U.S., Russian military chiefs meet in Finland

[unhappycamper]

U.S., Russian military chiefs meet in Finland
By Matti Huuhtanen - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Oct 22, 2008 5:46:29 EDT

HELSINKI, Finland — The top U.S. military officer met Tuesday with his Russian counterpart — who led the invasion of U.S. ally Georgia — signaling a thaw in relations between the two powers.

Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Russian Gen. Nikolai Makarov, discussed Georgia, missile defense, and Russia-NATO relations, officials said.

The talks, at a secluded riverside mansion outside Helsinki, were the highest-level military meeting between the two countries since Russia’s war with Georgia in August, which strained already tense ties between Washington and Moscow. Makarov became Russia’s top military officer in June.

“The two men discussed a wide range of issues, including the future of NATO and the current status of missile defense systems in Europe,” said Kim Hargan, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Finland.

Mullen later called Defense Secretary Robert Gates, saying they had a “productive, businesslike conversation,” Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said in Washington, adding that Gates was pleased with the outcome.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_mullen_russia_102108/%2e