NATO seeks Russia's help in Afghanistan

NATO official MOSCOW, March 5 (AFP): A senior NATO official said here on Wednesday the alliance was seeking Russia's help in Afghanistan, particularly with transporting NATO forces and equipping the Afghan army. Robert Simmons, NATO's special envoy for the Caucasus and Central Asia, told journalists Russian help could include “regular use of Russian transport to get supplies to NATO forces in Afghanistan, possible Russian contributions to the re-equipment of the Afghan army.” He said NATO and Russia had “common ground” on Afghanistan and that he would hold discussions with Russian officials on possible help from Moscow. Russia's President Vladimir Putin is due to attend a summit NATO in Romania on April 2-4.