Colin Powell says that Russia is not to be feared - AN UPDATE ON THE RUSSIAN-NATO MEETING IN ICELAND.

<> NOW THAT THE MEETING IN REYKJAVIK IS OVER, NATO IS FORCING RUSSIA TO TAKE A NEW LOOK AT THE PROSPECTS OF RELATIONS WITH THE ALLIANCE

The PR campaign over, NATO changes the tone. When the meeting in Reykjavik ended, NATO leaders and politicians made some program statements that were supposed to force Moscow to take a more sober look at its maneuvering capacities at its future meetings with European and American leaders.

When he returned to Brussels, NATO General Secretary Lord Robertson attended the European Forum and formulated NATO future tasks and objectives. Russia was never mentioned.

The main idea of Robertson's speech was simple: "There will not be a political NATO!" According to Robertson, there were healthy political forces on both sides of the Atlantic ready to "prevent transformation of the Alliance into a school of security via democracy. NATO is unique because it can transform political decisions into military actions." That is why there should be no illusions about a non-military "soft security" with an emphasis on humanitarian issues, economic restoration, or establishment of social institutions, or no "incorporation of the East".

Robertson's major practical conclusion is as follows: following in America's steps, Europe should arm itself and do so seriously. An average European NATO member spends 1.8% of GDP on arms while the United States spends 3%. Robertson urged European leaders to use the psychological atmosphere after September 11 and explain to the peoples that security demands more by way of funds.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell gave an interview with the British "Guardian" newspaper almost that same day. He urged Europe to become actively involved in the joint defense effort without giving a thought to the Russians' reaction. Powell reminded Europe that its fears concerning Russia's reaction to NATO expansion and Washington's withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Defense Treaty proved groundless. He called these decisions of the US Administration the major accomplishments.

Russia's stand in Reykjavik concerning the Baltic States did not impress Powell or Robertson. Russian diplomacy put forth conditions for the Baltic States' access to the Council of 20 but NATO states came up with an initiative of their own. An Estonian detachment will be sent to Kyrgyzstan as a part of NATO peacekeeping contingent. In the second half of 2002, Estonia will participate in 13 NATO maneuvers and drills.

The US Senate convened a hearing on support of the states to be admitted into the Alliance at its Prague summit. Senator Richard Lugar and other senators emphasized that the Baltic States were different from other applicants. "They have successfully overcome consequences of the illegal occupation that lasted 60 years and that the United States never accepted." The West will now pay its moral debt to the Baltic States. Every state will get several million dollars to complete preparations for membership in NATO. Senator Durbin said that their military infrastructure had not been in the best condition after withdrawal of the Russian troops.

According to what information the Nezavisimaya Gazeta has compiled, Moscow planned its major counterstrike precisely in the Baltic States, considering them the weakest link in the chain. It used discrimination of ethnic minorities as the argument. Unfortunately, the diplomatic protest action concerning the condition of Russian- speakers makes Moscow's arguments less convincing.

Last but not least, during the meeting in Reykjavik the US Administration announced that "Moscow had used Cuba as a bridgehead for proliferation of germ warfare technologies and for sending them to Iran." And Cuba and Iran are on the list of the states comprising the Evil Axis.