Kosovo on agenda as Bush meets NATO chief

Kosovo on agenda as Bush meets NATO chief

The U.S. backs a UN resolution to ratify the province's independence from Serbia, but that plan is opposed by Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power.

Moscow has opposed successive enlargements of NATO into eastern Europe. NATO's likely expansion into the Balkans does not please Russia, but the Kremlin has shown even more concern about the prospect that neighbors Ukraine and Georgia may be brought into the alliance, the AP reports.

Russia also is critical of U.S. plans to install radar and interceptors in eastern Europe as part of a missile defense program, another source of growing tension between the countries.

De Hoop Scheffer and his wife, Jeannine, arrived at the Bushes' Texas ranch Sunday. After meeting de Hoop Scheffer's helicopter, Bush — relaxed and dressed in jeans and cowboy boots — climbed into his extended-cab pickup truck and drove the couples down the road.

Bush gave a tour of his property to the NATO leader. Later, they were joined for dinner by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, among other dignitaries.