Putin visit rumour sweeps NATO summit, French deny

RIGA, Nov 28 (Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin has not set foot in Latvia since it declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but rumours he might be about to come and upstage NATO leaders abounded hours before a summit of the Western alliance.

The International Herald Tribune newspaper, citing senior Russian officials, said on Tuesday French President Jacques Chirac was planning to invite Putin to join him in Riga for a private birthday celebration after the NATO summit tomorrow.

The paper said Latvian authorities had not been informed.

A source in Chirac's office said: ''No invitation has been addressed to to President Putin.'' The Latvian authorities were fully informed of Chirac's programme, he added.

A Krelin spokesman said he could neither confirm nor deny that Putin was going to Riga.

Latvian officials went to ground when asked about the mystery visit. A presidential spokesman referred reporters to the French presidency.

''Talk to Chirac,'' he said.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair appeared to consider it a fact that Putin would be coming, telling reporters accompanying him that he would not be meeting the Russian leader because he was leaving before the Kremlin chief arrived.

NATO officials said they were aware of the reports but had no confirmation. One thing was certain, a NATO official, said -- Putin was not invited to the NATO summit.

REUTERS SSC RK1958