Gates' Russia visit complicated by Libya bombing

[March 22, 2011]  MOSCOW (AP) -- Fiery Russian condemnation of the allied air assault on Libya threatened to complicate Defense Secretary Robert Gates' meetings here Tuesday with leaders who are already at odds with the U.S. over missile defense issues.

Gates met with Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov before a scheduled session with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. But he was not expected to see Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who railed Monday against the strikes on Libya, likening them to "a medieval call for a crusade." Putin appeared to link the Libya action to the ongoing debate between the U.S. and Russia over the planned European missile defense shield, suggesting that it proved Russia is correct to heighten its own defenses.

After meeting with Gates at Russia's Ministry of Defense, Serdyukov called for an immediate cease-fire in Libya, saying it would be the best way to protect against the further killing of civilians.

Gates said he assured Serdyukov that the U.S.-led coalition was "going to great lengths" to avoid civilian casualties. "Many of the targets were in isolated locations," the Pentagon chief said.

He also told his Russian counterpart that he thought "the significant military fighting going on now should recede in the next few days."

Moscow leaders have said the proposed missile defense plan, which is aimed at countering future Iranian threats, could be aimed at Russian missiles or could undermine Russia's security interests. The plan, which is under way, begins with ship-based, anti-missile interceptors and radars, and would add land-based radars in Southern Europe later this year.

Russia abstained in the U.N. Security Council vote for intervention in Libya, essentially allowing the military action to go forward. But as the coalition pounded Libyan air defenses and military arms for the third day, it was unclear whether Putin's protest was public posturing or if it actually signaled remorse about the vote.

Meanwhile, even as the U.S. vows to relinquish the lead in the Libyan operation, there was discord in Europe over whether it should be turned over to NATO. U.S. officials, including Gates, have said the U.S. expects to hand over leadership, either to NATO or to the British and French, in a matter of days.

Turkey blocked NATO's participation in the operation, while Italy issued a veiled threat to withdraw the use of its bases unless the alliance is put in charge.

[Associated Press; By LOLITA C. BALDOR]

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