U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visits Moscow today for talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov following a four-nation tour of Central Asia.

 Mr. Rumsfeld and Mr. Ivanov are expected to discuss an arms agreement between Russia and the United States in hopes it can be ready for a May summit between President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
 
 

AP
Donald Rumsfeld with Kazakstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev

 Kazakh Defense Minister General Mukhtar Altynbayev said Astana plans to sign a memorandum with Washington to provide emergency use for U.S. and Western warplanes at three airfields in the Central Asian republic. He also said Kazakhstan will send three military officers to U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida, which coordinates humanitarian efforts in a war on terror.

 The former Soviet republic has not provided troops or basing rights for Western warplanes in the war, but allows coalition aircraft to use its airspace.

Mr. Rumsfeld said Kazakhstan plays an important role in the international coalition against terrorism. He arrived in Astana after a stopover in Turkmenistan, where he thanked President Saparmurat Niyazov for allowing U.S. and allied planes to use Turkmen airspace and providing key humanitarian aid for thousands of displaced residents inside war-torn Afghanistan.

 Defense Minister Rumsfeld also discussed Turkmen participation in the NATO program "Partnership for Peace" and technical assistance to the Central Asian country.

 The U.S. official began his trip on Friday with a visit to Kyrgyzstan. On Saturday he swept through Afghanistan under tight security for talks with U.S. and allied troops and meeting with the head of interim government, Hamid Karzai and governor Ismail Kahn.
 
 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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