NEWSLINK: Russia, NATO plan joint operation on Syria’s chemical weapons

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[“Russia, NATO plan joint operation on Syria’s chemical weapons” – Reuters – Gabriela Baczynska and Adrian Croft – February 14, 2014 – reuters.com/article/2014/02/14/us-syria-crisis-russia-nato-idUSBREA1D0Y120140214]

Reuters covers plans for a NATO-Russian joint naval operation in the Mediterranean to protect a U.S. ship playing a role in the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons.  The mission would be a cooperative step even as Russian relations with the West are strained over missile defense and Ukraine.

Russia and NATO are drawing up plans for a rare joint naval operation in the Mediterranean to protect the U.S. ship that will destroy Syria’s deadliest chemical weapons, officials and other sources said.

The operation would be a symbolic breakthrough at a time when NATO-Russian relations are strained over NATO’s anti-missile shield and East-West tensions are running high over Ukraine.

The Cape Ray, a U.S. cargo ship, will process roughly 500 tons of chemical WMD materials at sea, to avoid the dangers of dealing with them on land.  NATO sources reportedly indicate that a deal could be announced this coming week.

Click here for full article: reuters.com/article/2014/02/14/us-syria-crisis-russia-nato-idUSBREA1D0Y120140214

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