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Putin asks Vatican to help bring Russia into Europe

June 5, 2000

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin went to Italy June 5 to drum up business for Russia's ailing economy and to ask Pope John Paul II and Italian leaders for help in gaining Russia's political and military integration in Europe.

Fresh from intense weekend negotiations with U.S. President Bill Clinton over arms control, Putin appealed for Europe to form its own anti-missile defense system that he said would not breach the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. Such a system "will ensure 100 percent the security of all European countries, with the involvement of our American partners," Putin claimed at a press conference. "We have asked the Italian government to think about Russia's proposal."

Russian officials have broached similar ideas in talks with U.S. officials about so-called theater missile defense systems, which fit into the framework of the ABM treaty. "Russia proposed working with Europe and NATO to create an anti-rocket defense system for Europe," Putin said. "On one hand, it would avoid all the problems linked to the balance of force; on the other, it would permit in an absolute manner a 100 percent guarantee of the security of every European country," the Russian dictator claimed. But senior U.S. officials consider the option inadequate against potential long-range missiles from North Korea and Iran.

The former KGB spy called his stop at the Vatican "a very significant visit," which he insisted on making at the onset of his presidency. There was reportedly no talk of a Papal trip to Russia. The pope has what he considers a standing invitation to Moscow, but the Russian Orthodox Church has opposed such a trip. A Vatican spokesman did note the more positive tone from the Moscow patriarch, Alexey II, over the weekend, which contrasted with often harsh accusations that the Vatican is seeking to win converts in traditional Orthodox territory.

The Kremlin was hoping to escape Vatican admonitions on its war in Chechnya, and Putin succeeded in that. There was no mention of Putin's uncompromising stand in the bland Vatican communique that followed the 50 minutes of talks, including a half-hour one-on-one with John Paul with only interpreters present.

In greeting Putin, John Paul said, "I am very happy to receive you at the Vatican at the beginning of your mandate." The pope's spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, said John Paul mainly listened as Putin described his mission of enlisting Vatican help in "the process of integration between East and West."

Security was tight around the Vatican, with police stationed at major streets near St. Peter's Square. A police helicopter flew overhead as Putin's motorcade entered the Vatican.

Putin spoke of his dream of a prosperous Russia, on Russia's terms, saying, "We can count on a dignified future if we know how to unite the universal principles of free-market economics and of democracy with the unique characteristics of Russia." Italy is one of Russia's largest trading partners.

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