Top U.S., Russian military leaders meet

HELSINKI, Finland, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Nicolai Makarov, head of the Russian General Staff, met Tuesday in Finland.

The meeting at Konigstedt Manor near Helsinki was arranged secretly, The New York Times reported. It was the first meeting between the two military leaders since Makarov was appointed to his present position a few months ago.

Mullen said after the meeting that the topics he and Makorov discussed included Georgia and U.S. humanitarian aid to the former Soviet republic.

Makarov said the two discussed reviving the Russia-NATO Council by the end of the year, the Russian Novosti news agency said. The council was suspended when Russia sent troops into Georgia.

"It is important that we have a dialogue with Russia and sustain a meaningful relationship," a senior U.S. officer told the Times before the meeting.

Joint efforts by the United States and Russia to fight terrorism, narcotics trafficking and the proliferation of nuclear and other unconventional weapons were also discussed, Mullen said.