New NATO Chief Calls for Russia ‘Partnership’
Says Afghan War Will Continue 'As Long as it Takes'
In his first public appearance since replacing Jaap de Hoop Scheffer as Secretary General of NATO, former Danish PM Anders Rasmussen called for a “strategic partnership” with Russia, whom he said the alliance shared several common interests with.
Rasmussen also said NATO should encourage Afghans to take responsibility for security in “most of their country,” though he added that the alliance was prepared to continue the war and support the nation “for as long as it takes.”
He did however say that he hoped the NATO force in Kosovo, which has been there for over a decade, should continue to be scaled back, and might at some point be out of the region entirely. Scheffer had previously vowed that NATO troops would remain in Kosovo.
Rasmussen’s accession to the post had been long supported by Western members of NATO, but his strained relationship with Turkey, whom he helped block from joining the EU, made for a somewhat more rancorous process to replace Scheffer than has generally been seen.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz
- Four Killed as Another US Drone Strike Hits Pakistan - February 8th, 2012
- Food Prices Soaring in Iran as US Sanctions Miss Regime and Hit Civilians - February 8th, 2012
- House Hearings on Balochistan: Pakistan's Kosovo? - February 8th, 2012
- Syrian Opposition Claims Massive Deaths in Homs, Clashes Reported in Daraa - February 8th, 2012
- Egypt PM: US Aid Threats Won't Stop NGO Prosecutions - February 8th, 2012
Pattonpaws
August 4th, 2009 at 10:55 am
If Russia will only consent to complete obedience, bristling NATO bases on Russia's border, strategic encirclement, "fair elections" and, and…well lots of other things, they can be a junior Nato member.
linuksman
August 4th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
The Nazi scum hoping to get Russians as cannon fodder like they did in WW2, may Perun guide Tzar Putin wisely this time and let the Anglo-American + satraps shed their OWN blood!
ericsiverson
September 26th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Inviting Russia to a partnership in Afganistan is laughable . Russia when under Yelsin did partner with NATO . As a matter of fact Russia's Yelsin ended the NATO airwar against Yugoslavia . Yelsin encouraged Milosevic to end the resistance in the Serbian province of Kosovo . Milosevic said if he pulled Serbian troops out the muslim terrorists will kill three hundred thousand christians . Yelsin promised Milosevic that Russian troops will be there and we will protect your christians . Milosevic agreed to the terms of the peace agreement and Yelsins promise . Wesley Clark our democratic candidate for president was commander of all NATO forces in europe at this time . when Yelsin's troops tried to protect the innocent muslims and christians wanting Kosovo to remain part of Serbia , Carks issued the orders to shoot the Russians . Yelsin was unable to deliver on his promise to Milosevic and Serbia . Yelsin and his new liberal democracy were done that very day .
When NATO destroyed Yugoslavia Russia imediatley changed governments and any ideas on trusting the USA or NATO . NATO looks pretty much like the NAZIs to Russia .
ericsiverson
September 26th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Rasmussons blocking of Turkey to get into the EU could be he is prejudgist against terrorist and muslims , They do seem to be changing the way the western world thinks and acts . Turkey has a very large population . Once the population of the muslims get to 40 percent in a country ,they try to take over the laws . Muslims would bring a little more morality to europe which could be benificial to the european heathens . Remember what they must do to infidels . I would rather live with non religious cannabias or head hunters . Rasmusson may not be politically correct . Turkey will get in and your heads will come off