George Robertson: Bin Laden Is "Midwife" of Russia-NATO Rapprochement

NATO is seeking to cooperate with Russia and is hoping for an exchange of technology and arms. As a Rosbalt correspondent reports, this was announced by NATO General Secretary George Robertson at a press conference on Monday December 9. He said that while Russia and NATO had been enemies in the past 'today Russia and NATO are partners, who are facing the same threats and challenges and this means there are opportunities for overcoming the gulf which existed between Russia and NATO for so long.'

Mr Robertson said that the struggle with terrorism is 'at the heart' of cooperation between Russia and NATO. He said that recently 'Russia-NATO relations have improved a great deal: intelligence services are even exchanging data in order to maintain the dialogue.' Mr Robertson emphasised the need to intensify cooperation between Russia and NATO.

Mr Robertson said that international terrorist Osama Bin Laden had played a significant role in the development of Russia-NATO relations. He called him 'the midwife of Russia-NATO rapprochement.' Mr Robertson added that 'this terrorist's activity put an end to the Cold War.'