Russian lawmaker discourages NATO talks

MOSCOW, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- NATO discussions with the Republic of Georgia will encourage it to plan new military actions, a Russian lawmaker said Monday.

RIA Novosti reported that Konstantin Kosachyov, the head of the State Duma's international affairs committee, warned against continuing talks.

"Holding further talks on the issue of Georgia's NATO membership encourages the current Georgian authorities to employ force in order to restore territorial integrity," Kosachyov was quoted as saying.

In April, NATO members decided to postpone offering Georgia and Ukraine the chance to join the NATO Membership Action Plan, a step toward full membership. NATO members promised to review the decision in December.

NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, heading a delegation of envoys from all 26 members of the Western military alliance, arrived Monday in Georgia to discuss plans for Tbilisi's future NATO membership and to meet with President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Kosachyov also said that the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe may recommend that Russia quit its NATO association if the delegation's powers are suspended.

"If a decision is made to suspend the powers of the delegation, I will recommend to the government not to remain in the Council of Europe," Kosachyov said.