NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson paid homage Thursday to Russia's World War II heroes before heading to Moscow for talks aimed at strengthening Russia's partnership with the military alliance. Robertson, who was to meet with Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov later Thursday and with President Vladimir Putin and other officials on Friday, laid a wreath by the eternal flame at the war memorial in the city formerly known as Stalingrad. The site of a decisive and brutal battle of World War II, the city is an enduring symbol of Russia's sacrifice in the war against the Nazis.

The visit comes at a time of improving relations between Russia and NATO, former Cold War foes. Since the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S., the two sides have begun to view each other as partners in the struggle against terrorism.
Speaking at a university in Volgograd, as Stalingrad is now known, Robertson said the old mutual suspicion is outdated. "I am aware that many Russians are seriously concerned about new members joining NATO. I understand this concern, but it is based on an obsolete concept of security," Robertson said. Bureau Report