Gates eyes warmer military ties with Russia

[unhappycamper]

Gates eyes warmer military ties with Russia
By Anne Gearan - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 19, 2009 11:41:45 EST

KRAKOW, Poland — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he sees a chance for better relations with Russia with a new president in the White House.

However, he warned that Moscow is trying to “have it both ways” by offering help in Afghanistan while undermining U.S. efforts there at the same time.

Gates signed a new military cooperation agreement with Poland on Thursday, formalizing ties between the special forces operations of both countries. Gates praised Poland’s willingness to send troops into harm’s way, including about 1,600 in Afghanistan.

“As an old Cold Warrior it is a true honor to be able to sign this document on behalf of the United States,” Gates told Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich.

Poland is one site for a planned U.S. missile shield system that Russia has aggressively protested, but neither Gates nor Klich mentioned it during the brief signing ceremony.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_gates_nato_afghanistan_021909/%2e