NATO names envoy to boost C.Asia, Caucasus links

BRUSSELS, Sept 15 (Reuters) – NATO appointed U.S. diplomat Robert
Simmons on Wednesday as its envoy to the Caucasus and Central Asia
to build up cooperation between the 26-member alliance and states in
the two regions.

Former Soviet republics in the regions, especially Georgia, are widely
thought to have been the focus of threats last week by Russian Chief
of Staff Yuri Baluyevsky to mount pre-emptive strikes against terrorist
bases anywhere in the world.

“We’ve discussed Russia’s relations with Georgia with Russia and
Georgia for a long time … We urge both countries to cooperate
proactively,” said Simmons, who dealt with Eurasian policy at the
U.S. Department of State before going to NATO.

“Our focus is on greater inter-operability with NATO, helping them
with defence reforms and consulting on issues that are of concern to
them,” said Simmons.

Baluyevsky’s threat followed a Chechen rebel siege of a school in
the town of Beslan in Russia’s southern region of North Ossetia in
which more than 300 people — half of them children — were killed.

Moscow has traditionally seen the Caucasus and Central Asia as within
its sphere of influence.

The Caucasus states of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan have joined
a European Union programme to boost ties.

09/15/04 13:43 ET