| NATO officials are gathering in Germay for | | | | "I think the most important thing, if it does |
| their annual conference on security policy, | | | | come off, will be the presence of the Russian |
| which brings together high level defense | | | | president, Vladimir Putin," he said. "He is |
| officials from all the NATO member states, as | | | | going to talk about Russia's engagement with |
| well as representatives from other countries. | | | | the outside world, with NATO, the |
| One of the highlights of this year's | | | | international community and he is going to |
| conference will be an address by Russian | | | | talk about energy." |
| President Vladimir Putin. VOA's Ivana Kuhar | | | | |
| reports from Munich. | | | | Hunter says it is important to engage Russia |
| | | | and China as positive forces in the creation |
| More than 250 high-ranking participants from | | | | of global stability. |
| about 40 nations are gathering in Munich's | | | | |
| Bayerischer Hof hotel to discuss security | | | | "[One of the] big issues in the world right |
| challenges around the world. | | | | now - outside of the Middle East - is to draw |
| | | | Russia productively into the outside world |
| German Chancellor Angela Merkel will address | | | | and to draw China productively into the |
| the conference, as will U.S. Secretary of | | | | outside world, rather than either - or both - |
| Defense Robert Gates, who will deliver his | | | | of these countries going their separate way," |
| first major international speech since | | | | he said. |
| assuming the top defense post at the | | | | |
| Pentagon. | | | | Along with drawing many top officials from |
| | | | around the world, the annual security |
| Robert Hunter, a former U.S. Ambassador to | | | | conference often attracts protesters and this |
| NATO, says one of the most anticipated events | | | | year is no different. Police say they are |
| at the conference will be a scheduled speech | | | | expecting about 3,500 demonstrators to |
| by the Russian President Vladimir Putin. | | | | converge on Munich to protest war in Iraq. |
| | | | |