Putin meets US envoy

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has met the United States National Security adviser, Sandy Berger, in Moscow.

Russian officials said that, among other things, they discussed American plans to build an anti-ballistic missile defence system -- a move Moscow strongly opposes.

But they said Mr Berger and Mr Putin didn't discuss the recent trip to Moscow by the Yugoslav defence minister, General Ojdanic.

Washington had criticised Moscow for not arresting General Odjanic, who was indicted last year by the international war crimes tribunal for alleged war crimes in Kosovo.

Mr Berger is visiting Moscow to prepare a visit by President Clinton next month.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service