Putin seeks backing in missile debate

Chretien and Putin want existing treaties honoured

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated during a visit to Canada that plans by the United States for a new missile defence system could threaten international security.

Mr Putin made the comments at a news conference after talks with the Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chretien.

Mr Chretien said it was too early to assess fully the American proposals, but backed Mr Putin in insisting that existing nuclear weapons treaties should be supported and strengthened.

Both leaders also agreed to work together on trade and issues concerning the Arctic.

'Hypothetical plans'

As expected, disarmament was on high on the talks agenda of President Putin and Prime Minister Chretien.

Putin has rejected the US missile defence plan

Both countries are deeply concerned about United States' plans to alter the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Washington is hoping to amend the treaty to allow it to proceed with its National Missile Defence scheme, which is aimed at guarding against missile strikes by rogue states.

But Mr Putin says moves to implement a new system could threaten global stabilty. He said he expected Canada, with its proximity to the US, to take a mediating role.

But Mr Chretien said Washington's plans were "at least for the present - hypothetical".

Along with Mr Putin, he called for the Start II Treaty to be implemented fully as soon as possible.

Investment appeal

Disarmament aside, most observers believe the main purpose of Mr Putin's first official visit to Canada is to boost the two countries' economic relations. Trade with Russia accounts for only 0.2% of Canada's international business.

Mr Chretien has agreed to support Russia's rapid entry into the World Trade Organisation.

Both sides have suggested that Canadian-Russian trade is at a level far below what it could be.

Russian officials have said that annual trade between the two countries is at about $600m - or less than the daily amount traded between Russia and the US.

Corruption

Many Canadian companies eagerly invested in the post-Soviet economy of the early 1990s, but such investment dropped dramatically after Russia's currency crisis two years ago.

Canadian firms also complain that they have been adversely affected by corruption and red tape.

Mr Putin, in an interview with the Toronto Globe and Mail newspaper, complained that Canada discriminated against Russia by imposing high tariffs and other trade restrictions on Russian industrial goods.

The Russian president is expected to travel to Toronto on Tuesday to appeal to business leaders to invest in Russia.

Of specific concern to Canadians is co-operation in the development of resources in the massive Arctic regions that both states have, and both leaders pledged to increase joint efforts in the area.