U.S. invites Russian navy to participate in global missions

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U.S. invites Russian navy to participate in global missions
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Saturday, June 14, 2008

NAPLES, Italy — The U.S. Navy extended an open invitation this week to the Russian Federation Navy to join forces for missions on the world’s high seas.

Both marine forces have increased their presence around the globe. The U.S. Navy asked the Russians to join the Navy’s new maritime initiative, a plan much different from the sea-combat strategies of yesteryear — those of fighting in deep blue water to sink other navies or deliver missiles inland from the oceans. Now, focus is placed on maintaining safe seas, delivering humanitarian aid, disaster response and countering terrorism.

"The point that we brought out in discussions this week was that we highlighted our new maritime strategy and within that, specifically, the concept of global maritime partnerships," said Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, commander of Navy Europe-Africa plans and policy in Naples.

"We welcome seeing the Russian navy on the high seas anywhere, and look to any opportunity to increase cooperation between our two navies, particularly in global maritime partnerships," he said in an interview.

It’s an invitation the Russians received well, said Vice Adm. Dmitry Dmitriev, assistant to the Head of Naval Staff.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55551