone down the fiery rhetoric when commenting on NATO’s extension and on deployment of the U.S. missile defense shield in Europe.
"We have seen too much rhetoric at too high a level... we would like to see it dialed down," NATO spokesman James Appathurai said during the video-conference with Russia’s media arranged by RIA Novosti. "Fiery rhetoric does make the headlines and there has been a little too much of it," he specified.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has recently blamed on NATO the intention to substitute the United Nations. NATO has neither the funds nor the will for it, according to the spokesman.
When speaking about inviting Georgia and Ukraine to NATO, Appathurai pointed out that the discussions were underway but no decision had been taken. “Russian views are heard… but NATO nations are the only parties who decide on invitations,” the spokesman explained.
The NATO allies unanimously and firmly supported territorial integrity of Georgia, Appathurai said when asked about Abkhazia’s strive for independence.
www.kommersant.com
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