World IN BRIEF : GERMANY : NATO Backs Ties With Former Foes

NATO ministers endorsed a U.S. plan to form limited partnerships with Russia and other former East Bloc foes but stopped short of offering full membership. U.S. Defense Secretary Les Aspin denied suggestions that Russian pressure was behind the decision to delay membership for Eastern Europe’s new democracies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The plan was presented at a two-day brainstorming session of NATO defense ministers in Travemuende, Germany. It calls for military cooperation on joint training and exercises, possible peacekeeping forces and crisis management operations.