Preparations begin for US-Russia summit

The United States National Security adviser, Sandy Berger, has arrived in Moscow to prepare a visit by President Clinton to Russia in June 4th-5th.

Mr Berger is due to meet President Putin later today.

Correspondents say that, among other things, they are expected to discuss American plans to build an anti-ballistic missile defence system -- a move Moscow strongly opposes.

Mr Berger's visit comes amid a row over the recent trip to Moscow by the Yugoslav defence minister, General Ojdanic, who was indicted last year by the international war crimes tribunal for alleged war crimes in Kosovo. The Interfax news agency yesterday quoted Russian military sources as saying Moscow did not recognise the indictment.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service